Hotel Casci isn't fancy, but considering the location (150m from Florence Cathedral) the rates are very reasonable and the owners, the Lombardi family, pride themselves on being some of the friendliest hoteliers in town. The exterior is unremarkable but the hotel itself is set in two villas dating from the 15th century, parts of which were once a convent, and the dining area and lobby have lovely frescoed ceilings. The hotel is set on a busy thoroughfare but the rooms are soundproofed and look out onto an inner couryard or the street outside; some are a little dark, but recent renovations have upgraded the furniture to lighter colours. The lobby area offers coffee and drinks, and an assortment of travel guides – the hotel caters mainly for an international clientele rather than Italians.