Beauty is woven into everyday life in Florence, a city where craftsmanship, ambition and an extraordinary attention to detail have shaped one of Italy's most captivating urban landscapes.
Florence possesses a rare sense of harmony, a city where architecture, craftsmanship and daily life come together with remarkable ease. Although its influence on art and culture is impossible to ignore, the true appeal of Florence lies in the experience of being there, wandering streets and squares that feel carefully considered rather than simply historic.
The city unfolds through elegant palaces, intimate piazzas and workshops where traditional skills continue to be practised much as they have been for generations. Stone façades glow in the evening light, church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and every neighbourhood reveals another layer of detail that rewards exploration on foot.
Florence remains a city of makers as much as monuments. Artisans, designers, jewellers and craftspeople continue to shape its character, creating an atmosphere that feels creative, refined and deeply connected to its past without being trapped by it. The result is a destination that lingers in the memory long after the landmarks have faded from view.
Moments of discovery often become the most memorable part of any journey, whether found through an exceptional hotel, a remarkable landscape or an experience that reveals a destination in a new light. The places that stay with us longest are those that create a genuine sense of connection.
Across islands, coastlines, mountains and vibrant cities, every destination offers its own character and rhythm. Some invite adventure, others encourage slower exploration, but the most rewarding journeys are often those that combine comfort, authenticity and a sense of place.
From luxury hotels and boutique retreats to safari experiences, rail journeys and small-ship voyages, our collection celebrates travel that feels considered, inspiring and memorable long after returning home.
The Hoxton, Florence, a luxurious four-star retreat in the heart of Florence's Centro Storico, captivates with its blend of Renaissance palazzo charm and modernist flair, offering a hip, community-driven vibe steps from San Lorenzo's vibrant market. The 158 rooms, from Snug to Studio, plus the unique Florence House villetta, unfold with stylish functionality, featuring air-conditioned comfort, flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and tiled bathrooms with Blank organic toiletries. Vintage phones, Roberts DAB radios, and bold pastel or Duomo-inspired designs create tranquil havens. Attentive staff ensure thoughtful touches, from plush linens to warm welcomes, fostering a sense of belonging amid Florence's lively pulse. Dining at Alassio bistro celebrates Italian Riviera flavours with seafood crudo and wood-fired pizza, served on a portico terrace. Enoteca Violetta's cocktails and live music draw locals, while the Lobby Bar offers pastries and casual bites. Breakfast brims with vegetarian and vegan options. Guests can immerse in curated experiences, from free bike rides to exploring the Duomo, capturing Florence's timeless rhythm with effortless grace. Nestled 600 meters from San Marco Church and 10 kilometers from Florence Airport, The Hoxton offers seamless access to the city's treasures. Free bikes, a terrace, bar, and Green Key-certified sustainability elevate the experience, ensuring vibrant renewal in a setting of eclectic splendor.
From £100 per night
Hotel Number Nine, a luxurious five-star retreat in Florence's vibrant heart, captivates with its Renaissance palazzo elegance, reimagined with contemporary flair by Ginevra Moretti, offering exclusive access to the House of Nine members club and a stone's throw from the Duomo. The 40 uniquely designed rooms and suites unfold with chic urban sophistication, featuring air-conditioned comfort, Simmons beds with Rivolta Carmignani linens, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms with Diptyque toiletries. High ceilings, terrazzo floors, and curated art create tranquil havens, with iconic rooms boasting Duomo views. Attentive staff ensure thoughtful touches, from plush linens to warm welcomes, fostering a sense of belonging amid Florence's lively pulse. Dining at Daisy's, a mod-Moorish restaurant with live jazz, offers retro classics like prawn cocktail and beef fillet, while the Orientalist Bar serves pre- and post-dinner cocktails. Nine Bistro provides casual lunches, and breakfast in the Orangerie brims with made-to-order specialties. Guests can immerse in curated experiences, from spa treatments to San Lorenzo market strolls, capturing Florence's timeless rhythm with effortless grace. Nestled 500 meters from Santa Maria Novella Station and a 10-minute walk from Piazza della Signoria, with Florence's Peretola Airport nearby, Hotel Number Nine offers seamless access to the city's treasures. A world-class spa, Pilates studio, gym, cigar room, and superyacht charters elevate the experience, ensuring serene renewal in a setting of eclectic splendor.
From £170 per night
Villa Cora, a luxurious five-star retreat on Florence's leafy southern fringe, enchants with its 19th-century aristocratic splendor, nestled in a rose-scented park overlooking the Boboli Gardens, offering a serene escape just moments from the city's cultural heart. The 44 rooms and suites, spread across the main villa, ex-stable block, and private “Le Follie” gatehouse, unfold with opulent elegance, featuring air-conditioned comfort, flat-screen satellite TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms with rose-embroidered bathrobes, pink slippers, and Officina Santa Maria Novella toiletries. Frescoed ceilings, four-poster beds, and antiques grace the piano nobile suites, while second-floor rooms channel rose-themed femininity and top-floor spaces blend mod-Moroccan flair with city views. Attentive staff orchestrate seamless experiences, from private Chianti balloon rides to tuk-tuk city tours, fostering a sense of belonging amid Florence's timeless pulse. Dining at Le Bistrot, led by Chef Alessandro Liberatore, captivates with gourmet Tuscan dishes like chickpea soup with black garlic or veal cutlet alla Milanese, savoured poolside in summer or in the cozy Moorish Room in winter. The Bellevue rooftop terrace offers wraparound views with cocktails, while the Santa Garden Cocktail Club hums with Florentine sophistication. A daily breakfast brims with artisanal cornetti, local honeys, and fresh espresso. Guests can immerse in curated experiences, from Santo Spirito's boho boutiques to Uffizi Gallery visits, capturing Florence's soul with effortless grace. Nestled a 20-minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery, 400 meters from a bus stop with a complimentary shuttle to the city centre, and a short drive from Florence Airport, Villa Cora offers seamless access with free parking. A heated pool, Benè Spa with sauna, hammam, tepidarium, gym, and Sarah Chapman beauty treatments elevate the experience, ensuring serene renewal in a setting of aristocratic splendor.
