Brunelleschi Hotel ★★★★S

If you've read Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code', you may remember a pertinent detail about the ending. The protagonist is asking the woman he's smitten with when he will see her again. She invites him to meet her in Florence and adds enticingly: “We'd be living in luxury. They're giving me a room at the Brunelleschi.” And that was written before its 2011 refurbishment. This Byzantine tower-come-luxury hotel was a prison many moons ago. It's actually one of the most ancient buildings in the historic centre, and that's against some serious competition. Its unique structure and location – right next to Florence Cathedral – give this hotel top credentials immediately. But this wouldn't be enough to make it the extraordinary place it is today. From the moment we first entered the Hotel Brunelleschi, we knew we were somewhere special. Entering the building there's no mistaking the heritage status of this edifice. The lobby stretches out under a beautiful wooden ceiling. The original red bricks are exposed, creating a warm atmosphere. The curved lines and arched doorways add to the aristocratic atmosphere of the building.

Our room felt perfectly Florentine. The high ceilings, oak floors, and four-poster bed immediately caught my eye. The bed was draped in gossamer white fabrics. The room was mostly in white, with splashes of plum and light green, said to be the colours of Florence. Some of the walls bared their exposed brick. It was elegant, graceful, with a touch of aristocracy about it. Having the Duomo right outside our floor-to-ceiling windows was a potent reminder of our amazing position. Despite its timeless feel, there were all the modern touches the contemporary traveller expects: iPod docks, laptop safe, mini-bar and good Wi-Fi. The furniture was a mixture of traditional and modern pieces.

The dust had hardly settled before we were back out onto the streets of Florence. With all the main highlights literally on your doorstep, it's as though you can hear the Masters calling you. Returning from a long day of sight-seeing , our bathroom felt relaxing and luxurious, like our own mini-spa. The glass bathroom doors display a design of Brunelleschi himself, taken from the Pazzi Chapel. There are two restaurants to choose from, but I recommend trying both, as each has its own unique atmosphere. Both serve delicious seasonal Tuscan cuisine. The flavours were just divine, and the service was wonderful too. We finished off our whirlwind first day in Florence at the Tower Bar, a sensual and serene space. Where else but Tuscany can you be spoilt by the wine list?

Even after a day of feasting, the next morning I could still find the impetus to enjoy the breakfast buffet. The ingredients were of such high quality, and it was served in a graceful and serene dining room, with classical music playing softly. There are also bespoke options available, so I could have my scrambled eggs just how I like them. The Hotel Brunelleschi is now firmly in my 'top five hotels to visit in Italy'.