Palazzo Magnani Feroni

A 16th century palazzo in the heart of Florence with vast suites, elegant salons, a panoramic roof terrace and discreet old-world service

Florence is a crowded city, full of churches and palaces, paintings and sculptures, mopeds and buses, and tourists. But, if you’re feeling cramped, there’s one hotel that will give you space, and masses of it. Each suite - some are newly frescoed - is big enough to hold a cocktail party in, and each has an equally spacious sitting room... floor-to-ceiling mirrors that Goliath could have dressed in front of, wardrobes that would hold his clothes. Broad landings lead past elegant galleries laid out with snacks and hot drinks for any passing guest. And alongside the 12 suites (a hotel chain would have packed in twice as many) there’s space for a billiard room and a gym.

Climb to the rooftop loggia of the 4-storey palazzo and you gaze over the whole of central Florence, a jumble of red roofs cut by the silvery-blue Arno and punctuated by the domes of San Frediano and the massive cathedral. It’s a grand feeling, being in the centre of town, yet a world away from the hubbub.

Highs

• The sense of history – it’s still more private palazzo than hotel, and you can't help but feel special when you walk in so it's perfect for a celebration
• Delightful small touches: white-gloved waiters and champagne at breakfast, opera CDs to play in your suite
• 5* service - nothing is too much trouble, and staff are charming
• Each suite has a huge bedroom & sitting room
• You're in the heart of Florence's 'rive gauche', 500m from the major sites, and just being here is uplifting

Lows

• Some of the rooms are a little dark
• Some don't have much of a view
• This amount of swishness and space does not come cheap!