Breathtaking views, plenty of space, and old world elegance make the Villa Acacia a special spot to use as home base for day trips into t Florence and the surrounding countryside and hill towns, particularly for a large group – there were 12 of us, ages 7-75. Comforts include: numerous and beautifully renovated bathrooms, comfortable beds and top quality bed linens, ceiling fans and the option for air conditioning in each bedroom, and a nice laundry facility. The pool is a highlight! So refreshing and absolutely essential for cooling off after a day in the summer heat spent walking in the city. The city bus runs frequently and stops conveniently near the villa. While the Villa is artfully situated on a steep hill overlooking Florence, with visual privacy provided by stone walls and lush plantings, it is between two streets and their ambient noise. The compact and rustic kitchen was adequate, but made it something of a challenge to prepare meals for our food-loving group of 12; grocery shopping was not as local as we’d hoped and we were glad we had a car in order to simplify that activity. Treat the delicate rollback/rollup insect screens on nearly all windows and doors with care (you’ll need them – at least in August).
Lorenzo responded promptly and with courtesy to all my emailed questions in the months leading up to our stay. Mario was friendly and super-helpful greeting us the day we arrived – even going out of his way to drive 2 of us to the grocery store in town. The “welcome dinner” was delicious and a treat for those of us who arrived tired and hungry on the first day.
All in all Villa Acacia offers the best of both – convenient access to the fabulous culture of Firenze along with a serene and restful retreat on the hill above. And it has to be repeated: the views are spectacular!