Palazzo Alfieri Residenza d'Epoca

With its modern decor and preserved period features, Palazzo Alfieri Residenza d’Epoca -- an upscale option right on the River Arno -- is a tasteful blend of worlds old and new. Tall windows and frescoed ceilings -- authentic remnants of the building’s Renaissance heritage -- add elegance and historical ambience. The de-centralized layout may feel a bit disjointed, as rooms are on different floors from the self-contained reception area, but there are plenty of common spaces (especially when compared to other Florence hotels). Panoramic cityscapes and a view to the Duomo from the cozy rooftop terrace are special perks, and despite being in the center of town, the hotel retains the serene atmosphere of its picturesque riverside location. An annex with additional rooms is located around the corner, decorated in a modern style and striking dark shades. Although some may find the separation from the main building inconvenient, it’s in a prime location right on prestigious Tornabuoni Street, across from Ferragamo’s flagship store -- a haven for high-end shoppers. The hotel attracts mostly couples from the U.S., Western Europe, and Brazil, along with Italians in low season. 

Palazzo Alfieri Residenza d’Epoca is located in a more upscale part of Florence’s historical center, on a relatively quiet street running along the bank of the Arno River. High-end shopping on popular Via dei Tournabuoni is roughly one minutes’ walk around the corner (unless you're in the annex, which is on Tournabuoni), with the picturesque bridge Ponte Santa Trinita along the way. The Uffizi Gallery and historic Ponte Vecchio are a mere six-minute walk, while the Duomo is 10 minutes away on foot. The main train station and Accademia Gallery are a bit farther away, but still within walking distance -- roughly 15 minutes. Florence’s airport is a 20-minute drive.

In keeping with the rest of the hotel, rooms in the main building have a sophisticated style blended with original period features such as tall windows and sculpted ceilings. Some have gorgeous frescos, and all come with minibars, slippers, tea/coffee facilities, individually controlled AC and heating, and free Wi-Fi and safe access. Higher-category rooms feature picturesque river views, while jetted tubs and bathrobes are provided in suites. Bathrooms are tasteful and modern, with handsome stone and wood in gray shades. Although noise from the street is minimal due to city-regulated limited traffic, soundproofing in rooms is very effective, cutting out nearly all of it. Rooms in the annex are located around the corner on prestigious Tornabuoni Street, and have modern decor. Though there are no views, all face inner courtyards, resulting in ample peace and quiet. Annex rooms have a more polished feel, and feature modern bathrooms in distinguished gray tones with chromotherapy rainfall showers. 

While most of Florence’s hotels are compact, and thus have a limited number of facilities, Palazzo Alfieri offers a good range of extras. The trendy wine bar and cafe -- itself a sharp exercise in classic-meets-modern style -- is a great place for evening drinks, with peaceful terraced seating on the banks of the Arno River. The cafe also serves an international menu and decent breakfast buffet, which includes hot options such as scrambled eggs and bacon (omelettes and french toast cost extra). The rooftop terrace is cozy and has minimal seating, but the panoramic views over the city to the Duomo are quite lovely. Private parking is a rarity in Florence, but the hotel has a few prime spaces available for a reasonable fee, which includes valet service. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the public areas.