Posted: April 11, 24 | April 11, 2024
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The entire historic center is a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, with works of art everywhere and the food here is incredibly delicious.
I have been visiting this city over and over again for the past 16 years, and I am always amazed at how beautiful it is. When you visit here, you feel like you have stepped back in time.
Florence is such a popular travel destination that there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Some of them are great, some not so great. Over the years I have stayed in various hotels in this city. To help you plan your visit, here is a list of the best hotels in Florence:
1. Hotel Alba Palace
Located next to the cloister of Santa Maria Novella Basilica, this beautiful 3-star hotel is decorated in traditional Florentine style. Each room is unique with historic features including soft yellow walls, antique terracotta floors, vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls. The complimentary breakfast is fantastic and offers a great variety (e.g. pastries, yoghurts, cakes, cold cuts and espresso drinks). Best of all, it is served in a quiet atrium with a glass ceiling.
All rooms feature a flat-screen TV, minibar, desk, Nespresso machine, hairdryer and safe. The bed is comfortable and the windows are soundproofed, so I think I can sleep well. The bathroom is a bit small but has excellent water pressure in the shower, bidet, towel warming rack and free toiletries. In addition to the classic rooms with a double bed, we also have cheaper rooms with a single bed for solo travelers. Overall, it's an affordable choice in one of the city's better neighborhoods.
2. Hotel Davanzati
Located in the heart of the historic center (just one block from Ponte Vecchio), this cozy 3-star hotel offers great value. The complimentary continental breakfast includes a variety of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, pastries and cold cuts. There is also a social hour with complimentary drinks and snacks, including afternoon tea and cakes, and an aperitif with prosecco and delicious bites.
The rooms are decorated with pastel-colored walls featuring historical paintings and maps. All rooms are fairly spacious and feature comfortable beds, desks, flat-screen TVs and wardrobes. The bathroom is also spacious and has a heated towel rack and a shower with excellent water pressure. The staff do their best to help you with anything you need. (Please note that there is no elevator so it is not the best option for people with mobility issues.)
3. The Place Florence
This 5-star hotel is located in a restored 17th-century building right next to Piazza Santa Maria Novella. The hotel has an outdoor terrace right on the square and serves Tuscan specialties, drinks and a great breakfast in the morning (included with your stay). There's also a small rooftop with amazing views, and free access to the gym just a few minutes away.
Every room at this award-winning boutique hotel (it has just 20 rooms) is individually decorated with pastel colors, unique artwork, chandeliers and custom furniture. Rooms have plenty of natural light and amenities include a minibar (including complimentary soft drinks and snacks), a flat-screen TV, and a spacious desk. The elegant marble bathroom includes a bidet, complimentary luxury toiletries, plush bathrobes and slippers. Shower water pressure is good and some rooms also have a separate deep soaking tub. You won't want anything here. But if you do, our very helpful staff will go out of their way to help you. This is the most luxurious hotel in the city and the place to stay if you want to splurge in Florence.
4. Wise Man’s House
This 3-star hotel is located right next to Piazza di Santa Croce, in the heart of the lively Santa Croce district. A boutique hotel, the entire place is eclectically designed with interesting artwork and walls painted in fun pastel colors. I especially love all the gorgeous wooden art deco furniture. There is also a great breakfast buffet with pastries, juice, eggs, ham, cheese and fresh fruit.
The spacious rooms are filled with natural light and, like the rest of the hotel, are stylishly designed. All rooms have wooden or parquet floors and are equipped with a minibar, a flat-screen satellite TV, a Nespresso coffee machine and a tea kettle. Bathrooms are spacious and feature large rainfall showers (some with separate deep soaking tubs), heated towel racks and bidets. Centro Storico is a great choice for travelers who want to stay near but want a more local experience. This is a really nice property that offers great value for money.
5. Hotel Palazzo Guadani
This 3-star hotel is located in a 16th-century Florentine palace right next to Piazza Santo Spirito in the trendy Santo Spirito area. The tastefully decorated rooms retain many features of the aristocratic era, including high ceilings, large windows, antique furniture, frescoes and fireplaces. In-room amenities include a minibar, a flat-screen TV and a safe. The spacious, tiled bathroom includes heated towel racks, a bidet, plush bathrobes and slippers.
But my favorite part about this hotel is the rooftop terrace and great views of the city. A fantastic complimentary breakfast is served in the morning, and at night you can enjoy the sunset over the red roofs with a drink in hand. This place has a much more luxurious feel than your typical 3 star hotel. We think it's the perfect choice for the intrepid traveler who wants to experience local Florentine life on the other side of the Arno River.
6. Hotel Bernini Palace
This 5-star hotel is housed in a 15th-century building and lives up to its name, making you feel like you're staying in a palace. The grand lobby is decorated in a fusion of Italian and Moroccan styles, with vaulted ceilings and doorways. I love that the free breakfast buffet is served in a room with a long history (Italian lawmakers used to hold meetings here) and a room with a beautiful frescoed ceiling.
The elegant rooms feature wood-beamed ceilings, parquet or terracotta floors, glass chandeliers, antique furniture and comfortable beds with gilded headboards. Rooms are spacious and equipped with all the amenities you would expect from a hotel of this class, including minibars, flat-screen TVs, desks, and air conditioning. The marble bathroom is spacious and includes a bidet, plush bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer. A great place to enjoy a luxurious stay in the heart of Florence (just a 5-minute walk to the Duomo).
Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy. It is one of the most beautiful cities not only in Italy but in all of Europe. Choose one of the hotels from the list above for your stay. That way, you will have an amazing experience visiting this picturesque city!
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Book a trip to Florence: logistics tips and tricks
flight reservation
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. My favorite search engine searches websites and airlines around the world so you always know everything.
Accommodation Reservation
You can book hostels through Hostelworld, which offers the largest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, try Booking.com. We consistently offer the lowest rates on guesthouses and budget hotels.
Don't forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. Comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I can't go on a trip without it, as I've had to use it several times in the past. Here are some of my favorite companies that offer the best service and value:
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Want a guide?
Florence has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Walks. You'll have a professional guide to show you around the city's best attractions. This is a walking tour company I often go to!
Want more information about Florence?
Be sure to visit our powerful destination guide to Florence for more planning tips!