Fodor's Expert Review Casa Howard

Whatever you do, don’t call this property a hotel. For this guesthouse is anything but. What it is, however, is one of the most unique, funky, and eclectic abodes that you’ll find in Florence. There are hidden rooms under stairwells and through bookcases, there’s shocking and alluring art, and there are owners and a staff who are fun and completely unpretentious.

Depending on the season, the owners are known to give guests some olive oil as a gift.

room

No two rooms are alike. There’s the camel room appropriately named for Joe hanging on the wall and the only room where you can smoke. There’s a kid’s room that has its own climbing wall. A dog room comes with a patio. The Oriental room has odes of inspiration for lascivious travelers. And so on. Definitely comb through their website to get a complete feel.

bathroom

Like the bedrooms, the bathrooms are unique as well. Some come with heated wooden floors for toasty toes on cold mornings. In all bathrooms, there are top-rate bath products by local company Santa Maria Novella.

lobby

The guest house is an M.C. Escher maze of rooms, stairs, and hallways. There’s really not much of a lobby per se.

dining

Guests are treated to breakfast inside their rooms with fresh croissants, toast, homemade jams, tea and coffee. Formerly a hammam, a ground floor room has been converted into an intimate dining spot with classic Roman dishes that rival the best kitchens in Italy.

Want to learn how it’s done? Ask the staff about cooking lessons.

drinking

Inside the converted hammam is a stellar wine rack with classic Tuscan specialties to go along with your dinner. There’s no formal bar though.