Bavaria

Housed in a 16th-century building designed by the famous Florentine architect Ammanati, the one-star Hotel Bavaria offers a little taste of Renaissance living. A B&B feel, great location—on a pedestrian street around the corner from the Duomo—and Cheapo rates make this hotel a fabulous find.

The Bavaria’s 17 guest rooms are very large for the price. Their 18th-century frescoes and intricately painted wooden ceilings give the impression that you’re sleeping in your own personal museum. Beautiful touches like wrought iron headboards, antique wooden armoires and blown-glass coat hangers make up for the lack of amenities (no TV or A/C, but fans are provided).

The small bathrooms are mostly located outside the rooms. Some are shared, but rooms without their own bathrooms have sinks and mirrors, and some even have new stall showers cordoned off behind decorative screens.

Guests enter through a verdant courtyard, and a large stairway leads to the hotel on the second floor. Due to the importance of the building, all improvements must be historically accurate. Thus, walls in the entry were textured true-to-style, and ceilings in the breakfast room have been hand-restored.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but while it's usually pretty fast, sometimes the connection is poor. Be prepared, in case you were planning to do some work or make video calls to family.

The common areas are decorated (natch!) in Renaissance style, with dark red upholstery, thick wooden furniture and period Florentine artwork. The friendly and knowledgeable staff add the final pleasant gleam to this budget gem.

Breakfast is included. Note that the hotel does not have an elevator.