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.
- Boutique Hotel
- 37 rooms and suites
- Restaurant (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Laundry service
Rooms
The 37 individually designed, spacious suites are spread over six floors. There are ten variations that range from a studio for 2 right up to a blinging 5-bedroom penthouse suite for 10 occupying the whole of the top floor – which comprises the Ponte Vecchio Suite, a Family Suite, a Superior Suite and the Timeless Suite.
We stayed in a Studio Deluxe River View, which had floor-to-ceiling windows with epic views over the Ponte Vecchio. A small, discreet kitchenette (more for show than practicality – but good for a drink!) was hidden behind a door, which lead to the lounge area where sofas face the view and there's a huge flatscreen (you won’t be watching it, not with these views).
Whichever room you choose, expect gorgeous mid-century, boutique-style vibes with soothing dove greys, cashmere, marble, tobacco-coloured rugs and polished wood floors. There are desks, walk-in closets in the larger suites, and classy archive black & white photographs of golden-era movie stars holidaying in Florence. Note that not all rooms have river views; we'd advise against the Portrait Studios, as they have rather uninspiring views of a wall.
Bathrooms come with bathtubs and are well stocked with luxury Ferragamo toiletries (naturally). Most have twin sinks and walk-in showers too. And everyone gets a kingsize bed (for twin beds, just ask), a discreet kitchenette (some with an induction hob) plus added luxury extras: an in-room iPad, Bluetooth sound system, Nespresso machine.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
When not using your in-room kitchenette, Caffe Dell’Oro, the hotel restaurant, is a surprisingly informal affair. The dining space is low-lit and romantic, but not stuffy, and with glorious picture windows. We enjoyed a selection of small plates from their Asian-inspired tapas menu, plus a few dishes from the more traditional Italian menu. It was a feast of soft shell crab, ginger salad, pork belly bao, Angus beef sashimi, stuffed Pappardelle, crusted turbot, and a sesame & soy meringue. All delicious.
Outside, there's a riverfront terrace with a handful of dining tables. Sit out here if you can; the view of the Ponte Vecchio is fabulous and the people-watching game is strong. But come early - it's a popular spot for sunset aperitivos.
Breakfast can either be taken in the restaurant or delivered to your room. Beverages include freshly squeezed and organic pressed juice combos, such as green apple, lemon and ginger, as well as hot chocolate, ginseng, a selection of teas and coffees. Eggs are cooked to order, whether as omelette, scrambled or with a hollandaise sauce; our preference would be the signature Portrait poached eggs with smoked salmon, avocado and seeds. Other hot dishes (porridge, pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, mushrooms) or fruit salad, cold cuts, cheese, cereals and croissants are also available.
Beyond the hotel, for delicious Italian fare, try Osteria di Pavone (5 mins). We hear the truffle pasta and tiramisu is superb, as is the view of Chiesa di San Jacopo Soprarno. Then wash it all down with a Negroni on the roof terrace of Divina Terrazza at Grand Hotel Cavour (8 mins), and watch the Duomo as the sun sets. Bellissimo.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Toaster
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- A 10-minute stroll will take you to architectural gems like The Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo (arrive early and climb to the top for the best views of the city)
- Equally close is the Uffizi Gallery (10 mins) where you can marvel at the work of greats, such as da Vinci, Lippo, and Botticelli. Remember to book ahead
- Impressive Palazzo Pitti (10 mins), on the south bank of the Arno River, is a culture vulture’s playground, with multiple museums to explore
- No stay at a Ferragamo hotel is complete without a visit to the Ferragamo Museum (3 mins), where more than 10,000 shoes from the 1920s and beyond are available for ogling; all hotel guests get free admission
- Shop! Head to Via Tornabuoni (5 mins) for high-end, designer threads, or to Borgo San Frediano and Via Santo Spirito (5-12 mins) for cool, independent boutiques
- Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, mooch around the jewellery shops, take in the views of the river
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
For such a deliciously splashy hotel, families are surprisingly well catered for. Take the in-room kitchenettes, a godsend for parents of little people. There are some nice touches for the kids too: a gift for them to unwrap upon arrival as well as mini slippers and robes. And we love the VIK (Very Important Kids) club: think treasure hunts, cookery classes and even clubbing excursions for the older ones.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
All rooms come with chic interiors, a handy kitchenette and sleek bathrooms stocked with gorgeous organic baby toiletries. There are dedicated Family Suites and 2-Bedroom Family Suites (formed of interconnecting suites, to sleep 4-7 in total). Note that not all Family Suites have river views - check when booking. If travelling with a tot under 3, baby cots are available and free of charge.
Distances:
- Airport: 25 minutes
- Hospital: 12 minutes
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Portrait Firenze is in a prime spot, right in the heart of Florence’s historic centre, overlooking the River Arno and the Ponte Vecchio.
By Air:
Florence Peretola Airport is closest (20 mins). Pisa Airport has more flight options (70 mins). Taxis are available at both airports, as are buses and train services into Florence.
By Train
Regular trains from Rome, Milan and other Italian cities serve nearby Santa Marina Novella station (1.2km from the hotel).
By Car
Florence is easily explored on foot, but if you need a car before/after your stay, see our recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola 8.0 km FLR
- Aeroporto di Pisa 82.0 km PSA
Other:
- Beach 89.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km