The 17 best hotels in Florence

Bosh. Right in the middle of Florence is where you’ll find this compact but substantial property, a hop and a skip from many of the city’s a-tier attractions. Like a lot of the actually decent posh hotels in Florence, Helvetia & Bristol is an enjoyable combination of contemporary swishyness and time-worn, almost eccentric grandiosity. We stayed in the old-school section. Our room was splendid but friendly, with tall windows, a stylish antique dresser and a very royal-looking carved oak headboard behind the mega-wide bed. Food and drink come by way of the bombastically snazzy Cibreo restaurant and cocktail bar. There is also an equally Unapologetically Snazzy 'winter garden', where you can sit while munching your freshly made pastries in the morning.

Time Out tip: If you enjoy being pampered, then book yourself in for one of the hotel’s spa sessions. It’s the biggest one in the city. Molto zen.

An idiosyncratic, thoroughly charming experience, Hotel Palazzo Guadagni manages to combine Florence’s beauty and grace with a rare, bohemian charm. Situated on the third floor of a building which sits on one of the city’s coolest (yet relatively under-the-radar) squares, the hotel feels somewhere between a billionaire’s cosmopolitan bolthole and an upmarket youth hostel.

Mood? Elegant yet casual luxury.
Location perks? It features one of the greatest roof bars in Florence (and a great square below).
Budget range? Mid-range (especially compared to a lot of less interesting, more expensive hotels in Florence).

AdAstra is a truly special place. Overlooking the largest private garden in Europe, this nine-room hotel is in the buzzing Oltrarno district across the River Arno. The decor harmoniously mixes the decades for a serene look, and some of the rooms have roll-top baths. The mellow ambience is enhanced by a huge terrace overlooking the Torrigianni Gardens, where you can have a lazy breakfast or an aperitivo. Two of the rooms are in the garden, which adds an extra romantic touch to a hotel that’s overflowing with them.

Mood? Grand luxury.
Location perks? Within a 10-minute walk from Pitti Palace and Santo Spirito Basilica.
Budget range? Fairly priced.

The Florence outpost of the JK Place collection of Italian hotels is a favourite among couples looking for an elegant bolthole. Its 20 rooms occupy an attractive townhouse by the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, while inside it’s immensely stylish and contemporary without getting into cold minimalism, with oak parquet floors and antique fireplaces mingling with mid-20th-century furnishings. Join fashionable Florentines during the popular Sunday brunch, and relax on the beautiful JK Terrace where cocktails and light meals are served overlooking the piazza.

Mood? Elegant but stylish.
Location perks? Just 7 minutes from the Santa Maria Novella Basilica.
Budget range? Super pricey.

The gorgeously elegant four-star Moon Boutique Hotel and Spa epitomises Florence in one hotel. The eclectic style and warm hospitality make for the perfect place to rest on your travels to the city. The hotel is situated a 10-minute walk from Fortezza da Basso and 900 yards from Santa Maria Novella Train Station, the ideal convenient location. Of course, it wouldn't be a spa hotel without access to the Blue Moon Spa, which has plenty of relaxing wellness programs for you to choose from. The 23 rooms offer cosy beds, rain showers, free wifi, and a smart TV, and are designed to offer you comfort and elegance on your stay. 

Mood? Boutique chic.
Location perks? A 10-minute walk from Fortezza da Basso. Easy.
Budget range? Very affordable. 

This sympathetically restored Brunelleschi-designed palazzo is just 10 minutes north of the Ponte Vecchio and in a romantic spot right on the River Arno. St Regis Florence takes you back to the Renaissance in its 81 handsome rooms and 19 suites that are ornate without going over the top. It’s worth upgrading to one of the rooms with its own balcony overlooking the Arno. The spa is an intimate affair, with private hot tubs in each treatment room. The Winter Garden restaurant is one of Florence’s best, where Italian cuisine is given a Michelin-starred gloss.

Mood? Riverfront paradise.
Location perks? Aside from the River Arno on your doorstep, the train station is nearby too.
Budget range? On the pricier side of life.

As Lucy Honeychurch and Charlotte Bartlett knew, a trip to Florence isn’t worth a handful of beans unless you’re staying in the right kind of place. The Dimora de Cardinale doesn’t, as it happens, promise rooms with views of the Arno, but it does have precisely the type of traditional Florentine romance that anyone who immediately recognised the above reference will adore. This simple but lavish hotel has rooms bedecked with religious artworks, ornate mirrors and curvaceous vintage furniture. Add to this some impeccably clean and ironed bed linen, and cutely colour-coordinated rooms. All that’s left is to find your George. 

Mood? Romance from yesteryear.
Location perks? Comfortable walking distance to all the galleries (you know the ones we mean), plus you can easily explore the markets of San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogio.
Budget range? In the middle.

Looking like something out of a fairy tale, the Hotel Brunelleschi has been created out of a sixth-century stone tower and a medieval church. And it’s only a few minutes walk from the Duomo yet it’s set in a small square. Modern and traditional furnishings mix in the 96 bedrooms, some of which have exposed stone walls and others have lovely views of the Duomo. If you want to splash out, choose the Suite in Florence with a panoramic roof terrace and hot tub.

