While there are plenty of excellent hotels and BnBs in Florence, there’s something special about staying in a boutique hotel. Perhaps it’s the attention to detail in the amenities, or the quick and helpful hotel staff. Whatever the joie de vivre, these boutique hotels in Florence make hospitality an art.
Imagine it: you’ve finally blocked out the dates for your trip to Florence. You book the plane ticket, dig your passport out of wherever it was hidden, and then make a quick search for accommodations in your preferred app. But then you scroll and scroll and scroll and struggle to decide among the thousands of options of hostels, chain hotels, BnBs, villas, apartments, private rooms, and boutique hotels in Florence.
There’s always the fear that a place that looks like a dream online turns out to be a nightmare. Don’t worry though, we’re here to take the fear out of deciding where to stay in Florence. We’ve done the hard work to narrow down that list and share only the best accommodations with you.
Keep reading for our luxurious list of the best 7 boutique hotels in Florence.
Villino Fiorentino
The fully renovated, boutique B&B Villino Fiorentino exudes comfort and relaxation with refined elegance. Hop on the tram and arrive in the historic center in four minutes for all your sightseeing, then return to your casa dolce casa for a quiet respite.
No matter how you arrive in Florence, Villino Fiorentino is easily accessible by car or tramway. The plentiful amenities include free private parking, daily and copious breakfast, unlimited free high-speed WiFi, and bicycle rentals.
25hours Hotel
After a much-anticipated opening in 2021, the new 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino is now dazzling guests. Interior designer Paola Navone was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, which you can see in every detail. Motifs of heaven and hell, virtue and vice, play off of one another as you wander its halls. While technically a little large to be considered a boutique hotel with over 100 rooms, we had to include 25hours in this list for its truly one-of-a-kind, high-quality experience.
At 25hours, you can choose from rooms decorated in a “heavenly” or “hellish” style, appropriately named “Paradiso” and “Inferno”. Hang out in the lush courtyard garden, or kick back at the traditional Negroni bar for aperitivo. Amenities include bike rentals, a spa with a relaxing sauna, and a fitness center.
Ambasciatori Hotel by c-hotels
Another slightly larger-than-boutique hotel in Florence but still deserving of recognition is Ambasciatori Hotel. Located nearby the train station, this elegant hotel is chock full of amenities. It’s a great option for families traveling to Florence with kids, or a business trip home away from home.
Ambasciatori Hotel has a wealth of excellent amenities to satisfy your every need. The on-site bar and restaurant are open every day from 7 p.m. to midnight. Buffet breakfast is every morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. There’s also a swimming pool! Finally, other amenities include 24-hour reception, paid parking, Wi-Fi, rooms, facilities for disabled guests, a babysitting service, and the hotel is entirely non-smoking.
Hotel Milu
A classic boutique hotel in Florence is Hotel Milu, located on the famous high-fashion street Via Tornabuoni. 22 rooms in a 14th-century palazzo, with a 19th-century grand staircase connecting the five floors. Contemporary furnishings married with historic elegance make a stay at Hotel Milu feel luxurious and elegant while remaining comfortable and relaxed.
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast. The rooftop terrace is open so that guests can take in stunning views of the city and surrounding hills. Or you can relax in the library. If you really want to treat yourself, you can book a variety of beauty treatments and massages at Hotel Milu’s partner luxury spa, located just a few steps from the hotel.
Canto Degli Aranci
To experience true Florentine hospitality, the boutique B&B Canto Degli Aranci is the place to stay. Canto Degli Aranci prides itself in its dedication to sharing the history of Florence, beginning with its business name.
Meaning, “corner of the oranges,” the name pays homage to an orange grove that used to exist on the site in the middle ages. Located on the corner of Via Verdi and Via Ghibellina in the Santa Croce neighborhood, it was on this corner (called a “canto” back in the day) that poets would gather and challenge each other to improvise verses.
Historical curiosities aside, your stay at the centrally located Canto Degli Aranci will be comfortable and simply luxurious. Each room is uniquely decorated with contemporary furniture, hand selected to complement the 19th-century building. Amenities include continental breakfast, a complimentary toiletries kit by Aquaflor Florence (a local perfumery), free and unlimited Wi-Fi, and a minibar. They also special services such as booking museum tickets, arranging transportation, and special discounts on private garages in the area.
Il Salviatino
There’s nothing more Tuscan than staying in a gorgeous villa (A Room With a View, anyone?). So we had to include Il Salviatino on our list. A 15th-century restored villa nestled into the Tuscan hills with stunning views, you’ll be made to feel like you own your own villa. With only 40 rooms and suites to serve, the staff at Il Salviatino make hospitality and your comfort their top priority.
Enjoy breakfast or a candlelit dinner on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Duomo. Relax at the spa or in the heated outdoor horizon pool. Along with these, all rooms receive a full buffet breakfast, a minibar and coffee machine, high-speed Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service.
Hotel Bernini Palace
If you want an unforgettable experience in Florence and feel like a Renaissance elite, stay at Hotel Bernini Palace. The 15th-century building gone luxury hotel is located behind Piazza della Signoria and overlooks Palazzo Vecchio. The building has strong ties to the time when the Republic of Italy was founded and Florence was the capital, which you can feel when you enter the grand space.
As for the rooms and suites, you’ll be transported back in time by Renaissance-inspired furnishings. Think wooden-beamed ceilings, four-poster beds, tapestries, fine linens, and ornate furniture. Despite all this finery, Hotel Bernini is pet-friendly! Other amenities include an on-site restaurant and bar, free Wi-Fi, expert concierges, and many unique experiences and excursions to supplement your visit.
Verity Pryor-Harden is a freelancer of many talents living in the historical Tuscan city of Arezzo while studying Visual Communications in Florence. She’s a sucker for a cold spritz in a piazza on a hot day, enjoys making bizarre wine pairings, and is a Tuscan street food enthusiast. Follow along on Instagram @verityeph.