Top 13 best hotels in Florence: five-star places to stay in Italy

Romantic and fabulous Florence wins the hearts of many travelers from all over the world, and for good reason. Tourists have been flocking here for centuries in search of inspiration, pleasure, and an unforgettable experience, and this real museum and treasure trove of open-air attractions does not disappoint with its special atmosphere. Florence is filled to the brim with history, exquisite restaurants and cafes, galleries and museums that house the most valuable works of art.

However, even the most picturesque streets and nightlife can be exhausting, so you definitely need an oasis of calm to rest and relax. In this case, a selection of the best hotels in Florence will come in handy - from five-star chain establishments to cozy boutiques that are hidden gems of the unique city. Regardless of the choice, each of them promises a restful sleep, modern amenities, and a great base for exploring the "flower of Tuscany". All you have to do is choose your favorite option and embark on an unforgettable journey.

JK Place Florence

JK Place Hotel in Florence is a favorite destination for couples looking for an elegant haven for a romantic getaway or an unforgettable weekend. The stylish complex includes 20 rooms located in an attractive building near Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Inside the hotel you will find an extremely stylish and modern decoration, where oak parquet and antique fireplaces are harmoniously combined with mid-20th century furniture. Join the trendy locals who love to gather for the popular Sunday brunch and relax on the beautiful JK Terrace, which serves signature cocktails and light fare with stunning views of the square.

Guests can start their morning with a breakfast prepared using Tuscan organic products; meals are served in-room or on the lovely terrace in a cozy setting.

AdAstra

If you are looking for a truly special place, we recommend staying at AdAstra. One of the best hotels in Florence has only nine rooms, so guests will enjoy maximum privacy and almost personalized service. The apartments offer views of the largest garden in Europe, and the establishment is located in the bustling Oltrarno district, on the opposite bank of the picturesque Arno River. In addition, AdAstra is just a ten-minute walk from the Santo Spirito Basilica and Pitti Palace. If you are spending your vacation in Italy, we advise you to set aside a day or two to explore the surrounding Oltrarno district, filled with art galleries, cafes and restaurants, craft shops where you can buy an interesting souvenir to remember your amazing adventure in Tuscany.

The interior décor harmoniously combines different eras to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere, and some rooms even have free-standing elegant bathtubs. There is also a large terrace with a magnificent view of the Torrigianni gardens, where guests can enjoy a lazy breakfast or an aperitif. If you are planning a romantic vacation in Tuscany, we recommend booking one of the two rooms that are located right in the garden, which adds a special charm to the apartments.

The Moon Boutique Hotel & Spa

The list of the top 13 hotels in Florence includes the luxurious The Moon Boutique Hotel & Spa. The elegant four-star establishment embodies all the advantages and features of a fantastic city in the Tuscany region. With its warm hospitality and eclectic interior style, this hotel is the perfect place for a relaxing stay after actively exploring Florence with its many attractions.

The Moon Boutique Hotel & Spa boasts a good location, as Fortezza da Basso can be reached in just a ten-minute leisurely walk, and Santa Maria Novella Train Station is 900 meters away, which is especially convenient for tourists.

You can stay in one of the 23 rooms, which include large comfortable beds, TV, free Wi-Fi, rain shower and other amenities provided for a comfortable stay at the hotel. Of course, the hotel's excellent Blue Moon Spa is available for guests to enjoy, offering a large number of wellness programs to choose from.

St. Regis Florence

Located just ten minutes north of Ponte Vecchio in a romantic setting right on the Arno River, the popular Florence hotel occupies a carefully restored palazzo designed by Brunelleschi. The St Regis Florence takes guests back to the Renaissance, with details of which are evident in each of the 81 magnificent guest rooms and 19 spacious suites, elegantly decorated without being overwhelming. To maximize the experience, we recommend booking one of the rooms with private balconies, which offer beautiful views of the Arno. In addition to the river, there is a train station next to the hotel, in case you are traveling by train or plan to explore the Tuscany region.

Special attention should be paid to the full-service spa, which offers an intimate atmosphere. Each of the treatment rooms has private hot tubs. The St Regis Florence is also home to one of the best restaurants in Florence, The Winter Garden. The Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine.

Hotel Brunelleschi

Hotel Brunelleschi, as if stepped out of a fairy tale, was created from a medieval church and a stone tower dating back to the VI century. At the same time, the hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the famous Duomo Cathedral, in a small, peaceful square surrounded by restaurants, cafes and numerous shops. Santa Maria Novella train station is within the pedestrian zone at a distance of one kilometer.

