As one of the most historic cities in the World, it comes as no surprise that Florence is home to an abundance of luxury hotels where character and Firenze charm come as standard. But how many hotels in Florence can say they sit upon ancient Roman baths, were mentioned in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code and are just a stone’s throw away from the cities’ famous Cathedral di Santa Maria? The answer is only one. Welcome to Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence.
The Tower Suite, the Brunelleschi’s most exclusive suite that is popular for honeymooners and special occasions
I was lucky enough to enjoy a two-night stay at Hotel Brunelleschi at the end of my Tuscan road trip that went through Pisa, San Gimignano, Casole d’Elsa and Siena. Florence was the fifth and final stop of our tour. Here’s my experience of The 4* Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence…
The Travelista arriving in Florence
Getting There
After dropping off our hire car near Florence airport, my boyfriend and I were met by a charming driver from the Brunelleschi who collected us and whisked us off to the hotel. As the streets got narrower and the crowds got bigger I could tell we were getting close to our destination. The car turned down a small side alley, which opened up into a walled courtyard called Piazza Santa Elisabetta. This was the charming entrance of the Hotel Brunelleschi.
The Brunelleschi’s Osteria Restaurant which is located on the ground floor. Outdoor seating for the restaurant is located in the quaint courtyard entrance of the hotel.
First Impressions
Upon arrival we received a warm welcome from Sefano, the hotels Front Office Manager. After checking in we were personally shown the way to our room by the Sergio, the hotel’s Golden Keys Head Concierge. He also showed us around the room and pointed out all the room features, which was a friendly and personal touch that immediately made me feel at home.
The grand lobby of the Brunelleschi with original exposed brickwork and luxe furnishings
Quirky Rooms and Luxurious Extras
Because the hotel itself spans through a series of connecting buildings, some of the rooms have rather quirky layouts. Our room was a series of 4 connecting rooms, which made it very long and narrow but still very spacious.
The bedroom of our suite with traditional Italian shutters and a view that looked out on to Via del Corso
The separate rooms started with an entrance lounge and went through to the bedroom, washroom and bathroom. There was also a walk-in wardrobe connected to the bedroom, very Carrie Bradshaw I thought.
The lounge area complete with sofa, chairs and wide screen TV
His and hers sinks in the wash room that connected to a large bathroom
The bathroom with standalone jacuzzi bathtub and large rain-shower around the corner.
Additional extras within the room that I loved were a Nespresso machine, two bottles of water, fluffy robes and slippers and luxurious toiletries.
Homely extras such as the Nespresso machine made all the difference
The best bit of all was discovering a beautiful bottle of prosecco on ice with two glass flutes ready to celebrate our arrival in Florence. Did we crack it open? Of course we did!
A welcome bottle of prosecco on ice along with a personal welcome letter addressed to Ms Gibson
Location, Location, Location
When looking for a hotel in a city like Florence, I believe that location is everything. The city is small enough to discover everything on foot, so being centrally located is one of the biggest luxuries. I loved that Hotel Brunelleschi was located so close to the Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo, but the entrance was through a small hidden piazza, which gave it a private and exclusive feel away from the masses.
The Brunelleschi is under 5 minutes walk from the stunning Piazza del Duomo
In terms of walking distances from Hotel Brunelleschi, you can reach the Piazza del Duomo in under 5 minutes, the Palazzo Vecchio in under 10 minutes and the river and Ponte Vecchio in under 15 minutes. It’s also 1 minute away from a fabulous Gelato shop called Fiesta del Gelato which is located on Via del Corso (perfect for an after dinner treat!).
Santa Elisabetta Restaurant
On the second night of our stay at the Brunelleschi my boyfriend and I managed to get a table at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant Santa Elistabetta, which is located in the hotel’s Pagliazza Tower. The tower is the oldest building still standing in the historical centre of Florence that dates back to the 6th and 7th century. Wow!
With only 7 tables in the restaurant catering for 24 covers, the restaurant feels exclusive, lavish and incredibly intimate and I loved how we were dining in a place with so much history.
