Santa Croce/San Marco
COST: $$$$$
Following a massive building restoration, Florence’s 117-room Four Seasons hotel finally opened in June 2008. Located in the 15th/16th-century Palazzo Scala della Gherardesca—with monumental frescoed halls and room décors that range from opulent Renaissance suites to a discreetly elegant, almost Georgian style in most rooms—this is the city’s first true resort hotel. Facilities include a spa, an outdoor pool, and an eight-acre private park. Room amenities go beyond the usual satellite TV to include DVD players, iPod docking stations, twice-daily maid service, and Wi-Fi. Service, under manager Patrizio Cipollini, is top-notch. There’s an annex in an ex-convent—500 yards away, on the far side of the park—with its own entrance at 46 Via Gino Capponi.
Insider Tip: Those traveling with families should ask the concierge to arrange a kid-oriented visit to the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, or the nearby Pinocchio Park (Pinocchio’s creator was from the town of Collodi, just down the Arno toward Pisa).
Room to Book: The 37 rooms in the former convent building are the quietest and most discreet. With its own reception desk and breakfast room, the Conventino has the advantages of a small boutique hotel with the facilities of a larger resort.
As Featured In...
From Travel + Leisure, Nov 2008
“Forget peanuts and M&M’s. We scoured the globe for great in-room treats that really give you a sense of where you are....” MORE>>
From Travel + Leisure, Oct 2008
“Take the egg at the new Four Seasons Hotel in Florence. The resident chef, Vito Mollica, met the man from whom it came, Paolo Parisi, on the farmer’s estate near Pisa...” MORE>>
From Travel + Leisure, May 2008
“Its appeal is unquestionable, but with 10 provinces, navigating this vast region isn’t easy. From exceptional restaurants and stylish hotels to artisanal treasures and renowned wineries, our complete guide brings you the best of Tuscany now...” MORE>>
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