1865 Residenza d'Epoca

This chic oasis of calm in the Mattonaia neighborhood northeast of Santa Croce has the feel of a private home. Occupying the second floor of an elegant 1865 town house, the five bedrooms—each inspired by an author who once worked in Florence—were styled by Gucci-favorite Guido Ciompi: the purple Dostoevsky room has a mezza-corona bed; dreamy 'Henry James' has a claw-foot tub. Delicately frescoed ceilings, antiques, top-quality linens, robes and slippers are common to all. There are plenty of good restaurants and interesting boutiques in the area, and the wonderfully Florentine Sant'Ambogio market is steps away.