Villa LeonLori

The owner was lovely and had lots of tips, and we appreciated having a small fridge in the room. The air conditioning was okay, though not really enough on very hot days, even with the ceiling fan. Breakfast was the same each morning, eaten with the other guests around one square table. The B&B itself is beautiful, with a pool overlooking the Tuscan hills, and Florence is about a 15-20 minute drive away. Our room was tidy, but we found the bathroom a real disappointment: very outdated fixtures, missing grout, dissolved sealant, peeling paint on the bathtub, and exposed electrical wires by the bathroom light. Our room also wasn't one of the nicer ones. Some rooms have balconies and beautiful views. Maybe their bathrooms are in better shape, but I can't say.

The view was lovely, and the room was spacious with good air conditioning. But in summer the pool was out of service, so we couldn't use it. The landlady would come into the room after making the beds, sometimes when we'd only stepped out briefly, and we didn't know why. Getting there is tricky in a low car, since the road really calls for an SUV. The short access road could use improvement, though no one seems to be addressing it.

The GPS route from France, including Google Maps, may send you down a country lane beside a former villa where a medium-sized car cannot fit between the walls. Aim for Impruneta instead, then it's only a three-minute drive. The villa itself is peaceful, with spacious high-ceilinged rooms, free parking, attentive staff, and a great pool. It's about 15 minutes by car from Florence.

A lovely spot, and breakfast out on the terrace was a nice touch.