From £310 per night
The St. Regis Florence, a luxurious five-star retreat on the Arno River's banks, captivates with its Brunelleschi-designed elegance, blending 18th-century Florentine grandeur with bespoke hospitality, offering panoramic Ponte Vecchio views and a refined immersion into the Renaissance heart of the city. The 99 rooms and suites unfold with opulent charm, featuring air-conditioned comfort, multimedia systems with films and digital jukeboxes, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms with premium MyBlend toiletries. Florentine-style antique furnishings and lush fabrics create serene havens, elevated by St. Regis's hallmark butler service, tailoring every detail to your desires. Attentive staff ensure thoughtful touches, from plush linens to warm welcomes, fostering a sense of belonging amid Florence's historic pulse. Dining at Winter Garden restaurant, led by Chef Gentian Shehi, reimagines Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine with modern flair, served amid elegant venues perfect for celebrations. The bar's evening ritual pairs contemporary finger food with crafted cocktails. A daily buffet breakfast brims with local flavours. Guests can immerse in curated experiences, from exploring the Cathedral to unwinding at Iridium Spa Suites with bespoke MyBlend therapies, capturing Florence's timeless rhythm with effortless grace. Nestled 500 meters from Santa Maria Novella Train Station and 1 kilometer from the Cathedral, with Florence Airport a short journey away, The St. Regis Florence offers seamless access to the city's treasures. A gym, spa, free WiFi, and event venues elevate the experience, ensuring serene renewal in a setting of palatial splendor.
From £405 per night
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, a 5-star sanctuary in Florence's cultural heart, blends Renaissance grandeur with modern opulence, set amidst the 4.5-hectare Giardino della Gherardesca, the city's largest private garden. The 116 luxurious rooms and suites, housed in the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and 16th-century Palazzo Del Nero, exude Florentine elegance with frescoed walls, vaulted ceilings, and antique furnishings. Air-conditioned spaces feature LCD TVs, DVD players, Nespresso machines, minibars, and private bathrooms with bathrobes, slippers, and L'Occitane toiletries. Many open to private balconies overlooking the garden's statues, fountains, and centuries-old trees, weaving Florence's timeless beauty into every stay. Culinary artistry shines across five venues: Il Palagio, a Michelin-starred restaurant, crafts inventive Tuscan dishes like truffle-laced tagliata or chestnut gnocchi using local produce; Onde serves vibrant coastal seafood; Al Fresco offers poolside trattoria classics; Atrium Bar and Bar Berni pour artisanal cocktails and vermouths in elegant settings. A lavish breakfast buffet, brimming with fresh cornetti, local honeys, and seasonal fruits, is savoured in a frescoed salon or via 24-hour room service. The two-floor spa, a haven of indulgence, features nine treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna, hot tub, and pool on the upper terrace, with bespoke massages using botanical oils. A state-of-the-art gym and yoga sessions energize, while the sprawling garden invites serene strolls among olive trees and roses. A 24-hour concierge curates private Uffizi tours or Chianti wine tastings, with the Duomo and Accademia a 15-minute walk away. With complimentary Wi-Fi, private parking, and a location 8 km from Florence Airport, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze melds historic splendor with modern luxury, crafting an unforgettable Florentine escape.
From £855 per night
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence, a 5-star sanctuary perched on a hilltop in Fiesole, transforms a 15th-century monastery, with a façade attributed to Michelangelo, into a haven of Renaissance splendour overlooking Florence's timeless skyline. The 45 rooms and suites radiate Florentine elegance, blending terracotta floors, Carrara-marble bathrooms with Ortigia toiletries, and antique furnishings with modern luxuries like air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with CD/DVD players, Nespresso machines, and minibars. Many open to private terraces or balconies, revealing sweeping vistas of Florence's Duomo, Arno River, or the hotel's terraced gardens lush with cypress trees and fragrant roses, weaving the Tuscan landscape into every stay. An American breakfast buffet, brimming with fresh pastries, local cheeses, and seasonal fruits, is served daily in the sun-dappled Loggia or in-room for intimate mornings. Culinary artistry unfolds at La Loggia Restaurant, where Chef Alessandro Cozzolino crafts Tuscan-inspired dishes—think pappardelle with wild boar ragù or bistecca alla Fiorentina—using ingredients from local markets, paired with Chianti Classico wines or artisanal cocktails from the cloister bar. The open-air Cloister Bar offers light bites and aperitivi under starlit skies, with panoramic Florence views enhancing the enchanting ambiance. The hotel's serene grounds feature an outdoor pool nestled amid olive groves, perfect for tranquil swims, while a state-of-the-art fitness centre and curated yoga sessions energize guests. A wellness spa offers bespoke massages in a former monk's cell, harmonising body and mind. Families delight in tailored kids' activities, from pizza-making classes to treasure hunts in the gardens, while adults explore Florence via a complimentary shuttle to Piazza della Repubblica or curated tours to the Uffizi or nearby Chianti vineyards. A 24-hour concierge arranges private airport transfers to Florence Airport, 12 km away, or bespoke experiences like truffle hunting or Vespa tours through Tuscan hills. With free parking and Wi-Fi, this Belmond retreat melds monastic serenity with Florence's vibrant cultural pulse, crafting an unforgettable escape.
From £955 per night