The image of the duomo at the heart of Florence is a spectacular thing to behold in real life. There is no shortage of things at which to wonder in the Tuscan capital, be it the art and architecture or the gardens and parks, but the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is on its own plane.
The sheer scale of the place when up close is humbling, and makes a city break to Florence worth the trip on its own.
There are a great many businesses in the city which trade off its truly iconic image to promote their offering, but none come close to the Hotel Savoy: its consummate luxury paired with its proximity to – and panoramas of – the duomo are beyond compare.
Why Stay Here?
The two main reasons for visiting Florence are the culture and the shopping – Hotel Savoy is at the centre of both. All of the main tourist hotspots are within a ten-minute stroll – Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo’s David, Medici Palace – and the streets in between are lined with the most up-scale boutiques in the city.
The hotel is located on Piazza della Repubblica, a landmark for locals looking to catch up over a coffee or aperitivo at one of the opulent coffee shops which occupy the sides. In the evening a carousel starts up, helping to turn the area into a beacon of noise and light, and the perfect place to gather ahead of a night out.
The bustling nature of that square, and the fact that Piazza del Duomo is just round the corner, does not detract from the relaxing nature of the hotel. Once the doormen have closed the door behind you a calm immediately descends, allowing you to begin decompressing from the chaos which can occupy the city streets.
The décor of the public areas is crisp and modern, with a discreet character that sets Hotel Savoy apart from its local rivals. While there are many little corners and boltholes dotted around the corridors which offer a space to relax, the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the spa suite on the top floor.
An abundance of natural light floods in the windows; views across the neighbouring rooftops draw the eye to the imposing magnificence of the duomo. Many luxury properties have spas signed by the world’s biggest and most famous cosmetic brands, but Hotel Savoy have chosen to stay local – Santa Maria Novella have been making ointments in the area for a staggering 800 years. Alongside the truffle-hunting excursions to the local forests and locally-sourced ingredients in the restaurant, this underlines the hotel’s commitment to making a stay here a proper Tuscan experience.
How’s the Food?
Italy is rightly proud of its cuisine, so the hotels here have a responsibility to uphold the tradition of excellence. On-site restaurant Irene is available from breakfast through to late dinner (and perhaps even a nightcap after) and maintains the theme of presenting the beauty of Tuscany.
The menu is signed by Fulvio Pierangelini, formerly holder of two Michelin stars at Gambero Rosso, and is filled with Tuscan classics: the Ribollita, a traditional soup featured on 99% of local menus, is probably the best in the city, and the Tuscan stuffed pork.
In the warmer months the terrace outside offers the chance to enjoy al fresco breakfasts and evening cocktails, and is a godsend when places in the rest of the bars around the square become very hard to find.
As well as the food, a big part of the Italian national identity is rooted in coffee – in the cool of the morning, with a blue sky above you and the city beginning to wake up all around, that terrace is a wonderful place to begin your day.
What are the rooms like?
In a word, cosy. Ceilings are low, but floor space is impressive, and the modernity of the fixtures and fitting make the whole place feel fresh and new. Rooms and suites to the front of the hotel have views over the square outside – ideal for a moment spent sipping an espresso and watching the city bustle by – while those at the back look onto the duomo, making it feel so close you could almost touch it.
Being able to get so close feels special, but does come with a caveat – if you’re not expecting it, your wake-up call from the church bells can be a startling experience. Thankfully, even if the first morning is a bit of a shock, by the second morning being roused from your slumber in this way takes on an ethereal elegance.
Florence is a city which many visitors return to time and time again after they have first discovered it. Hotel Savoy recognises this, and strives to constantly reimagine itself in subtle ways so that frequent visitors feel the comfort of familiarity without ever growing weary of the same old stuff.
This commitment, along with the commitment to championing Florentine excellence wherever possible, results in regular evolution of collaborators and displays.
Next up is a range of unique and bespoke upholstery by Florence-based fashion house Pucci, whose trademark colourful patterns will adorn the furniture in the bar and public areas.
In a city which has been a beacon of the art world for more than 700 years, it is fitting that one of her best hotels still works with local artists to ensure the welcome offered to travellers is regularly reborn.
Rooms from €490. roccofortehotels.com
