There are those who want to travel around the world, and then there are those who want to travel around the world in the highest quality locations possible. These locations often make the travel to places such as Florence, Italy, an even more unforgettable experience. Now, not only can you experience the beauty of the city and the countryside around it, but you can experience it by staying in some of the best luxury hotels in Florence.
In case you couldn’t tell, that’s what the subject of our list today is: the best 5-star hotels in Florence. These are the absolute best of the best in the birthplace of the Renaissance. They embrace both modernity and the classical aura that makes this such a charming city. So we’ve ranked them based on a variety of factors, such as the location, the rooms, the pricing and so on. While we’re going to rate some higher than others, one thing is for sure about this list; they are all some of the very best hotels in Florence and each of them a perfect choice if you want to pamper yourself in Tuscany. Just keep that in mind throughout. With all of that out of the way, let’s hop right into our list of the best 5-star hotels in Florence!
Best Five-Star Hotels In Florence – Top Picks + Reviews
Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy
We start our list with our pick for the best 5-star hotel in Florence: the Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy. This hotel is located about as centrally as possible, as it is right on the edge of the Piazza della Repubblica. This puts it within 10 minutes of almost all of the city’s main attractions, whether that be the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as the Florence Cathedral or the Duomo), the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio and more. This hotel truly puts you in the heart of Florence.
There is an Irene bistro available for guests to eat attached to the hotel, which serves authentic Tuscan cuisine for anyone who decides to eat there. In each room there are TVs with both satellite and pay-per-view channels available, minibars and room service all available. For those looking to stay fit on their trip (although walking around the city should help plenty with that) there is a gym located inside to work out at. The Classic Double Room (at the time of writing) costs a decent $551 USD per night, though this price can go all the way up to $5,400 USD for the Presidential Suite (Duomo).
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
In second place on our list of the best 5-star hotels in Florence, we have the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. This is one of the hotels you’ll want to look at if you want only one of the top (and most expensive) experiences in the city. It is actually 2 buildings, neither of which was built later than the 17th century. Yet, the interior is lavished with both modern facilities and Renaissance-style decor. The Four Seasons Hotel is located directly next to the gardens of the Giardino della Gherardesca, which puts it at around a 15-minute walk away from most of the main attractions in the city and a perfect choice even if you are staying only one day in Florence.
Each room comes with a TV, bathrobes and slippers, which is a bit different than most. There are 9 beauty treatment rooms, as well as a Turkish bath and a gym also available in these buildings. There is a Michelin starred restaurant built into the restaurant (called Il Palagio) that serves a delicious lunch and dinner for all those who want it. The downside of this hotel is the price. The minimum cost for a room is $711 USD per night for a Deluxe Room, while it can range up to a maximum of $16,700 USD per night for the Royal Suite. A pricey hotel indeed.
The St. Regis Florence
A non-Lungarno Collection hotel set on the Arno River, the St. Regis is located further to the west than most hotels we’ve looked at so far. Once again, it is located closer to the Santa Maria Novella train station and Basilica di Santa Maria Novella than anything else. However, it is still only a 14-minute walk to the Duomo and a 10-minute walk along the Arno to the Ponte Vecchio, making it one of the favorite hotels in Florence city center.
A buffet breakfast is available daily, with both continental and American styles available. There is also a restaurant (The Winter Garden) that serves both Tuscan and Mediterranean dishes. Amenities in the rooms include a multimedia system that has films, sports and other entertainment available. There’s even a digital jukebox available alongside the free WiFi. The Premium Guest Room (with 1 king bed) costs $574 USD. The max cost can go up to $6,326 USD a night for the Royal Suite with an Arno River view.
Portrait Firenze – Lungarno Collection
Rounding out the top three of our best 5-star hotels in Florence, we have the Portrait Firenze from the Lungarno Collection. This hotel is located directly on the Arno River (which is a recurring theme from the Lungarno Collection in this list). In fact, it is only about 100 feet away from the Ponte Vecchio, putting it almost on the bridge. This means that it is extremely close to all the other main attractions that you’ll want to see during your time in Florence. For example, the Uffizi is only a 2 minute walk away.
This hotel has large suites that come with bathrobes, Ferragamo toiletries, flat-screen TVs, iPad/iPod docking stations, and coffee makers. Basically, a lot comes with each room. There is another restaurant operated by a Michelin starred chef available here; the Caffè dell’Oro. There’s a beauty spa available, while staff are on call at all times and can help with any questions or needs. The costs are pretty hefty here, with a Portrait Studio costing around $690 USD a night, which can raise to $1,100 USD if you go with the Studio Deluxe with a River View.
The Place
Another special place in our 5-star Florence hotels list is taken by a relatively recent jewel in the city’s accommodation landscape. Formerly J.K. Place Firenze, The Place boasts a fine restyling by architect Luigi Fragola and a new, fresh twist the same owners, the local Babini family, wants to give to its elegant luxury rooms with the promise to be “your home in Florence”.
Set right on the edge of the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, this is closer to the western side of the “old town” of Florence. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s far away from those sights and sounds you’ll want to experience, as it’s only a 7-minute walk to the Duomo, an 11-minute walk from the Uffizi and a 10-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio. Not to mention that it is about a 5-minute walk to the Santa Maria Novella train station, giving you the option of a day trip elsewhere if you so wish.
