6) Four Seasons Firenze – Florence
Nestled within Florence’s largest private garden, this Four Seasons property occupies a meticulously restored 15th-century Medici palace, exuding character and charm. The hotel, inaugurated in 2008, boasts 116 elegantly appointed bedrooms, with 79 located in the Palazzo della Gherardesca and 37 in the Villa—a former 16th-century convent featuring its own reception and butler service. The interiors, adorned with cool, creamy hues, invite guests to glide through rather than walk, attracting a discerning clientele of both business and leisure travelers.
The Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Il Palagio, transports guests from the Renaissance to the contemporary era with its reimagined regional classics and a meticulously curated wine cellar.
Let’s delve into the lobby, which serves as the pulsating heart of the hotel. Bathed in natural light and adorned with enormous floral displays, the lobby narrates stories of mythological creatures through bas-relief art on its walls. Jungle-green seating is strategically arranged to face these artistic narratives, and an intimate dinner à deux can be booked in the dazzlingly vibrant small chapel adorned with original 15th-century frescoes.
As for recreational amenities, a refreshing pool, open from 9 am till sundown during the summer season, complements the year-round al fresco Jacuzzi. The 10-treatment-room spa provides a haven with a steam room, fitness facilities, and a diverse program of studio- and garden-based yoga classes. The spa menu caters to all ages, featuring the signature Bioliv’ Experience—an exfoliating and revitalizing body treatment harnessing the antioxidant and skin-nourishing properties of extra virgin olive oil and purifying active ingredients found in ground olive stones.
