Florence is home to hundreds of hotels, from charming boutiques tucked into quiet corners to stately Tuscan villas just beyond the city’s edge. But the ones on this list occupy a category all their own. These are the timeless classics. Like Filippo Brunelleschi’s Duomo itself — that indelible 15th-century landmark cathedral that looms over the city — they are grand and historic, as well as centrally located. Sparing no expense and spanning riverside retreats and palatial residences alike, each hotel here is worthy of its price tag: a once-in-a-lifetime splurge that adds modern grandeur to the city that began the Renaissance.
NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa
Built: 13th-centuryAtmosphere: Past meets present
Great for: Lovers of the classics (and top-notch luxury)
Claiming the title of Italy’s oldest hotel, NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is steeped in its 13th-century history without feeling a step out of date. Original, skillfully restored frescoes adorn its walls, while contemporary furnishings and modern amenities ensure a sleek, comfortable stay; for example, each room is double-glazed to keep out any touch of disturbance from outside. The three-floor Panoramic Suite, in the property’s medieval Monalda Tower, offers 360-degree city views, while family rooms allow ample space for groups of up to eight. The hotel’s location — just steps from the Uffizi Gallery — makes it perfect for culture-seekers eager to explore Florence’s artistic heritage.
Special amenities: Frescoed suites; pillow menu; complimentary breakfast
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St. Regis Florence
Built: 1432Atmosphere: Palace opulence
Great for: Ticking the bucket list
Set within a 15th-century palace designed by Brunelleschi himself, the St. Regis is the very definition of Florentine opulence. Lavishly appointed rooms feature hand-painted ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers, and plush silk draperies. Guests are treated to the legendary St. Regis butler service, ensuring every whim is met with the utmost attention to detail. Whether your gastronomic tastes veer towards traditional or contemporary, Tuscan culinary treats abound at Café Ginori and the Winter Garden Restaurant, where you’ll dine under a stunning 19th-century glass ceiling.
Special amenities: Personalized butler service; afternoon tea in a grand salon; private suites for spa treatments
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The Westin Excelsior Florence
Built: 1504Atmosphere: Old-world elegance
Great for: History buffs and luxury connoisseurs
It opened in 1927 as a hotel, but some sections date back to the very beginning of the 16th-century. Perched along the banks of the Arno River, the recently renovated Westin Excelsior embodies the timeless sophistication you’d expect from a centuries-old palace. Its lavish rooms are adorned with crystal chandeliers, frescoed ceilings, Oriental rugs and antique furnishings, all while offering the high-end comforts of a modern luxury stay. The crown jewel? SE·STO on Arno, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant made entirely from glass. Here you can enjoy 360-degree views while sipping on a spritz as the sun sets over Florence.
Special amenities: Rooftop dining with spectacular views; suites offer butler service and private Jacuzzis overlooking the Tuscan hills
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Palazzo Portinari Salviati
Built: 13th-centuryAtmosphere: Modern aristocratic
Great for: Living like Florentine nobility
Once home to the family of Beatrice Portinari, Dante’s muse, this 13th-century home, elevated to a palace in the 15th-century, is now a lavish boutique hotel, painstakingly restored to its former glory. Expect grand staircases, hand-painted frescoes, and stately suites with period furnishings. It’s as close as you’ll get to experiencing life as a Florentine noble in 2025. The 14 exclusive suites offer a journey through history, adorned with intricate frescoes, hand-painted ceilings, and original Tuscan terracotta floors. Each is named after a figure tied to the Palazzo or Florence itself — from Denmark’s King Frederick IV, once a guest, to Galileo, whose namesake suite on the top floor boasts breathtaking views of the Duomo.
Special amenities: Spa with heated swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath; MICHELIN-Starred ATTO di Vito Mollica
Palazzo Vecchietti
Built: 1578Atmosphere: Refined and intimate
Great for: Long stays
This 16th-century townhouse, once owned by the powerful Vecchietti family of traders and patrons to Renaissance artists, has been transformed into an exclusive boutique hotel. A hidden gem, the central location allows for easy on-foot exploration. Back at the hotel, the feel is understated yet sophisticated, more the vibe of a private residence than a hotel.
Ranging in size between 430 to 1,076-square-feet, rooms and suites offer far more space than the average, and include too a kitchen or kitchenette for a fully self-catered stay. The best rooms even open onto furnished terraces with views of the city’s rooftops. Splurge for the Leonardo da Vinci Premier Suite, a tribute to Italy’s greatest mind, with its two living rooms, stone fireplace, and a private terrace overlooking the courtyard.
Special amenities: Private guided tours; personal shopping advisor; doctor on call
Hotel Savoy Florence
Built: 1893Atmosphere: Playfully luxurious
Great for: Classic elegance with a twist
A fixture in Florence’s hotel scene and a favorite among the city’s elite since 1893, Hotel Savoy is a Rocco Forte masterpiece that blends grand tradition with modern elegance. Perfectly positioned on Piazza della Repubblica, it’s just steps away from the Duomo, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio. Interiors by Olga Polizzi and the Emilio Pucci fashion house mix Renaissance charm with a contemporary, colourful flair.
The 80 stylish rooms and suites offer a luxurious retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle and come equipped with marble bathrooms, Illy espresso machines and picturesque views of the Duomo or the Piazza della Repubblica. Tuck into contemporary Tuscan cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, Irene, or sip an aperitivo on the terrace overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica and its historic vintage carousel.
Special amenities: Florentine fashion-inspired designer suites; exclusive guest experiences
Continentale
Built: 1959Atmosphere: Fashion-forward and playful
Great for: Design obsessives
Owned by the Ferragamo family, the Continentale is an ode to modern Italian style. This sleek, all-white retreat sits just steps from the Ponte Vecchio, blending minimalist elegance with 1950s glamour. The rooftop bar, La Terrazza, is a showstopper, offering panoramic views of the Arno River, Brunelleschi's Dome, and the city’s golden skyline. Thanks to its fashion-house pedigree, this 43-room hotel is where Florence’s past collides with its effortlessly cool present.
Special amenities: Rooftop cocktail bar with Duomo views; access to the White Iris Spa
Hotel Lungarno
Built: 1967Atmosphere: Romantic
Great for: Picasso-gazing on the river
A love letter to both Florence and fine art, the hotel’s walls are lined with a private collection featuring works by Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, while its riverside location means you’re treated to breathtaking views from nearly every room. Choose between 49 rooms and 14 luxury suites, each with refined details like silver trays of Italian fragrances and sensory-activated climate controls. The on-site MICHELIN-Starred restaurant, Borgo San Jacopo, is referred to as the city’s dining room on the river, serving exquisite Italian dishes like black truffle-laced pasta and prawns in zabaglione.
Special amenities: Complimentary admission to the Ferragamo museum; MICHELIN restaurant Borgo San Jacopo; rooftop bar
The Place Firenze
Built: 2003Atmosphere: Eclectic and intimate
Great for: Trendsetters and design-lovers
A newer hotel than the rest on this list, the Place Firenze is a bold departure from the rest of the city’s luxury hotels. A boutique on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, it blends contemporary design with curated artwork, and its intimate setting — just 12 rooms and eight suites — creates a cozy, home-away-from-home feel, ideal for a personalized luxury experience. But what earns its spot with Florence's historical gems is its creation of The Place of Wonders foundation, which seeks to preserve Italy’s artistic traditions through support of ancient Italian trades like weaving and goldsmithing. Guests may support these crafts themselves through exclusive visits to six different workshops.
Special amenities: Rooftop terrace; full library; welcome drink; complimentary minibar
Top Image: Hotel Savoy
