Oltrarno Splendid

Visiting Florence is obligatory, but staying in the busy city center can be a bit much. Thankfully the universe has seen fit to supply the city with a solution: Oltrarno, the quieter but no less cultured neighborhood on the other side of the Arno river. With that context in mind, the name Oltrarno Splendid is simply a matter-of-fact description of the circumstances: here we have a stylish and eclectic 14-room bed and breakfast, conceived by no less illustrious a team than Francesco Maestrelli, Matteo & Marco Perduca, and Betty Soldi, the minds behind Florentine favorites SoprArno Suites and AdAstra.

If you know their previous work you know to expect a dizzying blend of Renaissance architecture, contemporary luxury design, 20th-century pop nostalgia, and much else — in fact “minimalist” might be the only thing Oltrarno Splendid isn’t. In many rooms you’ll find beautiful freestanding baths, and in all of them you’ll find espresso machines, and personality to spare. No two are alike, which makes repeat visits a treat. Beyond a thoughtful breakfast buffet, services are fairly minimal, but this close to central Florence you’re a few minutes’ walk from just about anything you could possibly need.