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Dear bene,
I'll be attending a language school in Florence this fall. I'd like to stay in a nice hotel that won't be chock-full of American tourists. Any advice?
Mary
Dear Mary,
We have the perfect place for you! Residenza Santo Spirito is in the Oltrarno, the residential neighborhood of Florence across the Arno river from the city center. The lovely hotel has just three rooms -- green, gold and silver. Two of the rooms overlook the Piazza Santo Spirito, which can get rowdy with Italian twentysomethings in the summer, but is a nice place to hang out in the fall, where you can enjoy dinner at a nearby Florentine restaurant. (We recommend Cavolo Nero.) The rooms feel much fancier than their 120-euro rates would suggest--with frescoed ceilings; terracotta floors; sparkling bathrooms, and breezy terraces. Writing about our favorite hotel makes us miss Florence -- have a great trip, Mary, and eat some gnudi for us!
Love, bene
* E-mail editors@benemag.com with all your wine, food and travel questions. *

