Packed with museums, Renaissance palazzi and architectural landmarks, Florence is one of those historic cities everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. The best way to visit? Checking into some of its most character-filled hotels. Here are six to have on your radar.
Numeroventi
4 Stars | Website | Florence Airport
6 | Free WiFi; Picnic area; Daily housekeeping | 0
Piazza del Duomo, Florence; Uffizi Gallery; Bargello National Museum
Numeroventi is an artist and design residency first, and an untraditional boutique lodging second. Its six rooms are housed within the 16th century Palazzo Galli Tassi, and guests are encouraged to make their own breakfast in a communal kitchen. But it’s the interiors that stand out.
Large windows, frescoes and five meter-high ceilings are juxtaposed to a minimalist Scandi-aesthetic that elevates the whole space. Artists are given priority when it comes to staying, but if you’re able to snag a room, chances are you’ll have them as fellow guests.
Ad Astra
4 Stars | Website | Florence Airport
14 | Free WiFi; Terrace; Daily housekeeping | 0
Pitti Palace; Boboli Garden; Ponte Vecchio
Tucked away in the boho-chic Oltrarno neighborhood, Ad Astra overlooks the largest walled private garden in Europe, and it’s inspired by the concept of a hotel particulier (private mansion). Indeed, this boutique property feels more like a home than a hotel, with each of the 14 bedrooms different from the other—though all of them have claw-foot bathtubs.
Nineteenth century feats like frescoes and stucco-work are mixed with reclaimed furniture, vintage pieces and objets d’art personally picked by the owners, and the terrace is probably one of Florence’s best.
Ottantotto
4 Stars | Website | Florence Airport
7 | Free WiFi; Garden; Daily housekeeping | 1
Pitti Palace; Boboli Garden; Ponte Vecchio
Minutes away from Ad Astra, Ottantotto shares a similar spirit: seven-rooms over four floors, each blending antiques, colorful textiles and artful touches in a residenza d’epoca (a historical building) that has the vibe of a charming Italian home.
Which is exactly what it was during the Renaissance: first a baker’s residence, then a noble family’s house. That history still shines through the preservation work done by local architect Fabrizia Scassellati, though there’s no lack of modern comforts either: a small lift, a smart keypad check-in, and contemporary custom furnishings in each room.
Have breakfast in the small but pretty garden at the back.
Helvetia & Bristol
5 Stars | Website | Florence Airport
64 | Indoor swimming pool; Spa; Outdoor furniture | 3
Strozzi Palace; Piazza del Duomo, Florence; Ponte Vecchio
Florence’s oldest luxury hotel (it opened in 1885), the super central Helvetia & Bristol has recently gone through a thoughtful expansion and renovation, putting on a fresh face that caters to modern-day travelers.
The 64 rooms of the Helvetia wing boast old-charm digs featuring custom wallpaper and restored 19th century artworks, while the 25 new rooms in the Bristol wing are by designer Anouska Hempel, who’s brought in a more contemporary touch.
There’s more. The in-house F&B concepts are stalwarts of Italian gastronomy, while the hotel’s new LA SPA is the largest spa in the city’s historical center, and was built where the Roman time Capitoline Baths once stood.
IL Tornabuoni
5 Stars | Website | Florence Airport
62 | Free WiFi; Pet-friendly accommodations; Terrace | 1
Salvatore Ferragamo Museum; Strozzi Palace; Uffizi Gallery
Occupying a 12th century building on Florence’s ritziest street (Via de’ Tornabuoni)—IL Tornabuoni is the city’s newest five-star hotel, and the result of a design-forward renovation by Italian architect Andrea Auletta.
Modern nods to the Renaissance period are found across the hotel’s five stories, with the 62 rooms—many with two double-beds—flaunting velvet furnishings, custom-made wallpaper, and different color schemes depending on the floor. Signature suites take it a step further, with restored frescoes and period ceilings. The overall mood is that of a luxe Florentine abode, but with a thoroughly contemporary feel.
Don’t miss the private Butterfly Terrace and the Magnifico Cafe on the ground floor.
25Hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino
4 Stars | Website | Florence Airport
171 | Outdoor furniture; Fitness center; Pet-friendly accommodations | 1
Piazza del Duomo, Florence; Uffizi Gallery; Bargello National Museum
In the heart of Santa Maria Novella district, 25 Hours Florence offers a quirky departure from the city’s more traditional palazzi hotels.
The rooms draw inspiration from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, meaning some guests sleep in heaven (think white and blue hues) and some in hell (red tones and snake-like bedside lamps), though you’ll find the same good level of comfort in both.
But it’s the communal spaces you’ll want to dwell in. The property spans a lush greenhouse-like courtyard, an equally verdant outdoor patio; a cinema, and a library-slash-billiard room for rainy days. There is also a cocktail bar, and a cafe serving freshly baked goods by S. Forno, one of Florence’s best bakeries.
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