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Florence, the capital of Tuscany, offers parts of everything that travelers love about Italy as a whole. Art lovers will find some of the best-known Renaissance architecture, including the Duomo Cathedral, paintings by Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo Da Vinci, and of course the iconic David by Michelangelo. Similarly, gourmets and wine lovers will find antipasti, traditional panel (bread), pappardelle (long, wide pasta) and the rich reds of nearby Chianti. With breathtaking views and gastronomic indulgences around every corner, romance is – not surprisingly here – a prize too. Whether you’re traveling on business, taking the kiddos on your first European trip, or looking for an intimate hideaway for your honeymoon, you’ll find something favorable on this list.
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Best Overall: Il Salviatino
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High in the hills of Fiesole, just 15 minutes from the center of Florence, Il Salviatino offers the most impressive views. Originally built as a country house and then refurbished over the years, this historic orchard property offers luxurious Renaissance-style villas. For an extra special view, book the Ojetti Suite, an elegant and seductive living space spread over two floors. The bedroom and dining area are decorated in a rich, warm palette that contrasts directly with the delicate light from the glass floor in the living room area. The rooftop includes a Jacuzzi and direct access to a private balcony where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Tuscan hills on one side and the distinguished Florence skyline and iconic Duomo on the other. Enjoy a dinner next to the garden at the La Cucina site,
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Best budget: Hotel Palazzo Guadagni
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The charming Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, located on the top floor of a historic Florentine palace, enjoys a location next to Piazza Santo Spirito and offers a beautiful roof terrace that basically asks to be installed on Instagram. Here, saving money on your stay starts first thing in the morning: Buffet breakfasts on the rooftop terrace are included, something that will help your budget in a big way. Classic Italian rooms feature frescoed ceilings, fireplaces and jaw-dropping views. Although you may love the person you stay in, change it if you visit a second time, as each is said to have their own unique personality. The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the train station, which is ideal for business trips or if you plan to sightsee in another region during the day. Of course, there is no need to leave Florence, especially when you can get to Palazzo Pitti,
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Mejor Boutique: Helvetia y Bristol Florence – Starhotels Collezione
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Situated near Brunelleschi’s Dome, between Piazza della Repubblica and Via de ‘Tornabuoni, Helvetia & Bristol Firenze is an elegant historic retreat in the center of Florence. Here, the rooms offer stunning views of the city and are said to have great natural light. Stay in a suite and you’ll find classic antique furniture, 17th-century artwork, and impeccable marble features. Don’t forget to have a cocktail and a snack in the cozy Art Deco Bar Bibendum, or for a more substantial Florentine-style feast, head to the hotel’s own Hostaria Bibendum. To round out its stellar boutique offering, Helvetia & Bristol is known for its warm Italian hospitality that ranges from the front desk staff and 24-hour room service staff to the Les Clefs d’Or concierges and babysitters at the place.
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Best for families: Castello di Ristonchi
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Castello di Ristonchi, just 18 miles from Florence, offers travelers a beautiful taste of the Tuscan countryside. The picturesque 1,000-year-old castle-turned-hotel is ideal for families thanks to a large swimming pool and children’s playground, as well as the nearby forest that is ripe for exploration. The hotel even offers family-centered activities like making your own pizza night, pasta-making classes, hiking, and more. Roving hatchlings will also appreciate a dedicated family room and even in-room kitchens, but don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities for adult-only indulgence too with a combined bar and lounge if you need to get away for a cocktail. Wi-Fi also means you can catch up on a little work if you absolutely have to. With a peaceful location and plenty to do, this retreat perfectly blends exploration and relaxation.
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Best for Romance: Hotel Hermitage
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With a beautiful rooftop overlooking the river, the cozy Hotel Hermitage may feel removed from the hustle and bustle of Florence, but in reality, it’s centrally located, just a three-block walk from the Duomo. With panoramic river views on one side and hot tourist spots on the other, such as Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and more, the three-star property is ideally located. The cozy hotel offers free Wi-Fi and breakfast is included in the room price. The common areas, living rooms, roof garden, and breakfast room are staffed by staff who are said to be very friendly and helpful. Share a hot hydromassage bath in the comfort of your room, most upholstered in Florentine and white lacquer, and then enjoy a negroni or prosecco on the rooftop terrace and soak up the romantic atmosphere of Florence.
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Best luxury: Hotel Lungarno
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Owned by one of the most powerful Italian families, the Ferragamos, the five-star Hotel Lungarno is known for its incredible art collection that features 450 pieces by such illustrious artists as Picasso, Cocteau, and Guidi. After its opening in the 90s, the Hotel Lungarno became known as the first fashionable hotel and, from the beginning, it took pride in its artistic intentions. Today, with an iPad placed in each room, guests can take a virtual tour of the hotel and immerse themselves in the artwork at any time of the day. Sixty-five luxury rooms and suites offer stunning views of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio from private terraces, original artwork by Italian artists, antique furniture, marble bathrooms, and Bianco di Carrara bath amenities from none other than Salvatore Ferragamo .
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Best for Singles: Plaza Lucchesi Hotel
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Plaza Lucchesi Hotel will have singles ready to meet that special someone. In fact, guests can even amplify themselves by staying in the same room where DH Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley’s Lover – one of the best romance novels of our time. The hotel is centrally located, making it ideal for a solo stroll around the city without fear of getting too lost. There is also a rooftop terrace that features cocktails at sunset and a swimming pool, also known as the perfect place to mingle after a day. Located right in front of the Basilica of Santa Croce, you will be amazed by the views. The contemporary rooms and suites, 92 in total, are equipped with white linens, parquet floors and views of the Arno River and Piazzale Michelangelo. Room service is available and there’s free high-speed internet too, but don’t get so stuck in your room that you forget to go out and find your Italian-style romance.
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Best deal: Hotel Savoy Firenze
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The Savoy brand is known for being one of the trendiest luxury hotel chains in Europe, and the company’s location in Florence shows why. Located on Piazza della Repubblica, a stone’s throw from the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Florence’s famous fashion houses, the upscale stay caters to an elegant crowd. From spacious and luxurious suites to the hotel gym, incredible views, such as that of Brunelleschi’s dome, are around every corner. But for business travelers, the real giveaways include free Wi-Fi, on-site babysitting (if you’re traveling with young children), dry cleaning, a business center, and meeting rooms. Depending on how formal your work outs are, you can even meet clients at Irene, a Tuscan-style bistro by legendary chef Fulvio Pierrangelini (from the two-Michelin-star Gambero Rosso restaurant).
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Best city center: Hotel Spadai
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Quirky amenities and boutique personalization (which you might not find in a larger property) collide at Florence’s Hotel Spadai. Each of the hotel’s 55 rooms and suites enjoys luxurious touches such as marble bathrooms, complimentary minibars, Italian bedding, bidets, and heated towels. Along with all the amenities travelers love, it also offers a prime city center location – just one block from the Duomo and the Medici Chapel. Enjoy the romantic hot tub and spend time in your beautiful room, but don’t forget to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Signoria, just a few steps from the hotel door. As for the hotel’s standard services, it also has a spa, bar / lounge, room service and high-speed Internet.