The complex has 96 rooms, in which the designers managed to harmoniously combine modern and antique furniture. Some of the apartments feature exposed stone walls, while others offer amazing views of the Duomo Cathedral. If you want to get maximum comfort and space, we recommend booking a chic suite with a panoramic rooftop terrace and a hot tub.

There are two on-site dining options, including:

• Osteria della Pagliazza, specializing in traditional local cuisine;
• Santa Elisabetta, a gourmet restaurant with two Michelin stars.

You can also enjoy fine drinks at the Tower Bar. Other facilities available to guests at Hotel Brunelleschi include conference facilities, a fitness center and even a private pool. Hiking tours, biking tours and themed dinners can be organized at an additional cost.

Dimora del Cardinale

According to Charlotte Bartlett and Lucy Grinchurch, the heroines of E.M. Forster's novel A Room with a View, a trip to Florence is not worth a handful of beans if you stay in the wrong place. In order not to make a stunning mistake, we advise you to book a room at the Dimora del Cardinale. One of the best hotels in Florence promises magnificent views of the Arno River. In addition, the Dimora del Cardinale is characterized by the very type of traditional Florentine romance that is sure to impress connoisseurs of the above artwork.

The simple, yet luxurious hotel offers rooms decorated with elegant vintage furniture, ornate mirrors and religious-themed artwork. All this is complemented by impeccably ironed snow-white bedding and a well-chosen color scheme in the interior.

The Dimora del Cardinale will be the starting point for exploring the city's art scene, as the most popular galleries in Florence are within walking distance. In addition, we advise you to take a walk to the nearby markets of Sant'Ambrogio and San Lorenzo to fully experience the local atmosphere.

Villa Cora

Villa Cora is only 15 minutes from the always lively Ponte Vecchio, yet waking up here gives you the feeling of being somewhere in the heart of the picturesque Tuscan countryside, calm and quiet. The five-star hotel is housed in a 19th-century villa amidst a centuries-old park and overlooking the Boboli Gardens. There are 44 rooms available for booking, each offering rococo interior design details. Some of the apartments are located in the main mansion, while others are in two neighboring buildings, carefully restored to their former glory while preserving authentic details, such as luxurious bathrooms decorated with Carrara marble.

To escape the Tuscan summer heat, head to the large outdoor pool surrounded by a lush garden that includes more than 100 species of roses. To maximize your relaxation, we recommend visiting the Bené Spa, which offers the following facilities

• sauna
• roman-style baths;
• hammam
• wellness programs;
• a wide range of treatments developed in collaboration with the famous London specialist Sarah Chapman.

We advise you not to miss the massage, which uses products from the historic pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. There is also a large gym on the territory of Villa Cora, but if you want to work out in the open air, you can run in the fresh air or take a walk to the famous Piazzale Michelangelo observation deck.

For panoramic views, head to the Bellevue Roof Terrace at sunset. After a few refreshing cocktails, it's time to dine at Le Bistrot, a restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine. If you want to explore the city, take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service that takes guests to the historic center of Florence in minutes.

Palazzo di Camugliano

For a taste of true aristocratic living, head to this luxury Florence hotel that's just a seven-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo, just far enough away that the hustle and bustle of the popular location won't interfere with your vacation. The Palazzo di Camugliano occupies a building dating back to the 16th century, which was the family residence of a marquis. The hotel impresses with luxurious interiors, such as you would expect from such a place - with polished parquet floors, frescoed ceilings, antique furniture and even a charming hanging garden.

The Palazzo di Camugliano has only ten cozy rooms, which enhances the feeling of tranquility and gives the necessary level of privacy. Guests are offered a delicious breakfast each morning with snacks and sweets served in the dining room. Complimentary afternoon tea and an aperitif in the evening are also available.

Santa Maria Novella Train Station is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel, while Ponte Vecchio is 700 meters away.

Relais Santa Cruz

Located next to the amazing Santa Croce Church, the amazing Florence hotel impresses with its majesty reigning inside. This is not surprising, because the Relais Santa Croce, owned by the Baglioni Hotels group, occupies a beautiful townhouse dating back to the 18th century.

The complex has 24 rooms and suites. Regardless of the configuration, the apartments are characterized by a restrained and modern elegance that suits the venerable historical building. Rooms feature antique furnishings and fine fabrics; some include spacious walk-in closets, bathrooms with rain showers, or even a private sauna or Turkish bath. Wi-Fi works well throughout the hotel and is free of charge.

To maximize the views and amenities, we recommend choosing a luxury suite with a private terrace; it offers great views of the impressive Santa Croce Basilica and the historic center of Florence in general. However, even if you book a standard room, you will have access to a majestic living room and a huge music room, the beauty of which can be enjoyed without limits.

