The Westin Excelsior, Florence

Location. The palatial Westin Excelsior hotel in central Florence, Italy, is located on the banks of the Arno River, within one kilometre of the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio bridge, Santa Croce church and the Uffizi gallery. Florence Vespucci Airport (FLR) is 10 kilometres away.
Hotel Features. Set in a renovated 12th- century mansion, The Westin Excelsior hotel has a grand lobby featuring marble pillars and floors, stone staircase and stained-glass windows. Neo-classical frescoes and Asian rugs.adorn the lobby, and the hotel has views of the Ponte Vecchio and surrounding Tuscan countryside.

ORVM Bar is an informal yet smart venue, with black-and-white marble floors, wooden tables and leather-covered walls and chairs. ORVM restaurant serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine made from vice seasonal ingredients.

The Westin Excelsior hotel offers five flexible conference rooms, business centre and wireless Internet access (surcharge).

The hotel has a hi-tech fitness Centre and a garden, and offers massages.

Guestrooms. Red velvet drapes, antique furniture and Grecian-urn art prints decorate The Westin Excelsior's 171 climate-controlled guestrooms. Rooms have minibars, Internet access (surcharge), laptop safes, satellite television and complimentary newspapers. Beds have down blankets and feather pillows. Dual-sink marble bathrooms feature telephones, bathrobes, slippers and complimentary toiletries.

Expert Tip. The Westin Excelsior hotel in Florence was once part-owned by Napoleon's sister. @