1. THE JAMES
Interior designer James Cavagnari has transformed his 16th-century childhood palazzo into a 14-suite boutique escape where English heritage meets Tuscan warmth. Once a convent, the building still retains the structure of the old Renaissance merchant courts: a sober façade, a discreet off-centre doorway, vaulted ceilings, and an internal courtyard that has remained untouched for centuries. Today, these ancient volumes embrace a new idea of hospitality: the entrance is a tranquil space designed to inspire wonder, where hand-painted walls in shades of sky and moss come alive with climbing plants, revealing the soul of a secret garden. Inside, expect rich velvets, vintage finds, and even Queen Elizabeth II’s original mahogany travel wardrobe as a showpiece. Downstairs, The James Restaurant serves elegant, earthy plates, while the 1564 Lounge Bar is pure mood—candlelit, velvety, and effortlessly seductive.
2. HOTEL SAVOY
Facing Piazza della Repubblica, the Hotel Savoy is no short of grandeur. Part of the Rocco Forte collection, this property has been recently redesigned by Laudomia Pucci, resulting in interiors that are both playful and polished: think marble floors paired with bold, Pucci-inspired prints, jewel-toned accents, and an atmosphere that manages to be glamorous without ever feeling intimidating. Rooms and suites are light-filled with subtle nods to Florentine craftsmanship, from sleek wood furnishings to fine Italian fabrics. Outside, the bustle of the piazza sets the perfect backdrop for Irene, the hotel’s all-day restaurant and bar, which spills out onto the square in warmer months. Here, you can relax whilst sipping a negroni and sharing small bites or, at dinner, taste Chef Fulvio Pierangelini’s refined cuisine inside a room that literally takes your breath away.
3. ST. REGIS FLORENCE
The St. Regis Florence is the city’s grande dame: a Renaissance palace designed by none other than Filippo Brunelleschi, transformed into one of Florence’s most lavish stays. Step inside and you’re met with a spectacular lobby of soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and frescoed walls that set the tone for a stay that’s pure theater. Rooms and suites are adorned with antique furnishings, silk drapes, and cinematic river-views (especially at sunset). Some rooms have sumptuous canopy beds while others have frescoed walls that feel like stepping into a Renaissance painting. The heart of the experience is Café Ginori, open daily from lunch through to 7pm, in which delicious bistro-style dishes are served on the famed colourful porcelain. We love the sharing concept although desserts? We advise you to order one per person. Guests can also indulge in the famed St. Regis Butler Service, one of the most thoughtful touches in town, ensuring everything from unpacking to ironing or in-room coffee is handled with quiet precision.
4. FOUR SEASONS FLORENCE
Spread across a Renaissance palazzo and a former convent, the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is nothing short of a Florentine fairytale. Set within 11 acres of the city’s largest private garden, Giardino della Gherardesca, the hotel offers a rare sense of escape just moments from the center. Interiors are opulent yet serene, with original frescoes, marble floors, and antique furniture balanced by the Four Seasons’ signature understated luxury. The resort-like grounds are home to a stunning pool, a spa that feels like a hidden sanctuary, and one of Florence’s top dining experiences: Il Palagio, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving contemporary Italian cuisine with finesse. Guests can stroll through gardens dotted with statues, then enjoy aperitivo in the cloistered courtyard or at the hotels’ Atrium Bar, renowned for its perfect Negroni.
5. PALAZZO PORTINARI SALVIATI
This 15th-century palazzo was once home to Dante’s muse, Beatrice Portinari, and it’s as swoon-worthy as its history suggests. Originally built by Folco Portinari—a prominent banker, founder of Florence’s Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, and father to Beatrice—the residence later passed to the Salviati family, who expanded and modernised it in the 16th century. Their lineage intertwined with that of the Medici, producing none other than Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, whose statue still stands in the courtyard. Over the centuries, the palazzo has hosted kings, poets, and dignitaries, and after a meticulous restoration, Palazzo Portinari Salviati has reopened as a showcase of Florentine grandeur. Independent apartments and suites feature soaring 18th-century frescoes, hand-painted details, and elegant drapes that whisper stories of the Renaissance. The property’s jewel is Salotto Portinari Bar & Bistrot and its fine dining restaurant by Chef Vito Mollica, where you can dine beneath original frescoes by Alessandro Allori. Even if you’re not staying, stop by for an aperitivo—the setting alone secures its place among Florence’s most elegant addresses.