The hotel has an on-site restaurant offering simple yet delicious dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The freshest produce is purchased daily from the historic Sant'Ambrogio market, which is located near the Relais Santa Croce. In addition, at the bar you can enjoy fine drinks from the Pinchiorri winery.

The courteous and friendly staff is always ready to help with organizing excursions, making restaurant reservations, or booking concert, theater, and other tickets.

Hotel Lungarno

Florence has no shortage of great places to stay, but Hotel Lungarno deserves special attention. Located on the south side of the Arno River, the complex offers stunning water views from most rooms. Travelers coming to hunt for popular attractions will be happy to know that the Ponte Vecchio Bridge is less than 100 meters away.

The hotel has been designed to look like a luxury boat, an effect achieved in part by the calm blue and white color scheme and the use of natural materials such as wood and leather. We advise you not to miss a visit to the Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo restaurant. Here you can enjoy dishes developed by Chef Claudio Mengoni, such as porchetta with shallots or porcini mushroom ice cream, etc.

Unlike many Florentine hotels, Hotel Lungarno demonstrates a more modern approach to the interior decoration of rooms and common areas. However, the main highlight is the hotel's own art collection, which few hotels can compete with. With more than 450 works by international and Italian artists including Cocteau, Picasso, Fusi and Cassanari, it gives the impression of being in a real art gallery. Accommodation options include 65 rooms and suites. Some of the suites are decorated in honor of a particular artist, such as the Francesconi suite or the Venna suite.

Grand Hotel Minerva

It's not easy to find a rooftop pool in the center of Florence, so it would be a crime to miss the opportunity to stay at the luxurious Grand Hotel Minerva. The four-star hotel is located in Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the train station is only 300 meters away, so you can spend your mornings in a soft bed instead of on the road. The city's main attractions are located nearby, including the Uffizi Gallery, Medici Chapels, Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, Piazza del Duomo and many others.

The Grand Hotel Minerva offers 97 stylish, modern rooms, so everyone can find an apartment to suit their budget and preferences. Some of the rooms are decorated in calm neutral colors, while others are more colorful.

The main highlight of this hotel in Florence is the swimming pool on the sixth floor, which is open from May to September. Here you can swim or just relax on a comfortable sun lounger, watching the iconic Duomo dome in the distance. In addition, we recommend visiting the hotel restaurant, which specializes in traditional Italian cuisine, and the rooftop bar offers a great selection of drinks and signature cocktails.

Portrait Firenze

It's hard to find a more attractive place to stay in Florence than the Portrait Firenze. The hotel is located right on the Arno, just a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio, offering some of the best views in the city. Portrait Firenze is owned by the Ferragamo family, which also owns the luxurious Hotel Lungarno. Most of the apartments offer views of the river, which can be viewed through huge full-length windows.

Key amenities available to guests include:

• butler service;
• private chef for in-room dining;
• access to an exclusive rowing club;
• toiletries by Bianco di Carrara by Ferragam, etc.

In addition, it is possible to visit the nearby White Iris Beauty Spa, located on the territory of the partner hotel Continentale, where Comfort Zone beauty treatments are available for an additional fee.

The hotel has 37 rooms, including a penthouse suite that can comfortably accommodate up to ten people. Many of the spacious, bright apartments include fireplaces and elegant sofas, as well as large living rooms. To be in the front row of Florentine life, we recommend booking a suite with a private terrace. As with any property owned by the Ferragamo family, Portrait Firenze is characterized by a special style, and the interior and decorative items have been designed and carefully selected in collaboration with local craftsmen.

To enjoy first-class Italian cuisine or Sunday brunch, we recommend visiting the on-site Caffè dell'Oro. The menu was developed by a Michelin-starred chef.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

When looking for a luxurious place to stay with impeccable service and the best amenities, we recommend choosing this popular Florence hotel. The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze occupies an extraordinary Renaissance palace that was home to Florentine nobility for five centuries.

Combining rich history and modern luxury, the hotel offers more than one hundred rooms, including seven unique suites. The latter immerse guests in the majestic past of Four Seasons Hotel Firenze through carefully restored architectural details and antique furniture.

Despite being just a 15-minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery, the hotel's extensive grounds, including an 11-acre park, create the feeling of being in a world apart, as far away from the bustling streets and hustle and bustle as possible. Of particular note is the former botanical garden on the territory of the Giardino della Gherardesca, founded in the XV century. Guests can stroll through its grounds, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, or spend time by the outdoor pool (the perfect choice after a busy day exploring Florence's many attractions). If you want to end your day in decadent fashion, head to the Michelin-starred Il Palagio restaurant for dinner.