The Vasari Hotel began as a monastery in the 16th century, and was later converted into a gorgeous mansion in the 19th century by the famous French poet Alfonse De Lamartine, who purchased it and lived there before selling it to the noble Strozzi family.The property lies in a very quiet area in the heart of the historical and cultural centre of Florence, within walking distance of the city's most important sights and very close to the city's major congress and exhibition facilities.