Positioning itself somewhere between your own incredibly
tasteful apartment and an intimate design hotel, Numeroventi
strikes that perfect home-from-home note. A stay here is like
enjoying your own Renaissance palazzo – there’s no concierge desk,
and little sign of other guests. Don’t worry; you’re not on your
own. A revolving programme of supper clubs, artist residencies,
yoga workshops and concerts keeps the place alive with creative
energy. Check out the hotel’s social media to find out more.

In a city filled with faded frescoes and crumbling churches,
this 25hours outpost is a burst of cosmopolitan colour and
excitement. The light-filled atrium is a striking focal point of
Florentine life, filled with tropical plants, two open kitchens and
various dining and drinking spaces frequented by Santa Maria
Novella district locals. The hotel collaborates with a number of
local artisans and small businesses, so you’ll find pastries from
S.forno bakery, groceries on offer at Alimentari (with tables to
eat your purchases at) and a bookshop curated by Todo Modo.
Throughout the hotel, interiors make reference to Dante’s Inferno
in a modern, unfussy style. Case in point? The eccentric decor of
the heaven-and-hell-inspired bedrooms.

Each of the 13 bedrooms in this quirky 16th-century townhouse is
unique: you might find a wall-filling map of Italy in your suite,
wake up under original frescoed ceilings or be able to enjoy the
indulgence of a bath in your bedroom on a stay here. Breakfast is
served in the street-level SottArno deli (think local cheeses,
prosciutto and fresh pastries). Located in the city’s bohemian
Oltrarno quarter, you won’t be stuck for dinner plans, either – try Trattoria 4
Leoni. The entrepreneurial owners of SoprArno – calligrapher
Betty Soldi, her husband, Matteo Perduca, and architect Francesco
Maestrelli – have since also launched AdAstra and
OltrarnoSplendid nearby, all with the same
vintage flair and sense of character.

An ode to Renaissance grandeur, the 62-room Il Tornabuoni is not
one for those who like to do things by halves. As the name
suggests, it’s located on Florence’s smartest street, Via
Tornabuoni, snug between Burberry and Valentino boutiques. It’s
part of the Hyatt brand, but we chose to include it in our edit
because of the building’s history. This palace is one of the oldest
and most prestigious in the city, dating back to the 13th century.
Hidden behind closed doors, away from the sounds of the city,
there’s an air of secrecy about Il Tornabuoni. Interiors are
opulent: expect vibrant wallpaper, majestic chandeliers and a
pop-culture take on Italian elegance. Make sure to spend an evening
at the rooftop Butterfly Terrace bar for a sunset negroni away from
the crowds.

Since 1735, the Ginori dynasty has been making fine china from
its Florentine headquarters in this very palazzo. Ginori lives on
(under the same ownership as Gucci), with a flagship store just
below, but the palazzo has recently been transformed into a
boutique 15-bedroom hotel. The new owner, Filippo Montani della
Fargna, has the same eye for craftsmanship and detail, and spent
two years restoring the place to its former glory. Charming touches
include the well-stocked honesty bar and a secret patio space
surrounded by tropical plants.

Gastronomy is at the core of this opulent five-star hotel in the
historic centre of Florence, with an outpost of hugely popular
Cibrèo Ristorante inside, and breakfast
pastries provided by the on-site – and cult – city pasticceria
Galleria Iginio Massari. Following a recent two-year expansion and
refurbishment project, there are now 89 bedrooms, plus a vast new
underground Roman-inspired spa and fresh breakfast room, the Winter
Garden.

During Pitti Uomo, two of men’s fashion’s most important
calendar dates in January and June respectively, the fashion crowd
makes a beeline for Hotel Calimala. It’s not hard to understand
why: the property’s panoramic Angel Roofbar is the place to see and
be seen, offering chic cocktails, legendary aperitivo and
unrivalled views over the city. For those staying beyond the
sbagliato, 38 rooms blend industrial chic with experimental design.
The hotel has a rooftop restaurant and plunge pool, as well as an
on-site fitness centre.

One of Florence’s best affordable gems, the tiny
bed-without-breakfast model works a treat for visitors who would
rather visit one of the city’s artisan bakeries for their morning
meal. Four airy rooms are pleasantly pastel, with soft linens. The
hotel’s warm-hearted welcome distinguishes it from the other
mid-range options in the city. Opt for the green room if you can,
which overlooks the courtyard and is quieter than the rest.

An easy stroll from the central Santa Maria Novella train
station and the city’s main attractions, The Place has been through
a number of reincarnations. Following a comprehensive refurbishment
in 2022, it’s back with a fresh and unpretentious new look that
focuses on clean lines and artisanal details. Book the Panoramic
Loft for views across Florence’s terracotta rooftops. Breakfasts
are taken al fresco in a Renaissance-era piazza, and the restaurant
and bar make a point of using ingredients sourced from Tuscany. The
hotel also showcases an ongoing stream of local artist
collaborations and community projects throughout the property.