The best hotels in Florence
Florence was on my last trip around Italy. It was between my stay in Rome and moving on to Bologna. My goal was to enjoy a lot of the history and also visit the wineries in Tuscany. I knew I would never forget it. So I decided to spend a little bit more money there. That is why I was checking out the best hotels in Florence to stay at. I did a lot of research, and hopefully you will find the perfect stay for you.
How we select the best hotels in Florence
We have family all over Italy, and very close to Rome. So they knew Florence quite a lot. They gave us a list of the top hotels in Florence. Then we did a lot of research into it. We were checking out if it was close to some of the sites, or was it nearer the Tuscan hills, so near the wineries.
We also looked at other feedback that other people had given. So we checked out the reviews around staff, the amenities, and comfort. We also looked for those that might have a historical character, maybe an old palace or maybe an old convent. And then we had a look at the more romantic options. Maybe a really good breakfast, a good restaurant, maybe a Michelin restaurant tied to it, as well as spas.
The best areas to stay in Florence Italy
I will start off with the best areas to stay in Florence, just so you do not get stuck in the wrong place. Because I remember when I was there, there were some weird side roads that you might want to avoid.
Historic Center (Centro Storico)
So you have got the Centro Storico, and that is the historic centre. That is pretty much the centre of town, close to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio. So here you are going to be close to everything you need to be, such as the shops, the restaurants, and also the nightlife. But it can be a bit busy.
Santa Croce
Next up is Santa Croce, and that is actually in the east of the centre. It is actually a little bit quieter. I walked down here, and it was more of a residential feel. It still has restaurants and bars. But I remember eating out here, and the prices were a little bit better.
It's home to the Santa Croce Basilica and close to other attractions.
Santo Spirito / Oltrarno
You then have Santo Spirito, and this is over the bridge, just south of the Arno River. Here it is a lot quieter. You really get that Florentine atmosphere, a lot of local eateries. It is also close to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens. It still had restaurants, but just not as many, so a lot quieter area.
Santa Maria Novella
You then have the Santa Maria Novella area, and this is right next to the train station, just west of the actual city centre. Here you will find a lot of hotels in Florence that are a little bit more compact. But it is great if you are just there for a day or two. It is perfect if you just want to be close to the station so you can get up early and go to the next town. A lot of various budgets, and it is still very easy to walk to the city centre.
San Lorenzo / San Marco
And then there is the San Lorenzo area, which is just north of the Duomo. We actually stayed there ourselves. Again, it was a little bit quieter around there. And they tended to be among the best hotels in Florence, Italy city centre in this area, because it is a little bit quieter. You will also be close to the Medici Chapels and the San Lorenzo Market. Lots of trattorias, which are local cooking, and also cafes.
Piazzale Michelangelo area
And then, just going back to south of the Arno River, is Piazzale Michelangelo. Again, this is a little bit quieter, but it is actually a hillside location. So you do get some nice hotels in Florence around here. It is great because it is more residential. But it does get a little bit tougher to walk around. So I would not recommend it if walking is difficult for you.
Best luxury hotels in Florence
So now I am going to get into some of the hotels, and we will start off with the best luxury hotels in Florence, Italy that I checked out. Here, you are going to get the absolute best service. There are usually spas at these hotels, and you get a lot of distinctive charm and history.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
We will start off with the Four Seasons Hotel, and this is actually the best hotel in Florence. It is five-star, of course, and near the San Lorenzo area, so a little bit more space. Just amazing, it really captures Florence in that room. I love the chandeliers in there. You can get standard rooms and royal suites, and they really are all designed to perfection with king beds in every single room.
It is also a family-friendly hotel in Florence, with babysitting and even kids' slippers, which I love. Apart from that, they also have an outdoor pool. It is small, but it is very exclusive to be at the Four Seasons, so it does not get too busy. And then they also have a spa, a salon, and a cool outdoor hot tub. But it does close at 6 PM, last time I checked.
Find out more information and check the prices for Four Seasons Hotel Firenze.
Relais Santa Croce
Next up is the Relais Santa Croce. Why pick this? It is actually built from a 1700s mansion, and it only has 24 rooms. This is one of the best luxury hotels in Florence, and it is very close to the old Palace. It is also in the Santa Croce area, as the name says, so you do get that more residential feel.
