The Best Hotels in Florence for a Sophisticated Stay

Situated just outside the city centre, the lavish Four Seasons Firenze is housed in the Palazzo della Gherardesca in four hectares (10 acres) of lush Tuscan gardens. Inside, a sunny loggia boasts original reliefs and soaring stucco arches. Each of the 116 luxe guest rooms are individually decorated with tufted antique furniture and metallic brocades. For dining options, pair fresh cocktails with pizza by the pool, or enjoy dinner at the Michelin-starred Il Palagio restaurant. The full-service spa is the ideal way to fully unwind after a day exploring all the great things to see and do in Florence.

This classic hotel is in an impossible-to-beat central location, steps from Ponte Vecchio on the north bank of the Arno. Popular attractions such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Bargello Museum are just a short and scenic walk away through the winding Florentine streets. Inspired by the local haute couture fashion scene of the ’50s and ’60s, the interiors are decorated with retro-chic furnishings, designer textiles and of-the-era monochrome prints. The 37 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with river views, dark hardwood flooring, dove-grey walls and a kitchenette. When it comes to dining, Caffe dell’Oro offers traditional regional cuisine in a bright upscale setting. Highlights include the salmon carpaccio with dill and pumpkin ravioli.

Perched above the Piazzale di Porta Romana, Villa Cora is set inside a stately home built in the 1860s. With trompe l’œil ceilings, polished parquet flooring and vast chandeliers, this five-star hotel exudes luxury from top to bottom. Spread over three floors, the 44 decadent guest chambers range from first-floor classical Renaissance-style suites with four-poster beds and soaring windows to third-floor apartments with dramatic city views. In the elegant Le Bistrot restaurant, you’ll discover a menu of gourmet dishes using seasonal ingredients. These include pigeon risotto and line-caught sea bream with chicory. Learn how to recreate the magic of Florentine cuisine in cooking classes with executive chef Alessandro Liberatore, before taking a dip in the heated pool and relaxing at the luxurious spa.

Nestled in the picturesque Fiesole foothills, Belmond Villa marries Renaissance beauty with modern luxury. A former medieval friary, this hotel is a maze of rooms, corridors and stairwells that make use of beautiful original features; vaulted ceilings and wide arches are offset by a long loggia with time-worn terracotta flooring. Outdoors, terraced gardens offer sweeping views of the lush Tuscan landscape and a panoramic pool. The 45 fully-restored guest quarters range from rustic garden annexes with private terraces to indulgent suites with antique furnishings and separate living spaces. The romantic restaurant puts an upscale twist on the regional cuisine, with a menu featuring dishes such as amberjack ceviche and gently roasted lamb.

Conveniently located a few minutes from the Santa Maria Novella train station, the St Regis is a charming luxury hotel with a modern edge. It’s set inside a completely renovated Renaissance palazzo on the north bank of the Arno, within easy walking distance of main shopping streets and major attractions including the Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery. Polished marble hallways and frescoed ceilings harken back to the Renaissance era, but the 99 opulent guest rooms are anything but old-fashioned; they all feature canopied beds, iPhone docks and Bose radios. The Michelin-starred Winter Garden restaurant is best-known for the extensive tasting menu and the ricotta-stuffed calamari, all served under an expansive stained-glass ceiling.

Luxury hotel chain the Savoy brings five-star service to the heart of the historic Florence city centre. Overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica, and with the designer boutiques of Via de’ Tornabuoni and the San Lorenzo Market both a short walk away, this is the perfect location for those of you seeking serious retail therapy. Inside, marble flooring and minimalist white surfaces are offset by custom plush furnishings. The 80 guest rooms are grand without losing any sense of comfort, with soft colour palettes, bleached oak herringbone floors and pretty papered walls. Irene, the chic 1950s-style bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving Tuscan-inspired cuisine such as sage ravioli and prawn tartare in a bright indoor–outdoor setting.

The Hotel Lungarno maintains a nautical theme throughout, which is apt, considering the location it has on the south bank of the Arno, next to the Ponte Vecchio. Soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, marine blue accents and plush white armchairs give the lobby an elegant but welcoming feel. The 65 stylish guest rooms maintain the colour scheme but vary in size and shape; make sure to book one with a river view for the full experience. In the Borgo San Jacopo restaurant, you’ll find an extensive list of local wines alongside a classic northern Italian menu, including dishes such as spaghetti alla chitarra and squid gnocchi. Furthermore, you can enjoy the famous art scene without leaving the building; the hotel has more than 450 original works by artists such as Cocteau and Picasso on display. The front desk can even arrange a guided art tour as part of your stay.

In the historic heart of the city, the Porta Rossa combines 800 years of Florentine history with all the comfort and convenience of the 21st century. Modern deluxe furnishings are found within interiors boasting period frescoes, friezes, dark-wood panelling and stunning stained-glass windows. Elegant guest chambers are filled with intricate, antique detailing; you can even book a triplex suite in the accompanying 16th-century tower for unbelievable panoramic views over Florence. Start your day in style with an extensive buffet of sweet and savoury options, washed down with a glass of prosecco. The luxury continues with evening dining at the gourmet truffle restaurant Savini Tartufi; there, you can enjoy three- or five-course dinners with a choice of white or black truffles, truffle cocktails, and creative dishes such as fried artichoke and tomato gelée.

Just south of the Arno, Sina Villa Medici is a 19th-century palace transformed into an elegant five-star hotel. Grand communal areas effortlessly mingle antiques and marble floors with stylish modern furnishings. The 100 bright and spacious guest suites are tastefully designed; many of them have terraces or balconies with amazing city views, perfect for watching the sunset over Florence. Dine by candlelight at Il Gardino, a poolside restaurant dishing up regional cuisine such as grilled scottona beef steak paired with an extensive wine list. With a luxury pool and a fragrant garden, this villa is an oasis during the hot summer months.

This five-star hotel gives guests the chance to stay in a real Renaissance palace with unforgettable views overlooking the magnificent Tuscan landscape. A marble entrance hall, dark-wood panelling and stained-glass windows transport you back to the grandest of Florentine eras, while modern colour schemes and contemporary furnishings update the look. The 171 traditional guest rooms are bathed in a soft grey, taupe and white palette and three top-floor suites boast expansive terracotta tiled-terraces and glass chandeliers. The rooftop restaurant and bar, Sesto, serves a fusion of Italian and French cuisines such as stuffed cappelletti pasta in a beetroot pot-au-feu.