The Place Firenze

For just about as long as the phrase “luxury boutique hotel” has been in the travel-industry lexicon, it’s been represented in Florence by The Place Firenze. And while this ultra-chic townhouse on the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella has evolved with the times — architect Luigi Fragola oversaw its most recent renovation — it’s lost none of its appeal. To go from the bustling streets of Florence to a hotel so intimate it lacks even a traditional reception desk is refreshing, to say the least — and while its rooms and suites are as plush and well-equipped as anything in town, they’re so unique and so full of Florentine character that you’ll feel more like a local than a luxury-hotel guest.

And a well-connected local at that. The Place Firenze may do without uniformed bellhops and the like, but they’re capable of arranging just about anything you might request. Should that include an aperitivo on the rooftop terrace, followed by a modern Tuscan dinner with a view of Santa Maria Novella, you’re in luck; The Kitchen & The Bar serve dishes crafted from painstakingly local ingredients, served on Florentine tableware. Even the negroni, here, is elevated to a hyper-local art form — among The Place’s unique propositions is a masterclass on the mythical cocktail.