In terms of the rooms, you can see why I love it. It has got those vaulted ceilings, that Sicilian green style, but it is still very modern inside, and those beds are just huge. They also have a traditional Tuscan restaurant called the Guelfi & Ghibellini restaurant.
Find out more information and check the prices for Relais Santa Croce.
IL Tornabuoni The Unbound Collection
Next stop is another palace, but this time from the 13th century. It is Il Tornabuoni by Hyatt. And what I love are the rooms, so colourful, absolutely luxury, king-sized beds, and they have just 62 rooms.
In terms of amenities, they have a really nice rooftop terrace where you can check out the rooftops of the other residences around Florence, and it is really nice during sunset. They also have a couple of restaurants and a small gym on site.
Find out more information and check the prices for IL Tornabuoni The Unbound Collection.
Best boutique hotels in Florence
Now I am going to go on to some of the best boutique hotels in Florence. What I like about these is that they are usually a bit smaller, and you get absolutely fantastic service. Sometimes they may have a spa, but it is really about the service for these boutique hotels in Florence. Here are my top picks.
Portrait Firenze
First up is the Portrait Firenze. They are actually a member of the leading hotels of the world, so really up there in the best hotels in Florence, Italy. They are very close to the river, so think views from your room, and also very close to the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, so you can walk over.
The rooms are very large, and they have smart technology built in, so they have iPads, which I like. They also have their own spa, so you can really relax, and then they have a partner rooftop terrace bar that looks onto the river as well.
Find out more information and check the prices for Portrait Firenze.
Hotel Number Nine
If you are looking for something a little bit different, one of the best boutique hotels in Florence is Hotel Number Nine. What I love about this is it is actually a family-owned hotel, last time I checked, right in the centre of the city, well, just outside the city, near the San Lorenzo area.
In terms of the rooms, you can see vaulted ceilings, a little bit more of a traditional feel, but huge. And then for the services, they have a restaurant, they have Pilates, a spa, some treatments, and a gym. So everything that you need in this boutique hotel in Florence.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel Number Nine.
Hotel La Gemma
If you are looking for something a little bit more funky, you have got Hotel La Gemma. The reason why this one makes the best boutique hotels in Florence is that, as you can see in the picture, it is really fancy, different, quirky.
This is like a classic Italian hotel with modern amenities, and it is probably most known for being a spa hotel, so you can really relax and get a whole load of treatments.
The rooms are well decorated, you have got that green all throughout the hotel with luxury bedding, so definitely take some time and go to the spa because that is what this is known for.
And then they also have a fine dining restaurant called Lucas Restaurant, or you can go to the Lucas Bar for cocktails if you prefer to eat out. Well located, this is really right in the centre.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel La Gemma.
Best hotels in Florence with the family
Now I am going to be talking about some of the hotels in Florence that are great for families. Sometimes you forget about the little things like babysitting services, cribs, how far it is to various locations, and pools, games rooms, and playgrounds. Here is a list of some of the best hotels in Florence for the family.
The St. Regis Florence
I will start with the Saint Regis. This is just west of the city centre, so it is a little bit quieter and on the river. Most of the rooms themselves are luxury rooms, and here is an example of one that is riverside.
A lot of detail has gone into the Regis in Florence. They have a sauna on site and also massages after a long day of sightseeing, and they have a restaurant and bar with an awesome terrace where you can eat as well.
They also have nannies that you can book, and babysitting services, but you just have to advise the concierge team beforehand.
Find out more information and check the prices for The St. Regis Florence.
Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy
Next up is the Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy, and this is very close to the Duomo, and one of the best hotels in Florence Italy city centre. The rooms themselves are really well furnished and they have specific family rooms catered for children, so the rooms are really large so you can walk around in them.
And they have babysitting services, but I love the children's slippers, so they really think about the family here. In terms of amenities, they have a restaurant and also a vintage bar, which is quite cool.
Find out more information and check the prices for Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy.
