Florence has long seduced travellers with its Renaissance grandeur, gold-streaked sunsets, and a cultural legacy that would make any city blush. But beyond the domes and frescoes, a new wave of hotels is reshaping how we experience the Tuscan capital. The best hotels in Florence today strike a delicate balance between heritage and modernity: think frescoed ceilings paired with Diptyque bath products, or 15th-century palazzos reimagined by bold interior designers and quietly cool creative minds. There’s something for every kind of traveller: romantic boltholes tucked behind unmarked doors, high-design boutiques where the city’s fashion set linger over negronis, and grand dames with river views and Michelin-starred dining. Many sit within walking distance of Florence’s greatest hits yet feel surprisingly private, their inner courtyards and leafy terraces offering quiet moments away from the crowds. Here is our selection of the best hotels in Florence, fit for the every-traveller.
La Reserve
Grégory and Olivia Marciano seem like born-and-bred Florentines, but they’re 100% Parisian. In 2020, they moved with their three children to the Tuscan capital to begin a new adventure, bringing a touch of French art de vivre with them. On Via Santo Spirito, in the Oltrarno, they bought a rundown 15th-century building and turned it into six stately residences, opening on October 16th under the prestigious hotel group La Réserve. The interiors are by studio Gilles & Boissier, known for projects in villas, apartments and private yachts. And indeed, the Marcianos’ idea is precisely to make their guests feel at home in the historic center of Florence, with the Ferragamos and the Cavallis as neighbors. The renovation work was demanding. Beneath unremarkable false ceilings, they uncovered frescoes from different eras, which now enrich the custom-designed sculptural furniture, the 150 works of art and just as many antique pieces, and the art books that make both the private apartments and the shared spaces — the lounge, the library, the courtyard with its fountain — unique. Guests can cook for themselves or request a private chef, book room service from the typical restaurant Camillo, or take a cooking class with the chefs from Harris Bar. Then there are Grégory and Olivia themselves, true insiders by now, who suggest the right places and a few hidden gems, like the tennis court at their own home and an aperitivo by boat on the Arno. And of course, they drink champagne, ça va sans dire! SM
Collegio alla Querce
Just a few minutes from Florence’s bustling center, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection offers a countryside-inspired retreat set in a restored 16th-century estate. Once a center of learning, the property has been transformed by Analjit Singh of the Leeu Collection into an 83-room boutique hotel, artfully blending Renaissance architecture with refined, contemporary design. Florentine studio ArchFlorence oversaw the interiors, preserving historical details while incorporating rich textiles, handcrafted furnishings, and locally sourced art. Rooms are elegant and varied — some with frescoed walls, others with freestanding tubs and city views. Landscaped gardens, restored by Francesca Watson, cascade across four terraces, creating a lush backdrop for La Gemella, the on-site restaurant led by Chef Nicola Zamperetti. The menu pays homage to Tuscan cuisine with dishes like handmade pici and Chianina ragù, using seasonal, local ingredients. Guests can also enjoy cooking classes, aperitivo at Bar Bertelli, or light lunches at Café Focolare by the pool. WEBSITE
Numeroventi
Centrally located between the Duomo and Santa Croce, Numeroventi is housed within the early 16th century Palazzo Galli Tassi, a Signor palazzo as we would call it with high ceilings, original staircase and beautifully preserved frescoed interiors. The space is a studio and workspace for creatives as well as a boutique hotel that thrives within its simplicity. Six Suites and two apartments furnished with an artsy, contemporary and Scandinavian minimalistic approach which are the works of founder and designer Martino di Napoli Rampolla together with Andrew Trotter. Each artist leaves a piece of their works behind which is displayed throughout the rooms and communal areas and available to purchase.
Grand Hotel Minerva
Facing the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the Grand Hotel Minerva is one of Florence’s most quietly authoritative addresses. Part of the family-owned EM Collection, it occupies a storied palazzo whose Alberti-designed façade anchors one of the Renaissance’s most harmonious urban perspectives. Inside, the hotel’s common areas and 97 rooms and suites are defined by the modernist vision of Carlo Scarpa and Edoardo Detti, layered with works of art, historic frescoes and painted coffered ceilings. Mornings begin in an architectural landmark; the breakfast room is located in an interior design temple originally created by Carlo Scarpa in 1958. There’s a fantastic rooftop terrace complete with a pool, a well-equipped gym, an ancient roman bath and La Buona Novella restaurant where humble Florentine dishes are served.
Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo
In the quieter corner of Florence, up in the hills, Torre di Bellosguardo feels like stepping back into another century — quite literally, as the villa dates back to the 13th century and still retains its tower. This is the sort of place you stay when you want Florence but without the bustle, waking up to birdsong and sweeping city views instead of traffic noise. Rooms are filled with antique furniture and frescoed ceilings, the gardens are dotted with lemon trees and statues, and the pool, with its postcard-perfect view of the Duomo, might be one of the most romantic in Tuscany.
The James Suite Hotel
In Florence’s Sant’Ambrogio neighbourhood, a former convent has been quietly transformed into one of the city’s most compelling addresses. The James is the personal project of architect James Cavagnari, who restored the palazzo, owned by his family since 1971 and once his own Florentine home, into an intimate hotel with 14 rooms and suites. The result is deeply personal: an eclectic, layered aesthetic where colour, texture and light are carefully composed. Italian craftsmanship meets global finds, from North African carpets and Moroccan lamps to vintage Hermès scarves and Bugatti silverware, with no two rooms alike. On the ground floor, the 1564 Lounge Bar pairs velvet sofas, Murano lights and painted vaults with inventive, botanical-led cocktails. Nearby, The James Restaurant sits within a lush greenhouse, serving a seasonal Mediterranean menu with thoughtful dishes that balance comfort and creativity.
Hotel Hermitage
This charming hotel has perhaps the most dazzling view over Ponte Vecchio, especially from the fifth floor, where a cosy lounge invites you to curl up with a book or gather over a glass of wine and truffle-flavoured chips from the honesty bar. Each room is completely unique and unapologetically maximalist—think eclectic wallpapers, colourful headboards, and whimsical antique objects—while the bathrooms offer a sleek, contemporary contrast. Breakfast is served on the fifth floor, in a lovely room with the sunlight filtering in; there’s also a little balcony where you can take a seat and enjoy your food overlooking Palazzo Vecchio. At the very top of this six-storey building is Osteria Tre Panche, a restaurant open to both guests and locals, serving elegant, contemporary dishes with subtle nods to Tuscan tradition. The location itself is romantic; candle-lit tables are set under leafy pergolas, overlooking some of the most important monuments in the city.
W Florence
W Florence is breathing new life into the Santa Maria Novella neighbourhood, marking the area’s transformation into a vibrant hotspot. Housed in a 1960s rationalist-modernist building, the hotel has been reimagined by Genius Loci Architettura and AvroKO with bold, contemporary interiors featuring rich textures, Medici-inspired tones, and nods to Florence’s architectural heritage. The 119 rooms and suites are stylish yet functional, with marble accents, custom lighting, stocked cocktail cabinets, and thoughtful touches like wardrobe steamers and Bluetooth speakers. At its heart is the buzzing W Lounge, complete with a lava-stone bar, DJ sets, and live music spilling into a leafy courtyard turned modern-day piazza. Dining is a major highlight: Tratto brings creative Italian cuisine by the team behind Trattoria Contemporanea while Zefiro Rooftop, launching in September, promises golden-hour views and cocktails, and Michelin-starred chef Akira Back will debut his fusion concept.