Mood? Contemporary interiors. 
Location perks? You're surrounded by local cafes, restaurants and shops. Enjoy.
Budget range? A wide variety of options.

This beautiful villa hotel is located just outside the very centre of Florence, giving you superb access to all the city’s famous charms, but also gifting you that additional breathing space to feel at one with the world. The rooms are characterised by a simplified elegance that includes panelled white walls, velvet sofas and witty contemporary takes on old school accessories. Combine site seeing with plenty of time in the moody, cavernous spa.

Mood? Peace and quiet at last…
Location perks? A short but charming distance from central Florence.
Budget range? Keep your eyes peeled for some pleasing rates.

Located on the south side of the River Arno, 40 of the 65 rooms at the Hotel Lungarno offer stunning views across the water. Unlike many of Florence’s best hotels, this one has a more contemporary approach to interior decorating. If you’re looking for a slightly quieter spot in the city, this is a great choice. You’ll also have the option of Michelin-starred dining in the Borgo San Jacopo Restaurant, and the chance to enjoy the hotel’s own art collection which includes works by Picasso and Cocteau.

Mood? Boujie vibes.
Location perks? Less than 100 metres from Ponte Vecchio, for all the sight seekers out there.
Budget range? Spenny.

Get a taste of languorous Florentine aristocratic life at Palazzo di Camugliano. This 16th-century building is the family residence of a marquis, and its opulent interior is exactly what you would expect in such an exalted place: frescoed ceilings, polished parquet floors, antique furniture, and even an adorable hanging garden. With only 10 rooms, it all heightens the cocooning sense of peace you feel, especially as the hotel is only a seven-minute walk west of the Piazza del Duomo but a world away from the city centre.

Mood? Next-level grandeur. 
Location perks? Just under 500 metres distance to the Cathedral.
Budget range? Surprisingly well priced.

There’s a wonderfully stately air to Relais Santa Croce, an 18th-century townhouse that’s a few minutes walk from the equally impressive church of Santa Croce. This member of the Baglioni Hotels group has 24 rooms and suites, all with an understated modern elegance that suits this venerable building. If you can’t book the suite that comes with a terrace and views of Santa Croce, you can still revel in the beauty of the huge music room and dignified lounge.

Mood? Five-star luxe.
Location perks? Nestled between the Cathedral and Santa Croce Basilica.
Budget range? Higher end.

Fans of the British TV series ‘Inside number 9’ might balk at the idea of staying in a place with an eerily similar name. But push aside your qualms because this place is definitely not part of a comic horror story. Oh no, this is a hotel of dreams. Situated right in the heart of the city – the Ponte Vecchio is just ten mins away by foot – this family-owned hotel features 40 suites and rooms, all with their own interior design twists. The common theme is an unrivalled sense of classical Italiate style made to feel fresh and contemporary. Enjoy the additional luxury of a superb spa that will have you feeling like a refined Medici lady of yesteryear (with less political intrigue and bloodshed).

Mood? Absolute elegance.
Location perks? All the Florentine treasures are on your doorstep.
Budget range? Save and splurge.

A rooftop pool in the centre of Florence is such a rarity that it’s hard to pass up the chance to stay at the Grand Hotel Minerva. Set right on Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, this four-star hotel has 97 contemporary rooms, either in soothing neutral tones or in more vibrant shades of red. The sixth-floor pool – open from May to September – is the star – relax on a sun lounger and gaze at the distinctive cupola of the Duomo in the distance.

Mood? Historic charm.
Location perks? The Santa Maria Novella train station is an easy 300 metres away.
Budget range? Options range from mid to high-end.

Villa Cora is a mere 15-minutes walk from the Ponte Vecchio, yet wake up here and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were deep in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. This five-star hotel is set in a magnificent 19th-century villa and offers 44 delectable rooms, which all embrace rococo excess to varying degrees. Make the most of the beautiful weather with a walk in the landscaped park or make use of the hotel’s heated pool and on-site spa. You’ll want to be looking good when attending the champagne evenings on the rooftop bar.

Mood? World-class treatment. 
Location perks? You're in a Tuscan villa... life couldn't be better really.
Budget range? As pricey as you'd expect.

It’s hard to find a more alluring location than Portrait Firenze – right on the Arno and just steps away from the Ponte Vecchio. The same Ferragamo family that runs the Hotel Lungarno also owns this very swish collection of 37 suites, all of which have their own mini-kitchens. Most of the smart, contemporary rooms have captivating views of the river, which you can gaze at through full-length windows. Top-class Italian fare is on offer at the Caffè dell’Oro, which also puts on Sunday brunch.

Mood? Artisinal luxury.
Location perks? Minutes from Florence's most famous bridge, Ponte Vecchio.
Budget range? Expensive but worth it.

Accommodation in Florence doesn't get more lavish than the Four Seasons hotel – set across 11 acres of gardens (the largest private garden in Florence) and housed in a spectacular Renaissance palazzo. You'll be kept occupied with a seasonal outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub and scenic al fresco bar. The on-site restaurant Il Palagio serves traditional Firenze cuisine and Italian wines straight from the cellar. 

Mood? The word 'grand' doesn't do it justice. 
Location perks? 1km away from Academia Gallery and well-removed from the tourist-heavy mobs. 
Budget range? If you're on a budget, don't even think about it.