Florence never runs short on hotels. This is, after all, the city of the Medici, where luxury was practically invented. But if you want a stay that feels both quintessentially Florentine and distinctly modern, there’s one address that delivers: Hotel Savoy, A Rocco Forte Hotel. From its perch on Piazza della Repubblica, Hotel Savoy blends location, design, family heritage, and just the right touch of wit. Here are ten reasons it should be your Florentine home base.
1. You’re in the Center of It All
Step outside and you’re already in Piazza della Repubblica, Florence’s living room. Street performers, historic cafés, and the city’s carousel are all within arm’s reach. Take a few more steps and the Duomo fills your sightline. Some rooms even frame Brunelleschi’s dome like a private Renaissance painting. Others give you a front-row seat to the piazza’s daily theater. Either way, Florence doesn’t just surround you, it greets you from the window.
2. A Family Business with a Personal Touch
Hotel Savoy is part of Rocco Forte Hotels, a collection that’s as family-run as it is world-class. Sir Rocco Forte charts the vision, his sister Olga Polizzi designs the interiors, daughter Irene Forte oversees wellness and skincare, daughter Lydia Forte curates the food and beverage programs, and son Charles Forte drives development. The result? Hotels that feel personal, where every detail has someone’s name behind it.
3. Olga Polizzi’s Eye for Design
At Hotel Savoy, Olga Polizzi has created a canvas that feels both chic and playful. Soft, neutral tones set a calming backdrop, while quirky art nods to Florence’s Renaissance legacy with a wink; think old masters reimagined with modern twists. Fabrics and furnishings reference Tuscan craftsmanship. The overall effect is unmistakably Italian: stylish, layered, and comfortable without trying too hard.
4. The Rooms, and Those Views
Florence is one of the few cities where what’s outside the window competes with what’s inside. At Hotel Savoy, you don’t have to choose. One side offers views of the Duomo, its dome glowing at sunrise or bathed in evening light. The other overlooks Piazza della Repubblica, where café culture and live music create their own daily fresco. Inside, you’ll find Irene Forte bath products, soft robes, and turndown gifts that make returning to your room a small celebration.
5. Breakfast Done Properly
Forget the quick espresso-and-cornetto routine. At Hotel Savoy, breakfast is an occasion, and the service and spread are worth factoring into your day. Seasonal fruit, warm pastries, local cheeses, cured meats, and eggs made to order fill the buffet. The cappuccinos arrive with crema so silky it could double as dessert. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you consider skipping lunch, though Florence’s trattorias will probably change your mind.
6. Restaurant Irene: Tuscan, Polished, and Fun
Named for Irene Forte, the hotel’s chic wellness director, restaurant Irene Firenze reinterprets Tuscan classics with modern flair. Expect handmade pastas, seasonal vegetables, and Mugello beef filet, all delivered with panache. The restaurant draws both travelers and Florentines, which is always the litmus test of a hotel dining room.
7. Artemisia Bar: Caravaggio, Rewritten
Aperitivo hour belongs to Bar Artemisia, where Florence’s past and present meet with a sly grin. The walls are covered in Caravaggio reproductions—but look closely, and you’ll see the twist. Artemisia Gentileschi is there, but this time she’s mid-selfie. Spotlights shine only on the women in these moody tableaux, correcting art history with a theatrical flourish. Cocktails are equally imaginative: a saffron-spiked negroni, a lavender gin creation, a spritz reengineered with botanicals. It’s a hotel bar that’s a destination in itself.
8. The Wellness Factor
Wellness here doesn’t mean an obligatory gym in the basement. With Irene Forte Skincare in every bathroom, your stay doubles as a spa ritual. Formulated with Sicilian botanicals (fig, orange blossom, rosemary), the products turn a quick shower or bath into a Mediterranean interlude. Guests also have access to the hotel’s fitness suite and can book spa treatments, ensuring Florence’s indulgences (hello, gelato) balance out nicely.
9. Small Luxuries That Add Up
Luxury is often about the little things, and Hotel Savoy excels at them. Plush slippers waiting by the bed. Evening turndown gifts that surprise. A newspaper of your choice delivered with breakfast. Even the way the staff remembers how you like your coffee. Together, these touches create the sense of being cared for by people, not protocols.
10. A Modern Classic
Hotel Savoy first opened in 1893, making it a witness to Florence’s modern history. Yet under the Rocco Forte family, it avoids being a relic. Instead, it feels vibrant and rooted in the city’s past but alive to the present. It’s the kind of hotel where you return not just for the views or the design, but because it feels like part of Florence itself.
Photos courtesy of Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel