Piazza dei Miracoli Flat

We were art history buffs with no plans, so finding out we could spend the night in a former Medici Villa, just a couple of hundred yards from the leaning tower, was a real surprise. My family loved staying at B&B Antica Piazza dei Miracoli. We had an unexpected 24 hours in Pisa because of airport logistics before continuing to our holiday in Florence, and this was a last-minute, pot-luck booking. Franco, our host, was gentlemanly and welcoming, with just the right amount of distraction to bring out empathy, humour and interest. The place felt like staying with a warm, eccentric uncle. The facilities were charming, like their owner, and refused to be modern, sterile or predictable. It really set us up for the onward journey.

The huge, historic mansion is lovely and has a real sense of a bygone era. It was clean, had good breakfast and parking within the premises, and it's very close to the leaning tower. The one downside was the shower, which had no pressure and only trickled.

The rooms are roomy, and they let us check in early when one was ready. Breakfast was good too. For a quieter night, ask for a room looking onto the inner garden rather than the main street.

Staying here felt like stepping into a different era. The hotel is antique and historic, and the room had been renovated. It’s an easy walk to the tower. If you’re used to hotels in the US, the old-fashioned feel here is quite an experience. Recommended.