The 2018 World's Best Hotels in Florence

Courtesy of Hotel Lungarno

Strolling the streets of Florence is like wandering through an open-air museum. Between the elegant villas, historic churches, and atmospheric piazzas, the city offers Renaissance grandeur at every turn. And while you’ll want to spend as many hours as possible exploring these incredible sights, the top hotels are just as enchanting, offering a different perspective on this Renaissance city.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Related: The 2018 World's Best Awards

Florence is one of those places where the hackneyed phrase — location, location, location — actually applies. Since the town is easily explored on foot, the best hotels serve as great jumping-off points. For example, Hotel Brunelleschi, which claimed No. 5 on this year’s list, is set in a church that faces the iconic Duomo. And if you splurge on the Pagliazza Tower Suite, which occupies a circular Byzantine tower, you’ll have dead-on views of Brunelleschi’s masterpiece.

For those who want to escape the tourist hordes while still staying close to the action, nothing compares to the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, voted No. 4 by T+L readers. The sumptuous property — a 15th-century former palace — is situated on one of the largest privately owned gardens in Florence, 15 minutes’ walk from the Duomo. Guests can wander the temple-studded gardens, dine at the Michelin-starred Il Palagio restaurant, or lounge around the large outdoor swimming pool.

No. 3 Belmond Villa San Michele also offers a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. The former monastery is located in the sleepy village of Fiesole, a 20-minute drive from Florence’s main attractions, where it overlooks terraced gardens and the Arno Valley. Guests can tuck in to traditional Italian fare at the restaurant La Loggia or refine their culinary skills through hands-on demonstrations at the cooking school.

This year, two properties — Villa Cora and Hotel Lungarno — tied for first place. Read on for more details about these winning properties.

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5. Hotel Brunelleschi

Courtesy of Hotel Brunelleschi

Score: 90.18

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4. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Courtesy of Four Seasons

Score: 91.93

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3. Belmond Villa San Michele

Courtesy of Belmond

Score: 92.67

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1. (tie) Hotel Lungarno

Courtesy of Hotel Lungarno

Score: 93.00

One is a swanky, residential-style gem on the Arno River; the other is a fresco-covered villa built by a baron for his wife in the 1870s. Despite their differences in style and character, both of our winning properties this year promise unparalleled guest experiences.

Built on the Arno River overlooking the iconic Ponte Vecchio, Hotel Lungarno — the flagship hotel of the Ferragamo Lungarno Collection — has one of the most covetable addresses in the entire city. And after an extensive revamp to the lobby and guest rooms in 2017, the 65-key property has never looked better. Interiors blend residential elegance and nautical flair, with blue and white striped carpeting, white boiserie, and a museum-worthy art collection including works by the likes of Picasso, Cocteau, and Bueno.

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1. (tie) Villa Cora

Courtesy of Villa Cora

Score: 93.00

The trompe l’oeil frescoes and classical statues at Villa Cora, a 19th-century villa overlooking the Boboli Gardens, are no less impressive. After you’ve finished gawking, sip champagne on the rooftop that looks out over the garden, relax in the spa, or lounge around the heated outdoor pool, shaded by towering oak trees. When you’re ready to do some exploring, head to the nearby Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view over the city.

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2018.

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The Top 5 Hotels in Florence in 2018