Our Favorite Florence Hotels
• 5-Star: Portrait Firenze
• 4-Star: Calimala
• 3-Star: San Giuliano Inn
• Boutique: Casa G.
• For Families: Four Seasons
• For Couples: Ville Sull’Arno
• Best Pool: Villa Cora
• Near Duomo: Brunelleschi
• Ponte Vecchio: Portrait Firenze
• Train Station: The Market
Best Hotels: 1. Palazzo Lorenzo • 2. Sina Villa Medici • 3. The Market Urban Hotel • 4. Room Mate Luca • 5. Orto de Medici • 6. Guest House Morandi • 7. Four Seasons • 8. St. Regis • 9. Westin Excelsior 10. 25hours • 11. Palazzo di Camugliano • 12. The Place Firenze • 13. Casa G. Firenze • 14. Firenze Number Nine • 15. Spadai • 16. Arte • 17. Room Mate Isabella • 18. Golden Tower • 19. Helvetia & Bristol • 20. Palazzo Vecchietti • 21. Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy • 22. Brunelleschi • 23. Hotel Calimala • 24. Gallery Hotel Art • 25. Portrait Firenze • 26. Hotel Continentale • 27. Bernini Palace • 28. Palazzo Firenze • 29. Ville Sull’Arno • 30. Hotel Horto Convento • 31. Palazzo Magnani Feroni • 32. Lungarno • 33. Ad Astra • 34. Palazzo Ridolfi • 35. SoprArno Suites • 36. Serristory Palace • 37. Villa Cora • 38. Art Hotel Villa Agape
Affordable Hotels: 39. San Giuliano Inn • 40. Alfieri9 • 41. Alessandra • 42. B&B San Remigio • 43. Torre dei Lari • 44. Drom Florence
My Top Tips for Staying in Florence
Enjoying some wine at the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence.
1. Duomo (Historic Center)
• Why Stay: You’re in Florence’s iconic heart, footsteps from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Il Duomo), Giotto’s Campanile, and the Baptistery. Perfect for first-timers who want immediate access to museums and top landmarks.
• Hotel Vibe: Expect Renaissance-era buildings with modern upgrades. Hotel Brunelleschi offers stylish rooms in a restored Byzantine tower, while Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo feels like stepping into a 16th-century noble residence.2. Piazza Repubblica
• Why Stay: A grand, central square packed with cafés and shops, flanked by Florence’s prime retail streets. Easy to reach any major site on foot.
• Hotel Vibe: Upscale and cosmopolitan. Hotel Savoy stands out for refined design, while my favorite, Helvetia & Bristol combines elaborate interiors with friendly attentive service.3. Piazza della Signoria & Uffizi Vicinity
• Why Stay: Ideal for art lovers – Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery are at your doorstep. The piazza itself is a living museum with famous sculptures (including a replica of Michelangelo’s David).
• Hotel Vibe: Upscale heritage hotels in centuries-old palaces. Bernini Palace blends antique decor with modern comforts, and Relais Uffizi is a boutique hideaway just steps from the galleries.4. Santa Croce
• Why Stay: A lively quarter anchored by the Santa Croce Basilica (Michelangelo and Galileo rest here). By night, the area hums with trattorias and wine bars.
• Hotel Vibe: Mid-range gems to splurge-worthy riverfront stays. Hotel Santa Croce offers cozy, budget-friendly rooms, while Plaza Hotel Lucchesi has a rooftop pool overlooking the Arno.5. Ponte Vecchio / Lungarno
• Why Stay: Romantic river views and the famous jewelry shops on the medieval Ponte Vecchio. You’re never far from the center’s main sights.
• Hotel Vibe: Typically luxurious, with terraces overlooking the Arno. Hotel Lungarno (Ferragamo-owned) has an elegant, art-filled interior; Portrait Firenze exudes sleek, contemporary style.6. Oltrarno: Santo Spirito
• Why Stay: Bohemian flair on the “other side” of the Arno, with artisan workshops, quirky boutiques, and bustling nightlife around Piazza Santo Spirito. This is one of my favorite areas of Florence.
• Hotel Vibe: Trendy B&Bs and boutique hotels in converted palazzos. Palazzo Guadagni has a rooftop loggia for aperitivi, and AdAstra Suites sits in a private garden for a quiet escape.7. Oltrarno: San Frediano
• Why Stay: Known for its cool bars, craft studios, and more local vibe than the touristy center. Short walks lead to major sites without the crowd crush.
• Hotel Vibe: Hidden gems in historical buildings. Horto Convento is a restored convent with contemporary design, while smaller B&Bs in 15th-century homes offer a homey touch.8. San Lorenzo & Mercato Centrale
• Why Stay: Foodies love proximity to the Mercato Centrale for fresh produce and upstairs dining stalls. Medici chapels and the Basilica of San Lorenzo are also here.
• Hotel Vibe: Ranges from simple, market-adjacent stays to polished modern boutiques. Glance Hotel has a rooftop pool, and Globus Urban Hotel is great for travelers seeking a clean, stylish base near the station.9. Santa Maria Novella (Train Station Area)
• Why Stay: Convenient for arrivals/departures by train or day trips to Tuscany’s other gems (Pisa, Siena). Ten minutes’ walk to the Duomo.
• Hotel Vibe: Mix of business-oriented hotels and historic properties. Grand Hotel Minerva offers a rooftop pool plus sleek design; Hotel Santa Maria Novella has old-world charm by the piazza’s basilica.10. San Marco & Accademia
• Why Stay: Catch Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia early, then wander quieter streets near the Monastery of San Marco. Good if you want less tourist foot traffic than the Duomo area.
• Hotel Vibe: Classic Florentine style in smaller properties. Hotel Orto de’ Medici offers a historic courtyard and elegantly modern rooms, while Palazzo Castri 1874 features a lovely garden spa. A little farther to the west, with idyllic grounds, is the 5-star Four Seasons.Best Places to Stay in Florence
The marvelous St. Regis Hotel on the banks of Arno River and close to the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
- Best Luxury Hotels in Florence
Portrait Firenze • Four Seasons • Helvetia & Bristol • St. Regis • Villa Cora- Best Boutique Hotels in Florence
Calimala • Casa G. • Palazzo Ridolfi • Palazzo Vecchietti • The Place • Brunelleschi- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Florence
Alfieri9 • B&B San Remigio • Drom Florence • Hotel Alessandra • San Giuliano Inn • Torre dei Lari- Best Hotels for Families in Florence
Four Seasons (luxury) • La Farina Apartments (midrange) • Alessandra (affordable)Our hotel room at the Helvetia & Bristol in the central core of Florence.
TripAdvisor Hotels (Best Value)
*Note: The top-rated hotels on TripAdvisor are selected by an algorithm based on location, price, cleanliness, service, and amenities. This produces good-value, safe, and reliable hotels but often not the most interesting or unique places to stay in Florence.
TripAdvisor Hotels on Map: 1. Hotel Calimala • 2. Hotel Spadai • 3. San Firenze Suites & Spa • 4. Hotel Milù • 5. Hotel Davanzati • 6. Brunelleschi Hotel • 7. c-hotels Ambasciatori • 8. Palazzo Castri 1874 • 9. c-hotel Joy • 10. c-hotels Diplomat • 11. Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio • 12. Hotel Santa Croce
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