The Best Hotels near Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo

Image by travelato eu from Pix

Just across from Florence’s main railway station, the church of Santa Maria Novella is beautiful both inside and out. It was the first of Florence’s great basilicas to be built and has an impressive liquorice allsort facade (the front of nearby church of San Lorenzo was never finished, which makes it look somewhat rustic by comparison). The area around these churches, and the fantastic San Lorenzo market, is one of the best places to stay in Florence if you’re interested in culture, and lively eating. And staying in one of our Guru-recommended 5 best hotels near Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo places you close to historic palazzi, grand churches, fascinating museums, great art, affordable trattoria and cafes and great bars and boutiques. And you're staying in the heart of Florence's Historic Centre.

Flickr user Bjorn S

Starting in the Santa Maria Novella you can see the Holy Trinity by Masaccio and a fresco by Paolo Uccello. While the San Lorenzo has some of the Medici Chapels and a stunning burial chamber. In the nearby church of Ognissanti you can see Ghirlandaio’s Last Supper, and the Chapel of the Magi has some beautiful frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.

Flickr user Kari

For a lively interlude from all that art and culture visit the market with its food stalls and affordable leatherwear and accessories. Plenty of local people use this area too, so it’s not just tourist tat on sale. And of course you’re within a short walk of the rest of the treasures of the Centro Storico, the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Palazzo Pitti, the Palazzo Vecchio and the Arno etc..

For designer chic

 

• Garibaldi Blu is a designer, 22 room hotel in a great location overlooking the church of Santa Maria Novella, five minutes from the Duomo and close to the station as well. The rooms are large and uncluttered, with some whimsical design features, and the best of them have views over the piazza.
• The Place Hotel is a chic, sophisticated, 20 room hotel - small enough for there to be a lovely, personalised element to your stay. The decor and vibe is boutique-y, and the comfort level is high. There’s also a rooftop bar and a courtyard dining room.

For romance

 

• Casa Howard is a chic B&B guesthouse converted from a Florentine palazzo. Owned by textile designers, their forte is very much in evidence in all of the individually designed rooms. With fresh flowers everywhere and honesty bars on each floor.
• Firenze Number Nine is a beautifully restored 17th century palazzo simply exuding glamour and luxury. The 42 rooms are decorated in warm, golden hues, harking back to the building’s regal past, and there are some marvellous frescoed ceilings. There’s also an expansive spa.

If you haven’t found your idea of the 5 best hotels near Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo on our Guru’s list you could:

• Browse through our list of all the Best Places to stay in Florence?
• Or consider our Guru’s collection of the best hotels around the Piazza della Signoria? or the best hotels in Florence's Historic Centre?
• Or you might want to consider one of the 10 Best B&Bs in Florence?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.