Just six weeks or so into its life as a luxury hotel, the Four Seasons Florence is getting very impressive feedback: almost everyone gives it a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor and a recent write-up in the UK Times made it sound the best hotel the reviewer had ever stayed at.

It certainly has some historical and artistic advantages over regular hotels, being created out of two Renaissance palaces joined by the largest private garden in Florence. There are frescoes on walls, cherubs on the ceilings and artworks galore throughout the hotel. It's kind of like going sightseeing around Florence but without actually having to go anywhere.

We were a bit scared when we clicked over to look at

Going old school with a runway show in Florence last week for her Resort 2009 Collection, the foundress of the wrap dress Diane von Furstenberg flashed the retro card with outfits based on her own hotel travels.

Entitled "La Petite Valise," the collection's focus on dressing for the destination comes through with primary Riviera stripes and zigzags, bathing beauty swimsuits that scream "lounging on the lido," and a dress with the pattern of DvF's own passport pages.

Even though the entire show referenced the days of the grand tour, Furstenberg deemed a portion of it "the Hotel Life," flashing outfits of Wedgwood blue and a hotel key pattern directly influenced by the style of The Claridge's Hotel

Twice a year, the world's best dressed descend on New York, London, Milan and other world couture centers to check out what they can buy--and what we will pick up in knockoff form at H&M. But some rogue organizations are changing the game by assembling "pre-season" shows that give fashionistas an early peek at the fall collections.

Right now, designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Tarina Tarantino and Yigal Azrouel have their wares on display at the Pitti W_Woman Precollection trade show in Florence.

Just like with spring training, pre-season allows die-hard fashion fans to get a jump on what their favorite designers are planning to unroll--and hey, if a trip to Italy is involved, that's just a bonus.

Related Stories:
· Pitti W_Woman Precollection [Official Site]
· Florence Cashes in on "Pre-Season Fashion Wave [AP, via Yahoo]
· Fashion Travel: YSL Exhibit Cheaper than Ready-to-Wear [Jaunted]

[Photo: charis8803]

[Antica Johlea]

We warned you that the Florence hotel scene is pricey, whatever you do and wherever you stay. Blame the tourists and the forces of economics.

Your best bet for a budget stay in style and comfort near the centre of town is probably a residenza, a B&B-style hotel run by private owners. Don't sniff - it's a great way (the only way) to get a friendly welcome, super service and a reasonable bill at the end of the trip.

One of the best, or rather five of the best, of the residenze is the Johanna & Johlea chain of mini-hotels owned by Lea Gulmanelli and Johanan Vitta, a Florentine couple who've been in the business

What did we say about staying away from the centre of Florence?

Only if you're on a budget. If you're not and you want to flash your cash in the shops and slap-bang city centre, take a room in the JK Place boutique hotel in Santa Maria Novella square.

There are only 20 rooms and the staff like to call it a 'house' rather than a hotel. That's going a bit far - décor is stylish and understated but undeniably Italian-design (Michele Bonan, if you're interested). Clean lines, simple colours and cute details everywhere. Breakfast is in an old internal courtyard which has been covered over by a huge glass structure.

Yet we're a bit worried

It's not just celebrity chefs that are getting in on the hotel scene. Fashion designers, too and they've been doing it a lot longer than the chefs.

Like in the fashion capital of Italy, Florence. The Gallery Hotel Art, one of Florence's first real design boutique hotels, is owned by the son of the Italian fashion designer Salvatore Ferragamo. If you like the hotel and have a lot of money, you can buy the clothes to match, in the Salvatore Ferragamo shop on via Tornabuoni (aka shopping street).

While we're on the subject of expensive Italian cities, let's talk about Florence.

Florence attracts two types of tourist and both tend to have money to spend: a) middle-aged lovers of history, churches and dusty nth-century religious art; b) fashionistas after the designer outlets and exclusive boutiques. It also attracts tourist type c - those who visit Florence simply because everyone else does.

As we know, hotels follow demand and an ample supply of money, and the Florence hotel scene is no exception. Here are the essential issues to look out for:

Usually,Thursdays are our Killer View days but we always make exceptions for other killer views sent to us by you dear readers.

This one was actually submitted to our HotelChatter Flickr Pool by Buki-rama who spent some time at the Lungarno Suites in Florence and woke up to this view of the Ponte Vecchio. Man, how we wish it were summer again.

Related Stories:
· HotelChatter Flickr Pool All-Stars [HotelChatter]

Eurailers heading to Florence will soon become familiar with the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. If you head out the right side of the station, take one left turn at the traffic lights and walk a couple of minutes you'll find the Hotel Aprile - Palazzo Del Borgo. It's a four-star boutique hotel run by a quirky Italian proprietor who grew up in the hotel and loves Florence so much he's even written a book about it.

Rates at the Hotel Aprile aren't too exorbitant despite the weak US$; in low season, a double costs €120 ($170) per room but if you're Eurailing with a group you'll get better deals for triple or

Plenty of hotels slip the word "grand" into their name, but just a few really look like they deserve the title. The Grand Hotel Florence, built in a former palace and with great attention to detail, is one that does seem to fit the bill. Nearly every guest review makes the point that it's elegant and comfortable and has superb customer service: sounds like grand to us. The hotel itself describes:

Antique décor pays homage to the apex of Florentine history. The Grand Hotel Florence's rooms reflect the intricate details of Florentine culture with spectacular frescoes, marble inlays and other decorative touches.

Frescoes get us every time. If you're traveling this summer, be aware that