Florence, with its elegant piazzas graced with marble statues, its priceless Renaissance art, fresco-covered palazzos and its wonderful Ponte Vecchio - the world’s most famous jewellery arcade, is a luxurious destination. The food is Tuscan par excellence, the art divine and city view a visual feast. And if you’re here to experience the finer things then our Guru’s list of the 10 best luxury hotels in Florence will help you enjoy the very creme de la creme in style. The big chain hotels don’t seem to have a foothold here, and the vast majority of the best luxury hotels in Florence are independent ventures, converted from some of the city’s finest historic palazzos and villas. And we think our recommendations for the 10 best luxury hotels in Florence are quite something…
For a city break
- Centrally located, yet discreetly tucked away on Florence's most fashionable shopping street, Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni is the one to book if you're looking for classic, unfussy luxury in a superb location, with the added bonus of a fine dining restaurant and roof terrace with views to die for!
- The Place Firenze is Florence's original boutique hotel and the years have not diminished its understated elegance and cool vibe. Superbly situated right on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, this is the one to book if you're looking for a chic, sophisticated stay.
- Hidden in between the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio, the Hotel Brunelleschi is a 96 room boutique hotel with chic rooms and its very own museum and Roman Baths. The design is modern, but built around an impressive old tower, which is actually the oldest structure in Florence
- The Helvetia & Bristol has been the home-from-home choice of the international elite since the 17th Century, with its elegant old-fashioned luxury and charming, classically styled rooms. There’s a Mediterranean restaurant with a view of the Piazza Stozzi.
- The Gallery Hotel Art is a fabulous design hotel in central Florence with chic rooms and suites with contemporary art and private terraces with views over Florence.
The Most Romantic Luxury Hotels
- If you’re searching for Florence’s traditional romance then the Grand Hotel Villa Cora is for you. It’s an exclusive, Baroque palace hotel, with a beautiful pool and landscaped gardens, 46 luxurious rooms and a deliciously promising choice of restaurants, from fine dining to bistro service.
For a luxury villa hotel
- Once a private home, the Torre di Bellosguardo is a beautiful villa which overlooks Florence from its hilltop position. If you appreciate palatial rooms with wonderful frescoed ceilings and four poster beds then this might be the place for you.
- Or, if you’d prefer your historic villa just five minutes from the centre of Florence, then the Villa Tolomei is the one to book. It’s a small five star hotel, set in 20 peaceful hectares of olive groves and vineyards, with wonderful gardens, a lovely pool and spa and a fantastic Tuscan restaurant.
Luxury hotels for a special occasion
- The Four Seasons Firenze has been converted from two beautifully restored Renaissance villas, set within an incredible 11 acre botanical garden with a high end pool and spa. The public areas showcase Renaissance art, the suites are decorated with only the best fabrics and furnishings and the restaurant has a Michelin star.
- The Palazzo Vecchietti is a 15th Century palazzo right in the heart of Florence. Dante called it ‘Paradiso’. It’s now divided into 14 luxurious suites and apartments with exquisite decorations and art, high ceilings and wonderful views.
Great Value luxury hotels
Experiencing Florence in luxury doesn’t have to come with a big price tag, and our Gurus have turned up several properties worth a recommendation.
- Antica Dimora Johlea is a six room boutique hotel with romantic, eclectic decor, which includes canopied four poster beds and vintage treasures. It also has panoramic views of the city, and the rooms start at €136 per night.
- Casa Howard is a chic and intimate B&B in an elegant Florentine palazzo with 13 individually decorated and themed rooms. The owners are a couple of textile designers who also own two similarly charming and unique B&Bs in Rome. And rooms start at under €100 per night.
Still not sure which to book?
