The Place Firenze

Rooms

The 20 rooms are spread over the upper floors, reached by a well-concealed elevator or a broad, winding stairwell. They vary in size and layout, but all share the same soothing, neutral décor: thick cream curtains, grey rugs, chrome lamps, marble-topped tables, soft abstracts on the walls - a very harmonious effect, carefully woven together by architect Michele Bönan, who also designed many of the beds and sofas.

They also share the same basic equipment: LED Satellite TV, WiFi, minibars with complimentary soft drinks and snacks; and, in the bathrooms, large shower heads, heated towel rails, shaving mirrors, fluffy towels, robes and slippers. It’s a cosseting experience from head to toe - perfect after a hard day’s sightseeing or shopping.

We were lucky enough to stay in one of the top-of-the-pile Santa Maria Novella Master Rooms, a magnificent space (50 sq.m) immediately above the entrance, with 3 tall windows and a small balcony over the piazza. At one end sat a four-poster bed, at the other a sofa, armchairs and coffee table, while a crystal chandelier overhead set off the modern table lamps.

The duplex Duomo Rooftop Loft is on the top (fourth) floor, with a spacious and panoramic bathroom and private terrace upstairs, and a darker (but more private) bedroom downstairs. The views over Florence’s rooftops to the Duomo are superb. Also split-level is the Panoramic Loft, which has a sitting room and shower room downstairs, and a double bedroom and main bathroom upstairs - perfect for a small family. Most other suites look onto the inner courtyard, but are equally spacious.

The Junior Suite is large enough for 3 people and overlooks the piazza, while Deluxe Rooms are smaller with views onto the inner courtyard. The Superior Rooms are smaller still, with limited views and/or access via the gallery-landing. Some are what you would call cosy, but all are fully equipped for a pampering shower and a good night’s sleep, which is what matters.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is served in the ground-floor dining room; or a selection can be brought to your room on a silver tray. Choose from fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurts, croissants, juices and a wide array of teas and coffees, plus hot dishes like eggs any style, pancakes and porridge.

The hotel’s restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. It’s a monochrome space decked out rather like a modern members’ club, with white armchairs and chrome angle-poise lamps. The menu of classic international dishes and seasonal Italian fare changes regularly; dishes might include Caprese salad, beef fillet, totelli pasta and vegetable tartare. You can also sit outside on the Terrace on the piazza, marvelling at the facade of Santa Maria Novella while you sip your cappuccino and gelato.

Afternoon tea with homemade cake is also on offer at The Place, best enjoyed fireside. For cocktails either stick to the laid-back lounge bar or head up to the bijou roof terrace, particularly elegant at golden hour.

In the neighbourhood, we loved the legendary I Latini on via del Palchetti (shared tables, vast portions of pasta, cold meats, Tuscan soups and steaks); while staff and guests recommend Trattoria Parione ("art on a plate") and Buca Mario on Piazza degli Ottavianni ("homemade pasta & great wines").

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Sip cocktails on the rooftop terrace with glimpses of the Duomo; or, for front-row views of Santa Maria Novella's geometrically marbled façade, order cappuccino and gelato on the hotel's piazza-front seating
  
• Don't forget to pop into the church of Santa Maria - much quieter than the Duomo, but still impressive with 500-year-old stained glass, trompe-l'oeil frescoes and relaxing cloisters; and just behind it is the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica, where heady perfumes and pot-pourris have been produced for over 400 years (originally by the Dominican friars)
  
• Shoe-fetishists should head to the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo on via Tornabuoni, Florence's prime shopping street; exhibits include rhinestone stilettos tailormade for Marilyn Monroe, ballet pumps worn by Audrey Hepburn, and Judy Garland's vast rainbow platforms
  
• Equally trend-setting is the Gucci museum on Piazza della Signoria: a fantastically restored, 3-storey palazzo dedicated to Florentine fashion, with a cool café too
  
• First-timers to Florence should climb to the top of the Duomo for a bird’s eye view of the city (expect queues in season); pre-book tickets for the ultimate Renaissance picture collection in the Uffizi gallery; and amble over the Ponte Vecchio at sunset, admiring the gleaming silver of the river Arno and of the jewellery stalls
  
• Culture vultures can choose from dozens more museums in the Palazzo Pitti, the Bargello, and any number of sculpture-filled piazzas
  
• Urban ramblers should cross the river to explore the medieval streets of the Oltrarno (south bank), traditionally home to Florence's milliners, silk-weavers and leather-makers - many of whom are still in business

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Wine tasting

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome at The Place Firenze and under 12s are free in their parents' room. There is a supplement for over 12s in a standard extra bed. The hotel makes an effort to welcome babies and toddlers, but be aware that the rooms are quite smart, with designer furnishings and light-coloured fabrics.

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Place Firenze is set in a sought-after location on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella in the heart of Florence.

By Air
There are some flights to Florence Peretola Airport. However, most people fly to Pisa Galileo. Rome and Milan airports are about 3 hours from Florence. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Taxis from Florence Peretola will cost around €25. The journey takes around 40 minutes depending on traffic. Or there’s a shuttle service.

By Train
Santa Maria Novella central station is a couple of streets away from the hotel. It's served by regular trains from Rome and elsewhere in Italy.

By Car
You won't need a car if this is just a city visit, but if you want to hire one for a wider tour of the region see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm your booking.

More on getting to Italy and getting around