Residence Hilda

Designer apartments with kitchenettes and all the comforts of a hotel, slap bang in the heart of Florence

Smart hotels can mean lots of fuss - ingratiating porters, time-tabled meals, achingly slow room service and (worst of all!) other guests - which can leave you less relaxed than when you arrived. At the elegant Residence Hilda you get more privacy than at any 5 star hotel, more freedom than your own home, and you set the agenda.

Whether you want to party all night with friends, get up at the crack of dawn to be first to the sights, make your own breakfasts or stay in bed until teatime, this is the place. Here you can come and go as you please with your own pass key. With 12 carefully crafted suites over 4 floors, this tranquil haven is perfect for families and party goers alike. Centrally placed in a pedestrian zone 3 blocks north of the Duomo, this historic apartment building was transformed after an 18-month refurbishment. Interiors are light and streamlined, designer details conspicuous only by their restraint. The efficient and helpful front desk can book tours and excursions, restaurants and onward travel.

Highs

• Cool, minimalist yet cosy interiors
• Excellent central location for sightseeing, shopping and nightlife
• Fully equipped and brand new apartments, each with a bedroom, kitchen and living room (2-4 people)
• Your own 24-hour pass key
• No minimum stay length - unusual for a self-catering set up

Lows

• No restaurant or breakfast room, but a wealth of eateries on your doorstep, some with discounts for Hilda guests, others with food delivery
• No communal areas apart from reception, but relaxed anonymity is what it's all about - and guest rooms are spacious
• Note the restricted check-in times (if you intend to arrive after 7pm, you need to clear it in advance)