The best hotels in Florence

Hotel Perseo sits on Via de' Cerretani, a five-minute walk from the Duomo and steps from Santa Maria Novella train station. Rooms are compact but clean, with decent beds and functional bathrooms. The staff is genuinely helpful with directions and restaurant tips. Breakfast is simple but included in most rates. A solid no-frills choice for travelers who plan to spend their days out exploring.

This small guesthouse is directly across from the Baptistery of San Giovanni, which means you wake up to one of the most iconic views in Florence. Rooms are modest and some are on the smaller side, but the location is genuinely hard to beat at this price. The building is historic and elevator access is limited, so pack light. Front desk service is friendly and informal. If you want to be in the absolute center without spending mid-range prices, this works.

Hotel Davanzati is a family-run property on Via Porta Rossa, less than a block from Piazza della Repubblica and a short walk to the Uffizi. The staff goes out of their way with recommendations, restaurant bookings, and even museum queue tips. Rooms are well-furnished with a warm Florentine style and good soundproofing for a central location. The complimentary afternoon snack service is a nice touch after a day of sightseeing. One of the better-run mid-range hotels in the city center.

Soprarno Suites occupies a beautifully restored palazzo on Via Maggio in the Oltrarno neighborhood, the quieter and more artisan side of the Arno. The suites are individually decorated with antiques, vintage pieces, and exposed beams that feel genuinely curated rather than staged. It is a short walk across the Ponte Vecchio to the main attractions, but the neighborhood itself has excellent wine bars and workshops. There is no reception desk in the traditional sense, more of a concierge setup. A great pick for repeat Florence visitors who want something different from the tourist-heavy center.

Hotel Brunelleschi is built around a medieval Byzantine tower and a 6th-century church, making it one of the more architecturally unique hotels in Florence. It sits on Piazza Santa Elisabetta, tucked just behind Piazza del Duomo. Rooms are spacious by Florentine standards and the internal museum displaying Roman and medieval artifacts adds genuine character. The restaurant Ristoro is reliable for dinner without having to venture out. The building history alone makes it worth the rate for architecture enthusiasts.

Bernini Palace is a 15th-century palazzo on Piazza San Firenze, right between the Uffizi and Santa Croce basilica. The Hall of Representatives, a long frescoed corridor used by Italian parliament members in the 1800s, serves as the breakfast room and is genuinely impressive. Rooms are classically furnished with heavy drapes, carved wooden furniture, and marble bathrooms. The location is central but on a quieter piazza compared to the Duomo crowds. Couples looking for old-world Florentine atmosphere at a reasonable rate will find this very satisfying.

AdAstra is a small boutique hotel on Via dei Bardi in the San Niccolo quarter, a residential stretch just south of the Ponte Vecchio along the Arno. The property has only a handful of rooms, each decorated with locally sourced art and high-quality linens. Breakfast is served on the terrace overlooking the river when the weather cooperates. The neighborhood has some of the best trattorias in Florence without the tourist markup. The attentive, personal service here is the main reason guests return.

Grand Hotel Minerva faces Piazza Santa Maria Novella directly, with the rooftop pool offering one of the better panoramic views of the church facade and city skyline. Rooms are spacious enough for families and the hotel has connecting room configurations that work well for groups. The train station is a three-minute walk, making arrival and departure easy. Service is professional and efficient without being overly formal. The rooftop pool alone tends to justify the rate during summer visits.

Portrait Firenze sits on Lungarno Acciaiuoli overlooking the Arno, housed in a Ferragamo-owned palazzo steps from the Ponte Vecchio. The suites are some of the most elegantly designed in the city, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing river views and hand-selected furnishings throughout. There is no traditional hotel lobby, giving it the feel of a private residence rather than a standard luxury property. The concierge team handles everything from private museum access to custom itineraries with notable efficiency. This is the benchmark for understated luxury in Florence.

The Four Seasons Florence occupies two Renaissance palazzi, the Palazzo della Gherardesca and the Conventino, set within the largest private garden in the city center on Borgo Pinti. The 11-acre garden alone separates this property from every other luxury hotel in Florence. Rooms and suites are individually restored with original frescoes, gilded ceilings, and museum-quality antiques. The Il Palagio restaurant is one of the finest dining experiences in Tuscany, full stop. Guests who stay here rarely feel a compelling reason to leave the grounds.