A pope, an order of nuns and five centuries of Florentine nobility make up the list of previous residents of the Four Seasons Florence. Comprised of two Renaissance palaces, it’s as much a museum as a hotel.
Tucked down a quiet street in the old town, a mere stone’s throw from the Duomo, the hotel’s is divided between a 15th-century palazzo and a former convent. Between the two lie more than 11 acres of magnificent botanical gardens, the largest private garden in Florence, perfect for escaping to with a book and relaxing in the shade of a sequoia or maple tree.
It took seven years and about £60 million ($100m) to convert the palazzo into a luxurious hotel where no two rooms are the same. Some feature ceiling frescoes, others bas-reliefs, stuccoes and silk wallpapers, all carefully restored to vivid detail. And somehow these 15th-century works of art sit comfortably alongside mod-cons such as plasma TVs and iPod speaker hubs.
The main restaurant, Il Palagio, is an impressive space with a vaulted ceiling and silver and jade flourishes in the decor. French windows open onto a terrace for alfresco dining overlooking the gardens, frequently accompanied by a pianist.
The chef, Vito Mollica, sources the finest Tuscan ingredients from small countryside producers and markets, and the tasting menu is well worth splashing out on. Order the violet bubble for dessert and you’ll want to hang it on a gold chain and wear it round your neck. Crack open the sugar-coated orb, though, and you’ll discover a heavenly mix of Chantilly cream and crème de cassis ice cream — pure food art. The restaurant stocks more than 50 top-label wines by the glass.
The hotel’s spa is worth a visit, too, even if it’s just for a pedicure. Ten treatment rooms epitomise chic simplicity with their white marble floors, muslin curtains and candles that give off the scent of white irises. The tranquil beauty of the place is a real contrast to the hubbub of Florence’s busy streets. Other facilities include an outdoor pool (unheated), a hair and beauty salon and a gym.
Four Seasons Hotel Florence, Borgo Pinti, 99, 50123 Florence, Italy. (+39 (055) 26261; fourseasons.com/florence)
