Helvetia & Bristol Firenze - Starhotels Collezione

Though it’s named for a pair of far-flung places, the Helvetia & Bristol is about as central as it gets in Florence — both literally, at the heart of the old city, and figuratively, as a fixture for more than a century on the local hospitality scene. And while it’s come under a new banner as a part of the Starhotels Collezione, its essential appeal remains unchanged. Inside it’s a five-star tribute to Renaissance-era grandeur, and a return to the days when Europe’s grand hotels were the envy of the world.

While its atmosphere remains old-world in its inspiration, today’s Helvetia & Bristol is more historical tribute than faithful recreation. The addition, in 2019, of the adjacent Banco di Roma building marked the beginning of a new era; boutique-hotel trailblazer Anouska Hempel designed the 25 new rooms and suites, and a luxe new spa was installed as well.

Service is another of the hotel’s strengths; its Clefs d’Or concierges regularly achieve the impossible, and the restaurants are justifiably highly regarded. The fine-dining Cibrèo Ristorante is joined by the more casual Cibrèo Caffè; the former, set in the hotel’s new wing, focuses on immaculately composed Florentine classics, while the latter opens onto the street for an open-air meal with a city view.