Each room comes with a satellite TV, with the entire property having free WiFi all around. Each morning breakfast is served in a collection of either Continental, Italian or American. Dinner can also be ordered with the onset of the evening. In terms of costs, The Place is fairly reasonable, with the Classic Double Room costing $550 USD a night. Admittedly, this can rise to $1,500 USD a night if you decide on the Master Room.
Golden Tower Hotel & Spa
Coming to the midpoint of our list of the best luxury hotels in Florence, we have the Golden Tower Hotel & Spa. This boutique hotel is located fairly centrally, though not necessarily on the edge of any big piazza or landmark. Still, it’s about a 7-minute walk to the Duomo, a 6-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio and another 7 minutes to the Santa Maria Novella.
Each room comes with a minibar and TVs that have Sky channels. The free spa includes a hot tub, Turkish bath and sauna, as well as sensory showers and a cervical waterfall. For an extra charge, you can also get beauty treatments and massages. Each morning there is a buffet breakfast in the lobby that has a fireplace and library amidst original frescoes. The prices are quite good here, with the Classic Room being $323 USD a night, and the Luxury Suite being $540 USD. A fairly cheap hotel that delivers quality service.
Hotel Lungarno – Lungarno Collection
Entering the second half of our list of the best 5-star hotels in Florence, we arrive at the Hotel Lungarno from the Lungarno Collection. This hotel is located directly on the Arno River, with some of the rooms offering a direct view out to the Ponte Vecchio. Thanks to this location, you will be a very short walk away from the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace as well. One of the highlights of the Hotel Lungarno is the decoration that it has, with modern paintings and classics from great artists like Picasso and Cocteau.
Another Michelin-starred restaurant comes along with the Hotel Lungarno, this time it brings the name of Borgo San Jacopo. For those who only want light snacks or some drinks at their hotel, there is also the Picteau Lounge Bar that is open for most of the day. There are free toiletries in your room, as well as free WiFi throughout the property. One of the more surprising (and appreciated) elements is the relatively low cost here. A (non-refundable) Double Room costs just around $470 USD a night, while the Studio Suite with a River view costs around $1,200 USD a night.
NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa
A hotel located along the via Porta Rossa, up next we have the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa. Because of this location, you’ll find that it is quite near to many of the attractions that you’d want to see. It’s only a 5-minute walk away from the Ponte Vecchio, 6 minutes away from the Uffizi and 8 minutes away from the Duomo, which makes it a perfect accommodation option if you are staying one or two days in Florence. For those who are interested in history, the 12th-century Monalda Tower is actually part of the hotel.
All of the rooms come with minibars, air conditioning and even ironing facilities if you decide to request them. They also have TVs and WiFi throughout the property. Everyday there are buffet-style breakfasts, which are widely praised by guests. One of the best parts about this hotel is the fact that the rooms are so cheap. A “Superior Room” (with a Queen Bed) only costs $266 USD a night. This can raise to $475 USD for a Family Suite, but that’s still not bad.
Baglioni Relais Santa Croce, Florence
Nearing the end of our list, we have a 5-star hotel located in an 18th-century building. This hotel is located on the eastern side of the city centre, only a 2-minute walk from the Piazza di Santa Croce. This puts it at about a 9-minute walk to the Duomo, 10 minutes to the Uffizi, 12 minutes to the Ponte Vecchio and also very close to some great restaurants in Florence.
WiFi is free throughout the hotel, with some rooms offering more benefits than others. For example, you can get Turkish baths, bathrooms with a rain shower and walk-in closets in some. You can enjoy simple meals served at the hotel, though nothing as fancy as some of the other Michelin-starred restaurants. The staff are able and willing to help book museum tours or provide other advice about travelling around in the city. In terms of prices, the Deluxe Double Room costs $506 USD a night, which can rise up to $5,700 USD a night if you order the Two-Bedroom Suite.
Hotel Bernini Palace
And rounding out our list of the best 5-star hotels in Florence, we have the Hotel Bernini Palace. Located right on the edge of the Piazza di San Firenze, this hotel is located right in the heart of the city. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to get to most of the highlights of central Florence, as they are all so close by. With a unique blend of classic styles, Renaissance decor and Murano-glass chandeliers, it gives a very unique look to the Palace.
All the rooms in the hotel come with a satellite flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a minibar. There is free WiFi throughout the property as well. The La Chiostrina Restaurant serves meals throughout the day, including continental, Italian and American-style breakfasts. You can also get some lovely cocktails from the lounge bar. For a Classic Room, the cost is a reasonable $467 USD a night, which is most certainly not a bad price for the location and elements provided. One thing to note is that the Hotel Bernini Palace is closed until April 2021, so keep that in mind when looking for places to stay.
And that concludes our list of the best 5-star hotels in Florence. Hopefully, we have provided you with some ideas on where to stay during that honeymoon or lavish vacation that we’ll all need after this COVID experience is over. As always, we recommend doing your own research and finding out which hotel will suit you at which times. Have a safe and lovely travel experience!