Portrait Firenze
In the Lungarno collection, the Ferragamo family counts the Portrait, a five-star hotel brimming with charm, two steps from Ponte Vecchio. Here, the architect Michele Bonan has adorned the hotel with an aristocratic, contemporary charm that dances elegantly between the past and the present, preserving the elegant, moody aesthetics that also appear at Portrait Milano and Rome. Designed as an inviting home, the 37 suites are distinguished for the presence of wood and cashmere amidst grey, black and gold tones, reinterpreting the vintage style of Florentine tradition through a contemporary lens. Take a seat outdoors at Caffè dell’Oro from breakfast through to aperitivo, facing the Arno river while for dinner head across the bridge to the sister property Lungarno where Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo offers three tasting menus curated by Chef Claudio Mengoni. WEBSITE
The Hoxton florence
No tourist had really heard of the San Marco district until The Hoxton decided to up. But this lowkey neighbourhood is home to a number of quirky and top-rated places like the local Enoteca Bussotti or the delicious Antica Trattoria da Tito. The thing about The Hoxton hotels is that they are lowkey members club – if you’re a Hoxton lover, then it’ll be hard to sway you to stay elsewhere, and we get it. The funky headboards, the uplifting colours, the most beautiful vintage-styled bathrooms and the fact that if you’re single, you can slip into a shoebox room without breaking the bank. The Hoxton Florence blends Renaissance grandeur with modern design. Iconic architectural elements like frescoes from 1611, lime-washed walls, and an arcaded courtyard have been preserved and paired with bold colours, rich textures, and curated vintage pieces that celebrate Italian craftsmanship. The hotel’s rooms are split across two contrasting buildings: the main palazzo channels a modern take on Renaissance elegance with Duomo-inspired palettes and Medici motifs, while the 1980s Branzi building, designed by Andrea Branzi, bursts with postmodern flair, featuring vivid colours, clashing prints, and Memphis-style accents. The two are united by a lush courtyard with a central fountain that doubles as an open-air dining space.
Il Salviatino
Il Salviatino is the personal masterpiece of designer Alessandra Rovati Vitali, who fell in love with this Renaissance villa and reimagined it as a vibrant retreat of eclectic beauty and refined hospitality. Every room tells a story—filled with art, books, trompe-l’oeil, and handpicked treasures that reflect her creative spirit. Guests dine on comforting Italian classics while gazing at Brunelleschi’s dome. The five greenhouse suites blend retro charm with sunlit serenity, while the pink marble spa, available for private bookings, offers a blissful escape. Just minutes from Florence, yet it feels like a world apart.
hotel numbernine
Hotel Numernine is a fun, eclectic space that has been brought to life by the Ginevra Moretti. Each room and suite of the hotel has been designed with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting a harmonious fusion of traditional elements and modern comforts. There is everything you could expect from a hotel and more: a wellness hub with a cutting edge gym, treatments, sauna, steam bath, ice-bath, swimming pool and reflexology whereas, from a gastronomic point of view, head to Daisy’s for a delicious dining experience that is enriched on Thursdays and Fridays with live jazz and swing entertainment. Furthermore, with their avant-garde approach to bringing likeminded individuals together, Numbernine and Daisy’s collaborated with the launch of House of Nine, a member’s club that invites locals and visitors (there’s a special deal for those passing by) to attend social nights, special events, access to the wellness room, cigar room, card room and much more.
LUNGARNO
In 2017, after 50 years since its first inauguration, Hotel Lungarno was completely renovated and reborn, presenting itself in a guise of unparalleled elegance, echoing in the lobby the colour palette of the iconic boats on the Arno: blue, white and leather. The property takes you by the hand and and tells a story made of art through its collection of more than 450 works and its luxury rooms and suites, some of which have terraces overlooking Renaissance masterpieces. Hotel Lungarno is a true living room on the water where the Borgo San Jacopo restaurant – 1 Michelin Star – shines among its points of pride.
casa G
The Palazzo, owned by the noble Ginori family, was once the headquarters of the prestigious ceramics production and recently it has been lovingly restored and converted into a 15-roomed boutique hotel. Suffused lights, pale colours, vintage furniture, arts and fine textiles complete the rooms whereas the common areas treasure magnificent stucco ceilings. Savour a delicious breakfast in the morning before heading out to explore the wonders of the city.
Hotel Palazzo Guadagni
Imagine gazing at a wonderful view of the city of Florence, with the immensity of Renaissance beauty in front of you. Palazzo Guadagni’s terrace, the Loggia, allows you to enjoy this scenery while you stay in one of its rooms, brimming with frescoed ceilings, antique fireplaces and incomparable views of the piazza and Florence’s main monuments. This impressive 1505 building is only a short walk from the city’s most fascinating and popular sights: Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens, which can be reached by strolling among antique stores and ancient artisans’ workshops.
AD ASTRA
A splendid group of hotels created by Matteo Perduca and Betty Soldi feature in Florence, filled with history and immaculate design. AdAstra (from the Latin “to the stars”) was named after its garden – the Torrigiani, the largest private garden in Europe – which in the 19th century used to have an exclusive view of the stellar panorama. In the magnificent and refined b&b, each of the 14 has a unique view of an exclusive glimpse of timeless Florence. This place is the fortunate meeting of antique parquet floors, frescoed ceilings and exquisite Florentine charm. If you wish to stay in the heart of the Florentine Oltrarno, then check out SoprArno Suites, a boutique bed and breakfast wisely styled whereas, a short walk from the center, 14 rooms complete the OltrarnoSplendid. To complete the portfolio is the newly added Stella d’Italia located on Via dei Tornabuoni, where eclectic and colourful interiors welcome you to a palatial space.
THE PLACE
The Place lives in the beating heart of Florence and is surrounded by the cheerful whirlwind of daily city life, the vibrant local cultural scene and its priceless artistic heritage. This hotel boasts unparalleled attention to detail and is custom-designed for ambitious and discerning travellers who want to enjoy new experiences with an exquisite touch of elegance. Florence is unique and so should be the guests of The Place as they stay in one of the delicately but crisply decorated rooms.
Hotel Savoy
Located on the site where the Mercato Vecchio and the church of San Tommaso once stood, the Hotel Savoy features an extensive collection of artwork, including large paintings by renowned Italian artist Luca Pignatelli. Walking placidly through the building’s streets, you’ll be ravished by works by contemporary artists depicting shoes and hats, a tribute to Florence’s renowned reputation for craftsmanship and fashion. Luxury rooms, with stylish furnishings and breathtaking views, complete the setting for a dreamlike stay.
HELVETIA & BRISTOL
The Helvetia & Bristol lives within the walls of a magnificent 19th-century residence in the beating heart of Florence’s historic centre. This place is special not only for its strategic location, but also for the masterful way in which the renovation has combined the comfort of the present, with the splendour of the past. Indeed, it is the old-world charm that will make your stay memorable: the hotel boasts extraordinary Art Deco interiors, marbles, 17th-century paintings, and splendid original salons. The splendour of the past is also reflected in the menu at the Bristol Winter Garden, the hotel’s restaurant, where chef Pasquale D’Ambrosio offers dishes that bring back memories and a pleasant nostalgia. Where else to eat? Cibreo’s very own setting within the hotel and the final bonus? waking up in the morning to an exquisite spread by world renowned Pasticciere Iginio Massari.
Four Seasons Florence
The Four Seasons Florence is described as “An urban retreat.” It is not complex to understand why: the hotel’s private garden is a unique treasure of statues, fountains and ancient trees. After strolling through the foliage of the green space, you can relax in one of the suites, where frescoes and original architectural elements take center stage. Don’t forget to indulge in the ultimate romantic experience at Il Palagio, a Michelin starred restaurant which presents itself to diners with an evocative, suspended and intangible mood. Sitting before the background of large windows and heavy curtains, here you can enjoy the best seasonal ingredients, chosen to support artisans who work with genuine and ethical methods, enhancing taste and quality.
La Gemma HOTEL
La Gemma Hotel is located within the 19th century Palazzo Paoletti in Via Calimala, Florence. The building, designed by the Italian architect Tito Bellini, was formerly the residence of the Guild of Hoteliers and today acquires a new, fresh outlook. The Cecchi family has created a contemporary refuge in the heart of the city with 23 rooms and 16 suites all in an elegant, minimalistic design whose colour palette recalls that of the Duomo. Agave greens, blush and ivory paint the exotic details, ceramics and fabrics of the interior. During Summer, head to the rooftop terrace to savour a cocktail with a view or perhaps retreat to the Allure spa for an energising treatment followed by a dip in the jacuzzi and ensure to book a table at Luca’s, La Gemma Hotel’s heart and soul where Chef Paolo Airaudo (with two Michelin stars acquired at his restaurant Amelia di Paulo Airaudo in San Sebastian) takes an innovative and international approach to Italian cuisine.