In March this year I was fortunate to have chosen Hotel Continentale while visiting Florence. The hotel is not a Four Seasons nor Ritz Carlton, but its service standard is totally up to par with the market’s big players. The entrance and the reception area are typical European boutique hotel style, small but cozy. We were greeted upon arrival by the ever-cheerful Ashraf, who helped us with luggage and offered us coffee and espresso while the delightful and jolly Alison assisted us with room assignments. We were assigned to two pleasantly designed and spacious rooms with a balcony that offers a pleasant partial view over the Arno, and were pleased to find the bathrooms were stocked with Ferragamo toiletries. During our stay Cristina of the front desk had given us useful information about the city and various transportation tips resourcefully, while the gentlemanly Leonardo assisted us with whatever he thought we might require, from ordering taxi to restaurant recommendations. In a certain evening Leonardo showed me to the hotel’s roof bar (which was closed during winter) that has a magnificent view of the river and the city’s landscape. Leonardo patiently and enthusiastically pointed to me the beautiful San Miniato al Monte and the Piazzale Michelangelo on the other side of the river, the orange dome of the Florence Cathedral that bathed silently in the gentle twilight flame, the Giotto’s Bell Tower next to it, and further away the unmistakably grandiose structure of the Basilica di Santa Croce. For breakfast, it was served inside a pleasantly designed restaurant opposite the hotel. The buffet breakfast is not as sumptuous as a Bangkok 5-star, yet the selections are decent and comprehensive, and the pastries are particularly good. Upon checking out, it was Roberto who assisted us with the luggage and taxi, like Ashraf and Leonardo, he was another pleasant staff of the hotel. Lastly, I must congratulate the hotel’s general manager, whoever you are, you and your management team must have done a wonderful job in leading and running the hotel, your efforts have certainly paid off.