There are few hotels which marry old-world elegance with contemporary flair as effortlessly as Hotel Savoy. A home in the heart of Florence, everything about this iconic institution proves winsome during our recent five-night stay.
Let’s start with its unbeatable location in the very central Piazza della Republica, a sashay away from the Duomo, with the Ponte Vecchio just a short walk to the south. Moreover, many of the city’s celebrated gallerias and palazzos are within pottering distance, as are the lustworthy boutiques of famed Florentine fashion houses!Â
Speaking of which, Laudomia Pucci – daughter of the inimitable designer Emilio Pucci – has played a pivotal role in the hotel’s recent refresh. The stylish results manifest in Pucci’s inimitably-exuberant pops of colour and patterns, canvassed against pale marble and stark white spaces. A hand-tufted rug enriched with Pucci’s vintage Lamborghini print is a stand-out feature, as are the bespoke Pucci scarves encased within the glass table tops of the restaurant terrace!
Helmed by Olga Polizzi (director of Design of the Rocco Forte collection of hotels, and sister of Sir Rocco Forte), the recent renovation has seen a reduction in the number of rooms from 102 to 80, affording a more capacious feel for guests.
More noticeably, each room is imbued with an indelibly-Italian feel, fettered with a soothing mix of fabrics and custom-made furniture commissioned from local artisans. As a hotelier by background, my husband, RRM, is particularly quick to appreciate touches redolent of understated luxury – from the richly textured robes hanging in the marbled bathroom, through to the fact that the gorgeous cabinet is stocked with (the more expensive) Illy espresso pods!
Needless to say – we make ourselves right at home in our panoramic Grand View Suite (one of four in the hotel), which comes with its own dining area and sitting room. In fact, over the course of our stay, we find ourselves compelled to spend as much time as possible ensconced within our charming abode – whether flicking through the carefully-curated selection of coffee table books or simply perched by the windowsill, regaled by the soulful sounds of the rotating parade of street musicians below!
Of course, when it’s time to head out and explore, there’s a row of bicycles neatly lined up outside and no better guide than Rugiero and his amiable concierge team, who ably steer us through our bucket list whilst letting us in on the city’s hidden gems (but that’s a story for another day!).
If location, service, character, and luxury are all prerequisites for the perfect hotel, then Hotel Savoy delivers in charming spades. Did I forget to mention that they serve Venchi’s intensely-decadently hot chocolate at breakfast? If that doesn’t seal it, I’m not sure what will!
Hotel Savoy, Piazza della Repubblica, 7, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy | +39 055 27351 | https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-savoy/
If you fancy a read, browse more from my Florence Diaries, here.