Wednesday 25 June 2008

Florence Hotel La Gioconda. Description

Hotel La Gioconda welcomes you to Florence and into its historical building in the center of this beautiful city. Its tasteful and refined environment still echoes the adventure from which the hotel gets its name and that made it celebrated a century ago, when in 1913, in the famous room n.20, La Gioconda, the masterpiece done by Leonardo da Vinci and stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris, was retrieved. The hotel was originally called "Hotel Tripoli", but after the aforementioned episode, it took on the name of the famous painting.
During the course of the last century the hotel had various owners up until 1972, when it came into the expert hands of the Li Pira family who still manages it today.



Initially, Mario Li Pira, a man gifted with a remarkable competence in the touristic sector, took on management alone, and in 1989, intuiting the potentials, made the decision to undergo skillful restorations making the most of the historical atmosphere of the hotel, while emphasizing on modern comforts and the original structure, as well.
It has been since then that Hotel La Gioconda is among the best 3 star hotels in Florence.
It was in that same year that Mrs. Ute, wife of Mario Li Pira, became part of the management alongside her husband, adding a feminine touch which has contributed to render the environment of the hotel yet more welcoming and comfortable.



The Li Pira's ran the hotel alone up until 1995, the year in which their only daughter Tanja, after having graduated with a degree in Political Science, decided to join in the management. With the entrance of the young graduate, Tanja, the hotel underwent further transformations from a technological standpoint, resulting in one of the first hotels in Florence to have Internet. The three components of the Li Pira family worked together, side by side, up until 2002, when Mario, unfortunately, died.
Notwithstanding their sad loss, Mrs. Li Pira and her daughter Tanja were determined and, although left to manage the hotel alone, with fine touches and class were able to give it the modern and refined line that characterizes the Hotel La Gioconda today.
It was then, in 2002, that they decided to restructure the ex-new hotel, bringing changes to both the external and internal architecture, without radically changing the original structure. The furnishings and details of the 24 rooms and common spaces in the hotel were renovated, adapting the hotel to the highest standards of hygiene, sanitation and fire prevention, without altering the authenticity of the edifice.
Therefore, today, thanks to the indisputable management capacity of the two Li Pira women, guests are embraced in spaces furnished with simple elegance, cared for in detail and enriched with exemplary services and conveniences.
At the reception, open 24 hours, one can ask for any information necessary to help make their stay in Florence enjoyable; reservations for guided visits and excursions to museums and monuments. Also, fax services and, of course, Internet is available.
All guests can enjoy the common spaces of the hotel like the lobby and relaxing TV lounge, as they can the nutritious continental breakfast buffet in the modern hall where it is found.

Florence Hotel La Gioconda. Location

It is exactly because it is found in the historical heart of Florence that Hotel La Gioconda is considered, among the 3 star hotels, a top choice location for visiting the city conveniently on foot. In fact, its location makes walking in the center a real pleasure without having to think about stressful moves by car.
Situated in Via Panzani n.2, a limited traffic zone that connects Santa Maria Novella to the Florence Dome, the Hotel is only two minutes on foot from the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Church of Santa Maria Novella. The very famous Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery are only minutes away and furthermore, Hotel La Gioconda, is found in the immediate area of all the most famous buildings museums, and monuments of Florence.
Because of its strategic position it is chosen by those who prefer to shop in the refined Via de Tornabuoni, with its elegant shops and designer names, and in Borgo San Lorenzo, where the famous marketplace, with attractive and characteristic market stands, not only allows you to buy lovely souvenirs but handbags and clothing at reasonable prices, as well.
Because the train station Santa Maria Novella is only about 300 meters from the hotel, as is the bus terminal with buses taking you to and from the Florence airport "Amerigo Vespucci", arriving and departing from Hotel La Gioconda is really very easy. However, for those who wish to move around the city by public means of transport, there is a bus stop for all buses going through the center. Near the hotel there are bottegas and boutiques everywhere, open all day, while in the evening, historical eateries, characteristic wine shops and a variety of different types of restaurants for all tastes, make taking a stroll a pleasure for a simple and quick bite to eat or for a classic leisurely dinner with savory Florentine and Tuscan specialties, accompanied by prestigious world renown Tuscan wines.

Florence Hotel La Gioconda.

Charming three star hotel located in the historical heart of Florence, Hotel La Gioconda is found only a short walk away from the Florence Dome and Santa Maria Novella, and only a few minutes from the posh Via Tornabuoni and Borgo San Lorenzo, so, those who choose to stay in this refined and elegant hotel in Florence, can easily get around the most beautiful and popular vias of the historical center on foot, without the worries of a car.
The Hotel, updated with modern comforts and detailed services, welcomes its guests into a sought after historical environment where a typical Florentine atmosphere is united with an exquisite cordiality by the owner and selected staff.