When it comes to planning your trip to Italy, deciding where to stay is a close second behind the fundamental question of where to go. When Nancy Aiello Tours Travel Advisors are providing hotel recommendations for travelers, they think holistically, with considerations for high quality, convenient location, and superior customer service. With these considerations in mind, we've narrowed down a list of the best 5 Star hotels in Florence.

Our Favorite 5 Star Hotels in Florence Handpicked Just For You

An important part of every trip is the place you stay at. In Florence you are lucky even with that, because there you will get to experience the best hotels there are. Before you dive in, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What may be considered the "best" for one person may not necessarily be the right fit for another. This is why we believe in highly customized travel planning.

Our Tip: Be sure to get a handle on Florence's street-address numbering system before leaving your hotel for the first time. Hotels, bars, and restaurants are numbered differently than residential properties, so it can initially be jarring to find your way.

Checking In: Hotel Baglioni Relais Santa Croce

This 24-room luxury hotel is housed in an 18th-century Palazzo in the historic center of the city. In addition to boasting the largest suite in all of Florence (Santa Croce Royal Suite, 260 square meters, including a jacuzzi and Turkish bath), it's also home to the three-Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri. The most striking element of its Renaissance decor is the monumental chandelier hung in the center of the Sala della Musica and supported by historic wooden trusses based on the designs of Leonardo da Vinci. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel Lungarno

Hotel Lungarno is ideally located within walking distance of the Borgo San Jacopo Michelin-starred restaurant. With Ponte Vecchio as its backdrop, its 63 luxury rooms and suites are suspended over the river—and just a stone's throw away from the city's most renowned boutiques. It is the first choice for travelers who prefer smaller hotels but don't want to sacrifice top-class personal service and super central location Sounds like something you’d like to experience? Trust the experts at Nancy Aiello Tours to build an itinerary from scratch just for you with all the must-see sights and hidden gems. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel The Place Firenze

The formerly JK Place Florence is a cozy, romantic haven in the heart of Florence—a respite from the hustle bustle of nearby Piazza Santa Maria Novella. There are 20 rooms, all designed with modern decor and four-poster beds. Be sure to visit the private rooftop terrace and lounge serving local Tuscan specialties. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel Portrait Firenze

Portrait, which is located in the city center near the Duomo, likes to think of themselves less as a traditional “luxury hotel” and more as a “personal place, an all-suite property, where discerning travelers find the exclusivity they relish.” Consider a stay at this luxury  property which has 37 rooms and suites, including a wonderful rooftop suite.  The atmosphere is lively, the walls are decked in contemporary art, and their on-site osteria, Caffè dell’Oro channels 50s vintage and offers unparalleled views of the Ponte Vecchio Bridge—as well as inspired Italian classic dishes, of course. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Two Renaissance buildings—a 15th-century palazzo and a 16th-century convent—were restored and combined to create this "wonderful, wonderful hotel" set in an 11-acre private garden, Florence's largest. Bonuses include a two-story herbal SPA with treatments based on products made by the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy; a huge open-air pool; and three restaurants firmly rooted in Italy's seasonal Slow Food movement. The most famous is the Michelin-starred Il Palagio which in addition of sourcing local ingredients in its cuisine it lists roughly 400 wine labels.

The 116 bedrooms, in a bewildering range of categories, are well appointed and come with large marble-lined bathrooms; some guests will feel that the antique decor lacks brio, however. We prefer the rooms in the main palazzo to those in the rather isolated Conventino across the park—though the latter would work perfectly for a wedding party. If central location is a key factor, you may want to look elsewhere: It's a good 20-minute walk from the hotel to the Ponte Vecchio. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel Helvetia & Bristol Firenze

Founded in 1885, the Helvetia & Bristol is a historic luxury hotel located in the center of Florence, a few steps from Palazzo Strozzi, the Duomo and the luxury boutiques of via de' Tornabuoni. Last year it reopened after a major redevelopment and expansion project involving local master craftsmen. The renovation preserved the original 19-century structure. At the same time, it enriched the hotel with 25 new charming rooms and suites designed by designer Anouska Hempel (there are a total of 89 rooms). The Cibrèo restaurant & cocktail bar is also new serving traditional Tuscan and Italian dishes. The SPA where the ancient Roman Baths once stood is just amazing. It is one of the largest and most exclusive luxury retreats in town with its 540 square meters dedicated to well-being. The service at the Helvetia & Bristol is exceptional as the location making this hotel ideal for those looking for luxury travel. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel Savoy by Rocco Forte

Rescued from decay in the late '90s by Sir Rocco Forte, the Savoy is a stylish, upbeat hotel and one of the city's most popular, attracting both a business and leisure clientele plus a fair share of celebs. Olga Polizzi, Rocco's designing sister, has created a characteristically stylish and calm ambience using notes of dark wood, splashes of loud pattern and color, and some striking modern art against neutral beige and cream. All of the 80 rooms and suites are a perfect combination of Florentine tradition and contemporary style. The best overlooks the bustling Piazza della Repubblica from the upper floors.

At the Irene bistro, a tribute to Italian cuisine and regional ingredients, you can taste Tuscan specialties revisited in a modern way, expertly cooked by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini. Unmissable are the famous Pierangelini spaghetti, seasoned with fresh local tomatoes accompanied by fragrant basil, and the freshly caught fish grilled on a plate of pink Himalayan pink salt. Kids are well looked after here, too, with special touches like junior-size bathrobes and dedicated toiletries. Thanks to the high end service the Hotel Savoy is suitable for everyone from couples to multigenerational families. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: St. Regis Florence

This luxurious Arno-side 99-room property has a country-house-style library and lobby (where you check in at a couple of large tables) and affable service. Outside of the austerely fashionista one-off Bottega Veneta suite, room decor celebrates Florentine style in retro details like the landscape and cityscape murals in some rooms, and in the swish but sometimes overloaded classic contemporary furniture and ornaments. Angle for an Arno-facing room: The view upriver toward the Ponte Vecchio Bridge is breathtaking. Housed inside the glassed-in ground-floor winter garden, dominated by a huge Murano chandelier, the hotel's Winter Garden Restaurant is a hidden gem amongst the fine dining options in town. The hotel is a little out of the way (a couple of bridges east of the Ponte Vecchio), but definitely worth a stay. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Il Tornabuoni the Unbound Collection by Hyatt

This luxury 5*hotel close to the most prestigious fashion boutiques, is located in one of the oldest and most prestigious buildings in Florence historic center, the 13th century Palazzo Minerbetti. It combines Renaissance style with modern comforts and will surely seduce you with its beautiful furniture, delicate cuisine, and roof terrace with panoramic views. Go for the signature suite 501, which takes the name of the hotel: 60 square meters of pure luxury, embellished with a private terrace with a view of the Basilica of Santa Trinità and, from the opposite bank of the Arno, of the Basilica of Santo Spirito and Palazzo Pitti. Book your dream stay today