Florence is a city full of history and culture. If you are like our clients, for whom the hotel stay is a key part of enjoying a trip, Florence is home to some of Italy’s best luxury hotels. Here you will find our curated shortlist of 5 star hotels in Florence to help you decide where to splurge. The selection is based on our insider knowledge, local connections, and expertise in creating custom Italy itineraries focused on authentic travel experiences.

How we select the best hotels in Florence

At Nancy Aiello Tours we prioritize firsthand experience as the best way to be versed in what works best for our discerning clientele. From superior views to sought-after locations, we've personally vetted and handpicked the very best 5 star hotels in Florence to enhance your journey to Italy. When selecting hotels, our Travel Advisors consider properties that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping local charm, great location and distinctive service credentials top of mind.

Checking In: Hotel Villa Cora

Situated on the outskirts of Florence within a landscaped park that overlooks the Boboli Gardens this luxury hotel has a long history of hosting celebrities, artists, and royalty. This elegant and exclusive 19th century Villa blends old world elegance with modern amenities and attracts a mix of families and couples.

The hotel features a fine-dining restaurant serving Italian cuisine including regional specialties, a lounge, and a poolside restaurant and glamorous bar serving cocktails. After exploring Florence, guests can indulge in a massage at the spa or take a swim in the outdoor pool (open seasonally).
Insider Tip: Guests can take in sweeping views of Florence while sipping aperitifs on the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

Checking In: Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence

Ideally situated on a hillside near the village of Fiesole, Villa San Michele offers amazing views of Florence and the Arno Valley. The splendid location offers solitude with convenient proximity to the treasures and beauty of Florence. Villa San Michele offers daily transportation to and from central Florence, only 20-minute drive away, via shuttle bus.

Formerly a 15th century Franciscan monastery, the Villa San Michele's facade was designed by Michelangelo, this unique property offers 46 rooms and Suites and has been designated a monument by the Italian national trust. The Villa offers a true renaissance experience complete with antique furnishings and upscale dining at the Loggia Restaurant are elevated with captivating views of the Arno Valley. The restaurant also features a children's menu specially created by the chef.

Checking In: Relais Santa Croce by Baglioni Hotels

Located in the heart of Florence, this charming palazzo is the ultimate expression of Tuscan elegance. Housed in a noble 18th-century residence, the hotel features 24 spacious rooms and suites which make the perfect backdrop for moments of relaxation. In addition to boasting the largest suite in all of Florence (Santa Croce Royal Suite, 260 square meters, including a jacuzzi and Turkish bath), the hotel is situated within the same building as the three-Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri, one of Italy's most celebrated restaurants. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel Lungarno

An icon on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the Hotel Lungarno promises excellent views of the water in addition to its 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. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel The Place Firenze

With 20 luxurious rooms offering everything for those who want a stylish place to settle in, guests truly have the feeling of being on a visit to someone’s sophisticated home when checking in at The Place Firenze. The hotel - formerly JK Place Florence- is a cozy, romantic haven in the heart of Florence, just stone’s throw from the Renaissance church of Santa Maria Novella. The rooftop terrace is an ideal place for a relaxing drink after a day immersed in the artistic beauty of Florence. Book your dream stay today

Checking In: Hotel Portrait Firenze

Portrait, which is located steps from Ponte Vecchio and 4 minutes by foot from Uffizi Gallery, 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. Make yourself at home in one of the 37 rooms and suites featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Plus, with 80% of rooms facing the river, guests are able to see the Arno and old-world Ponte Vecchio while being surrounded by warm-yet-modern interiors. 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

When to travel

Florence is an exciting place to visit at any time of the year, and most attractions are open all year round. The best time to visit Florence is in May, early June, late September and October. Days during those months are usually warm, and quite long. July and August are generally hot and humid with many tourists. Winter can get cold, particularly January but it is quiet. Temperatures are more favorable in the spring and autumn months.

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About 11 of Our Favorite 5 Star Hotels in Florence

We know 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.

As experts in luxury Italy travel, we know the ins and outs of each 5 star hotel in Florence and look forward to helping our clients find the perfect room within their perfect place to unwind at the end of the day!

Our Top 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.