Al Palazzo del Marchese di Camugliano

Magnificent and stately are hardly overstatements at Al Palazzo del Marchese di Camugliano -- a breathtaking boutique property set in a 16th-century palazzo, now under ownership of the eponymous Florentine marquis. His home is literally yours during your stay, and be prepared to live in high style, as the hotel is packed with Renaissance heritage. Impossibly high ceilings, gorgeous frescos, and intricate sculpting constitute some of the palace’s beautiful original features. Upper-category rooms are even more striking, some with wall-to-wall frescos. The palazzo’s rooftop garden, complete with full-grown trees and a water feature, is a haven of calm from the constant bustle of tourists down below. It’s a favorite spot for breakfasts and evening drinks when weather permits, further adding to the special feeling of staying in a private noble residence. It's an only-in-Florence experience that attracts many mature couples, as well as honeymooners and the occasional family.  

Al Palazzo del Marchese di Camugliano is tucked away on a narrow street in Florence's historical center. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s right around the corner from some of Florence’s best traditional trattorias -- including Trattoria Marione, a one-minute walk away. High end shopping on Via de’ Tornabuoni is a two-minute walk from the hotel, while main cultural attractions such as the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery are seven minutes and 11 minutes away on foot, respectively. The main train station is an eight-minute walk, while Florence’s airport is 17 minutes away by car.

There are just 10 rooms at the Palazzo di Camugliano, each one featuring a different color scheme and beautiful original details. Though they’re not packed with the latest luxury amenities, the regal decor alone is enough to feel convincingly noble (unlike some of the fusty, antique options in central Florence). All rooms have tea/coffee facilities, bathrobes and slippers, free minibars stocked with soft drinks and beer, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi and safe access. Common features such as stately high ceilings, marble bathrooms, and four-poster beds in most rooms add even more romantic charm. Higher category rooms such as the Junior Suites and Suites are magnificent -- not to mention generously sized -- with breathtaking original features including elaborate frescos and intricate sculptural details. There are no views, but the rooms themselves are meant to be the focus: one of the Junior Suites features an alcoved bathroom, framed by an ornately sculpted archway, complete with its own ceiling fresco and freestanding bathtub. Although lower category rooms are smaller and more simply adorned, they’re elegant, stately spaces with ample charm. Keep in mind that the central location does mean a bit of noise in street-facing rooms.

True to most hotels in central Florence, this palazzo isn’t brimming with facilities. Instead, it offers a small handful of high-quality features. The free breakfast -- served in the tranquil roof garden in good weather -- is a guest favorite, prepared to order and tailored to each individual’s whim. This includes fresh fruit and orange juice, croissants, local meats, pancakes, and eggs cooked to order: the choice of items to order is seemingly endless. The palazzo also offers ample freebies throughout the day, including welcome drinks and snacks, daytime cakes and pastries, and an evening aperitif with canapes -- perfect after a tiring day of sightseeing. Various lounge spaces are adorned with antique furniture and Renaissance-era features, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Paid parking is available at a nearby garage.