The timeless white decor of the Santa Elisabetta restaurant felt stylish and luxurious
We were greeted by our waiter who served us a welcome glass of prosecco in ornate cupped champagne glasses. He ran through the wine list with us but as we were being a little indecisive, he allowed us to do a mini tasting of 3 different red wines before we chose our bottle (another personal touch that made the experience feel very tailored to our needs).
My main course – fillet of beef cooked medium rare with red wine jus, potatoes and chickpeas
I started with a light grilled calamari ‘primi’, followed by a delicious ragu duck and gnocchi ‘secondi’ before the main course of beef fillet. The duck dish was rich, flavoursome and melt-in-the-mouth. The beef was a premium cut that was cooked exactly how I liked it. Along with the delicious red wine, it was an deliciously indulgent dining experience.
A romantic table for two
The Breakfast Buffet
Another thing I loved about the Brunelleschi was the breakfasts! Breakfast is included with every booking, which is great when you’ve got a busy day of sightseeing ahead. It was a help-yourself buffet with cooked breakfasts, fresh pastries, yoghurts, toast, breads, meats, cheeses and lots more. There was even a bottle of prosecco on the go!
The Brunelleschi’s breakfast buffet has the traditional cooked favourites as well as lots of healthy choices
The choice was endless and friendly waitresses are quick to serve you your morning coffee made fresh to order.
The Prima Colaziona breakfast buffet at The Brunelleschi
A Fascinating History
As well as being home to the beautiful Pagliazza Tower,Hotel Brunelleschi is built on top of some of Florence’s ancient Roman baths. The sites include a Calidarium and Hammam, both of which have been perfectly restored and are now part of a small museum that brings the ancient history to life.
The hotel was also mentioned in Dan Brown’s famous novel The Da Vinci Code and many Dan Brown fans flock to stay at the hotel because of it’s mention in the book.
The original Roman baths and museum hidden perfectly preserved underneath the Brunelleschi Hotel
The Verdict
The Hotel Brunelleschi Florence is laced with history around every corner but modernised with timeless decor, luxurious extras and friendly service. So many elements of the stay gave it a real personal touch, from the mini pre-dinner wine tasting to bespoke walking tours recommended by concierge. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Florence with a brilliant location and charming history,Hotel Brunelleschi is for you.
What did you think of my review of Hotel Brunelleschi? Are you planning to book a hotel in Florence? If you enjoyed reading this post or need any more advice about this hotel, please comment on the box below and let me know! x
Rooms at Hotel Brunelleschi start from €248 including breakfast based on two people sharing. Wifi is also free of charge. www.brunelleschihotelflorence.com.
I’ve never stayed at a European hotel, but your photos definitely surpass my expectations! You’re so lucky to have stayed at such a beautiful place.
Everything looks so amazing! I can’t wait to visit Europe again!
http://adornedinarmor.com
Oh Florence is just beautiful! I visited when I was in high school but I think I’d appreciate it a bit more if I visited now. And I’d go back any day for an ice cream that looks as delicious as that 🙂
I’m new to the blogging scene. What is the proper procedure for contacting a hotel or other establishment for permission or is this even necessary? Especially if you are new and don’t have credentials or experience. Thank you!!
Jess this hotel looks divine! Rich and I are heading to Florence as part of our honeymoon tour of Italy in a month’s time and we’ve already booked accommodation but I’m seriously considering dinner at Santa Elizabetta restaurant after this!
Polly xx
Follow Your Sunshine
I remember when I was living in Florence that I would walk past here everyday, and at the time it was being renovated and I would always think “What is that place because it’s gorgeous and reminds me of Rapunzel!” Glad you had a nice stay, it’s definitely one of the nicest hotels in Florence.
Sounds amazing!
Thanks Denim Fish! Hope you enjoyed the post x
Oh Jess, how lovely. I always prefer something rustic over modern in Italy, it just feels so much more authentic.
Lots of love,
Angie
So glad you agree Angie! The best hotels in Italy are rustic, charming and full of history. It doesn’t mean they can’t be luxurious though 🙂 Brunelleschi ticks all the boxes.
Thanks for your comment lovely x