Best Places to Stay In Florence: Nestled in the Tuscan hills along the banks of the Tuscan River, Florence is considered the “cradle of the Renaissance,” a place to explore remarkable art and architecture around nearly every turn. Discover centuries-old palaces, and museums with works by the likes of Michelangelo, Botticelli, and other masters, and shop for a wide range of fashionable items, including lots of leather goods. Of course, you’ll need a comfortable base for enjoying it all, which is why I’ve assembled this list of some of the very best options for your stay in Florence.
What are the best places to stay in Florence?
Florence has many wonderful accommodations, but some of the most unique places to stay are:
- Hotel Balestri
- The Place Firenze
- Hotel Brunelleschi
- Gallery Art Hotel
- Grand Hotel Minerva
- Hotel Savoy
- Hotel Santa Maria Novella
- Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
- The Westin Excelsior
Each of these hotels offers something unique for every visitor to Florence. Keep reading for a full breakdown of each one!
Hotel Balestri
You’ll be in the heart of the action with a stay at Hotel Balestri. Set along the Arno River, it sits within an 18th-century building, remodeled with inspiration from 1930s glamour.
It’s just a five-minute walk from the iconic Ponte Vecchio arch bridge and the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most renowned museums while the trendy Oltrarno District with its endless array of restaurants, bars, and independent boutiques is within a short walk as well.
The top floor terrace is the place to be for sipping prosecco with a breathtaking river view although that view can be enjoyed from more than half the rooms too.
All feature impressive amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and luxe bathrooms with heated towel racks and rainfall showers. Room service and a complimentary breakfast with hot-and-cold dishes are included too.
The Place Firenze
One of the city’s most stylish hotels, The Place was Italy’s first boutique property, and it feels more like a home, albeit one that was owned by someone very well-traveled.
Guests get a free copy of manager Claudio Meli’s J.K. Essential Guide to Florence in which he details Florence’s must-sees, while the JK Lounge hosts a generous breakfast spread along with tasty lunches and dinners, enjoyed indoors or out.
Rooms circle the internal courtyard and include luxury amenities, including marble bathrooms with custom-made Florentine perfumes, plush robes, well-stocked minibars with complimentary snacks and drinks, flat-screen TVs, and cashmere throws.
Hotel Brunelleschi
Hotel Brunelleschi is a highly rated luxury property with a rich history set within a building that includes the Torre La Pagliazza. This tower dates back to the 6th century as the city’s oldest intact structure, which is fully incorporated into the design.
Its tower suite is the ultimate room to book as the only one in the Byzantine tower. Spread over two stories, it boasts unrivaled views of the Florence Cathedral, a world-renowned architectural masterpiece.
Suites also come with upgraded amenities like complimentary air transfers, packing assistance, and clothes pressing. Standards include canopy beds with ultra-soft Italian linens and flat-screen TVs, with various views from Giotto’s Bell Tower to the shopping streets below.
While you’ll be close to countless enticing eateries, the on-site Ristorante Santa Elisabetta is a highlight here, offering romantic fine dining on innovated Italian-inspired fare. Traditional Tuscan dishes can be enjoyed at the hotel’s Osteria Della Pagliazza.
Gallery Art Hotel
Perfectly complementing the city’s art, the Gallery Art Hotel is an elegant, upscale boutique hotel that doubles as a contemporary art space with rotating art exhibits, while Uffizi Gallery is just a few minutes’ walk away.
It sits along the Arno River behind the Ponte Vecchio bridge and hosts beautiful rooms with amenities like minibars and Bose sound systems.
There are several Penthouse Suites with terraces for unwinding with awe-inspiring city views and room service available from morning through evening.
In-room massage and even personal trainers can be arranged upon request.
The Fusion Bar & Restaurant is highly rated, offering Italian cuisine and a sushi menu. At the same time, access to the spa, sauna, fitness center, and rooftop bar at the hotel’s sister property Continentale, just across the Piazzetta, is provided too.
Grand Hotel Minerva
Located on bustling Piazza Santa Maria Novella, close to the magnificent church itself, the Grand Hotel Minerva will put you close to everything from the Duomo to the designer-brand stores in Via Tornabuoni to the central market.
A landmark hotel since the mid-19th-century, a significant portion of the original building dates back to the time when it was part of the Santa Maria Novella convent in the Middle Ages.
Guests enjoy the historic character and luxurious amenities, including a seasonal rooftop pool, rare for Florence hotels. Relax in one of the loungers while enjoying the view and a cocktail from the poolside bar
There’s a small gym for working out or soaking in a whirlpool with a view of the piazza, while dining includes the La Buona Novella Bistro, which features Italian and Mediterranean dishes.
Hotel Savoy
A short walk from Ponte Vecchio and even closer to the Duomo in the heart of the city, Hotel Savoy offers an ideal location that’s especially popular among shoppers.
The San Lorenzo Market is just north, while the high street fashion boutiques are to the hotel’s east and the designer stores along Via Tornabuoni to the west.
The Irene Restaurant is on-site and offers dining on fresh Tuscan dishes, enjoyed on the terrace or indoors, while the adjacent Irene Bar serves tasty aperitivos and creative cocktails.
There’s also a gym in the basement, often referred to as the best at any hotel in the city center.
Most rooms showcase views of the Duomo or Piazza della Repubblica, along with many works of art commissioned from local artists. Other notable amenities include interactive TVs, thick robes and slippers, and marble bathrooms with signature Forte Organics products.
Hotel Santa Maria Novella
Hotel Santa Maria Novella sits within three adjacent 19th-century townhouses, just steps from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
A boutique hotel offers a mix of antique and modern furnishings, with everything from historic artwork to relics from the Napoleonic era in the Napoleon Lounge.
Rooms include antiques and details like bed draperies, along with minibars, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs. Several have fantastic views of the piazza, including the Honeymoon Suite which has a direct view of Santa Maria Novella.
Other notable features include a rooftop terrace for enjoying a view of the church with a glass of wine, ancient ruins with a Roman tub in the basement, a sauna, and a fitness room.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Located in the Borgo Pinti neighborhood, far enough from the busy city center but close enough to easily enjoy the city’s attractions, with a complimentary shuttle provided for those who don’t want to walk.
One of Europe’s best spa hotels, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze enjoys a serene setting, surrounded by Giardardino della Gherardesca Park which offers a cool respite from summer’s heat, complete with a seasonal pool for swimming.
The spa has a steam room, sauna, and a menu of indulgent treatments, including unique options like the Chianti wine massage.
Luxurious rooms include comfortable beds with fine white linens, feather duvets, antiques, and lots of silk and velvets. Accommodation in the La Villa building comes with butler service.
The Westin Excelsior
The Westin Excelsior is a five-star hotel facing pedestrianized Piazza Ognissanti.
Set within a converted 12th-century mansion, it’s a short stroll from the Arno River and has played host to more than a few celebrities over the decades, including Sophia Loren.
The sixth-floor restaurant offers delicious dining with a 360-degree view over the city and the river, while guests enjoy an excellent breakfast buffet on the ground floor with dishes featuring lots of “superfoods” along with a menu of Tuscan fare.
There are many period pieces throughout, from antiques to stained-glass windows and an old revolving door while rooms include flatscreen televisions with pay movies, minibars, robes, and large bathrooms with separate showers and tubs.