This chic, high-end luxury hotel occupies prime real estate in central Florence, perfectly positioned for city-exploring. But there’s no grand, bells-and-whistles main entrance here, just a discreet, river-facing front door, a few paces from the Ponte Vecchio. Step through it to discover exactly what you would hope from a hotel owned by the Ferragamo fashion family: a sleek, artfully designed yet ultra-relaxing space, with privacy and exclusivity at its heart. In the brooding, low-lit lounge, there are old black and white photos of Italian designers and 60s movie stars adorning the walls. It's a nod to the dolce vita appeal of that classic era.
Choose from 37 roomy suites of varying sizes, many with glorious views of the river Arno. Just like its sister hotel, Portrait Roma, all are beautifully styled. Everything is custom made and of the highest quality - think polished wood floors, huge windows, marble bathrooms, golden frames and super trendy, mid-century furniture. It feels sumptuous and pampering. Fashionista couples love it here, of course. But – design-loving parents rejoice! – with large suites and cleverly concealed kitchenettes in every suite, it works for families too.
But it's the view that steals the show. As I lay in bed, sipping Prosecco and gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the twinkling lights of the Ponte Vecchio, I felt utterly spoiled. For someone looking to explore Florence’s best bits, you'd be hard pushed to find somewhere better placed.
Highs
- The location: right beside the Ponte Vecchio, with stunning river views
- The decor in every space is positively divine: understated and elegant, with designer pieces and high-quality furniture
- The hotel staff - everyone from the lifestyle team to the receptionists is exceptional
- Excellent food at the restaurant, and a lovely riverfront terrace that's ideal for drinks and people-watching
- Parents can enjoy a super-chic hotel that also caters for kids (there are 1- and 2-bed Family Suites) – a rare find!
Lows
- This level of luxury doesn’t come cheap, but the food is pretty good value
- The Portrait Studios don't come with a view; upgrade to a river-view room if you can, it's well worth the extra expense
- There’s no pool, roof terrace or spa, but in-room treatments are available
- Our dinner here was delicious, but we felt the restaurant lacked the atmosphere and character of more established restaurants nearby (the hotel also has sister restaurants if you fancy a different vibe)
Best time to go
Florence is a year-round destination. That said, it can get very hot and busy during July and August. This is when some businesses close their doors and escape to the Tuscan countryside. From November to March, queues are shorter and the weather is much better for exploring.
Watch out for Fashion Show dates. They generally happen in January and June, during which time flight and accommodation costs rocket.
Watch out for Fashion Show dates. They generally happen in January and June, during which time flight and accommodation costs rocket.
Our top tips
There is so much to see! When planning a visit to the more popular attractions, we highly recommend booking ahead where possible, even if it means paying a little extra. The hotel concierge can prebook attractions and tours for you. You'll be glad you did.