Helvetia & Bristol Firenze
If you are looking for something a little bit different for the family, there is the Hotel Helvetia and Bristol. This is a five-star hotel in Florence, and it has actually been around since 1885, but was recently renovated in 2019.
I picked this place because not only does it have fine amenities, it is also right in the centre, so you can get everywhere very easily. They do have babysitting and very large rooms, and you can ask for cribs as well.
In terms of food, if you do not want to go out, they do have a restaurant, and then to relax, they do have a wellness spot with some treatments.
Find out more information and check the prices for Helvetia & Bristol Firenze.
Bernini Palace
And next up is the Bernini Palace. Not everyone's cup of tea, but this is right next to the Piazza della Signoria, and is down a quieter road in Florence.
The palace itself is a 15th-century building, and the rooms are very large, with very traditional decorations and cool parquet flooring.
The bedding is also super comfortable when you stay here, so they have linen sheets and duvets with satin covers. And then for children, they do have a 24/7 reception and babysitting services.
Best cheap hotels in Florence
Now I am going to talk a little bit about the best hotels in Florence that are a little bit cheaper. Sometimes you are only there for a day or two, and you just do not have time to go to all the amenities of some of the luxury hotels in Florence.
So for these, I was looking at whether they had something a little bit different, but also had all the basics, like their own bathroom, being close to other places, and being well rated.
Hotel Torre Guelfa
First up, you have got the Hotel Torre Guelfa, and the reason I picked this was because of the views. So it is a four-star hotel that has this amazing terrace, and those views of the whole of Florence are something else. Being four star, it is a little bit cheaper, and it also came from a palace from 1341.
You can get rooms from single to quadruple rooms, which is great if you are with a group of friends, and you can even book an apartment if you want to save money and eat in.
In terms of the terrace, it is actually called the Tower Bar, and it is open from 6 PM to 11 PM. You get cocktails and wines from some of the best Tuscan wineries in the area. That is why it is one of the best hotels in Florence if you want to save some money.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel Torre Guelfa.
c-hotels Club
If you are in Florence for just a day, there is the C Hotels Club. This is a four-star hotel right next to the station in Florence, and was recently renovated in 2017. The rooms themselves are nothing special, but you get everything you need. Comfortable beds, workspaces if you are working, Wi-Fi, and also air conditioning.
The rooms go from classic rooms to doubles, and then if need be, they also have laundry services, babysitting, and a bar to have a nightcap. A great all-rounder. Getting there is easy too, and you can read more about trains from Pisa to Florence Italy if you are travelling that route.
Find out more information and check the prices for c-hotels Club.
Hotel Embassy
Next up, if you are looking for something a little bit newer and in the town, you have got Hotel Embassy. This is close to a lot of the different things to do in Florence. It is a four-star hotel in a 19th-century building.
What I like is, first of all, the price, but also the eco-friendly materials that they have, which are very eco-friendly. The hotel was recently renovated in 2020, and the rooms come with everything you need, like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and also a 32-inch TV.
It is a nice classic room where you will save some money, so one of the best hotels in Florence, Italy, for those on a budget.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel Embassy.
A Map of the best Hotels in Florence
I have also put a map of the best hotels in Florence, just so you can see the different areas where some of the hotels are, like San Marco, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, just so you can get an idea of where everything sits.
So I hope you like my blog on the best hotels in Florence. If you have been to Florence and stayed anywhere else that you absolutely loved, please put a comment below so my readers can get more value.
Best hotels in Florence FAQ's
Best hotels in Florence Italy near the Duomo
The best hotels in Florence near the Duomo have got to be the Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy and the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. And then if you are looking for something a little bit different, you have got Hotel Number Nine, which is one of the best boutique hotels in Florence.
Best Florence hotels with a view
The best Florence hotels with a view have got to be Il Tornabuoni for that rooftop terrace. The Saint Regis, because that is looking over the river and it is very relaxing. And then to save some money, you have got the Hotel Torre Guelfa.
Best hotels in Florence Italy for couples
It really depends on you, but if you want to splash the cash for the first time, you have got the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. I also really like the Relais Santa Croce because of the vaulted ceilings. Hotel La Gemma, because it is a boutique hotel. And then the Bernini Palace is good for a couple, but also good for a family.