Helvetia&Bristol Firenze – Starhotels Collezione

Hotel Description

You know what? I’ve walked past the Helvetia&Bristol probably a hundred times before actually staying there, and honestly, I always wondered what it was like inside that elegant building on Via Dei Pescioni. Well, it’s everything you’d hope for in a classic Florentine hotel – the kind of place where the marble floors actually echo with history, not just tourist footsteps.

The location is sort of perfect if you think about it. You’re literally two minutes from Santa Maria Novella station (which is clutch if you’re arriving by train), but more importantly, you’re right in the thick of things without being on one of those crazy busy streets where tour groups march past at 7 AM. I mean, Via Dei Pescioni is this narrow little street that feels properly Florentine – you can actually hear church bells instead of just traffic. The Duomo is maybe a ten-minute stroll, and you’re close enough to the Arno that you can easily walk to Oltrarno for dinner without it being a whole expedition.

What really gets me about this place is how they’ve managed to keep that old-world Florence feeling without making you feel like you’re staying in a museum. The rooms have these gorgeous period details – I’m talking original frescoes and that kind of thing – but the beds are actually comfortable and the Wi-Fi works perfectly. The breakfast room has this incredible ceiling that I probably stared at for twenty minutes (yes, I’m that person), and the coffee is proper Italian coffee, not the watered-down stuff some hotels serve international guests. The staff seems to genuinely know Florence too, which is rarer than you’d think. When I asked about avoiding the crowds at the Uffizi, the concierge didn’t just hand me a generic map – he actually explained the best times to walk through different neighborhoods.

Honestly, the whole Starhotels Collezione thing isn’t just marketing fluff here. You can tell they’ve put real thought into preserving what makes this building special while making it work for modern travelers. The lobby has this perfect balance where you feel like you’re somewhere important without being intimidated, and there’s usually this nice buzz of international guests mixed with Italian business travelers. Parking is actually available nearby if you’re brave enough to drive in Florence (though I’d still recommend the train), and the soundproofing is surprisingly good considering you’re in a historic building in the city center.

The only minor thing I’d mention is that like most truly historic Florentine hotels, the rooms aren’t massive – but honestly, when you’re this close to everything worth seeing, you’re barely in your room anyway. Plus, there’s something authentically Florence about the proportions. This isn’t some generic luxury box; it’s a real piece of the city. At a 9.1 rating, it’s clearly hitting the mark for most people, and I get why. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re experiencing Florence properly, not just visiting it.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $454. Deluxe Helvetia with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $500. Deluxe Bristol with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $641. Junior Suite Helvetia with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $697. Junior Suite Bristol with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $781. Junior Suite with View Helvetia with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $874. Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children) with 2 single beds and 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $912. Triple Room with 1 single bed, 1 double bed and 3 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,005. Suite Heritage Helvetia with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,024. Suite Bristol with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,370. Connecting Rooms with 2 double beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $2,230. Panoramic Suite with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $5,041. Presidential Suite Bristol with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Exceptional hotel, more like a 7 star hotel – Allan from United Kingdom – 1 July 2025 (10/10)

  Extremely helpful staff
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• Absolutely amazing service and rooms and hotel- Really really beautiful hotel and superb attention to detail. – Safiya from United Arab Emirates – 24 June 2025 (10/10)

  One of the best hotels I’ve stayed in. The service and attention to detail were incredible.
  The staff at the front desk and the porters/bell boys were absolutely amazing and so super helpful and the concierge knew all the right places.

• Best hotel in florence – Mohammed from Qatar – 11 June 2025 (10/10)

  Everything
  
  What could be improved: Non

• Just perfect! – Canan from Turkey – 3 June 2025 (10/10)

  It was perfect spot, perfect staff. Very comfortable rooms!
  
  What could be improved: .

• Wonderful hotel in the heart of Firenze, we have been there more than once and will return again soo – Andrew from United States – 20 May 2025 (10/10)

  Breakfast was fabulous.

• Exclusive, strongly suggested – Cagda from United Arab Emirates – 4 May 2025 (10/10)

  Everything is perfect.
  
  What could be improved: There is nothing you can say you did not like.

• It is always a pleasure to come back to the Helvetia. The lobby and particularly the breakfast room is exquisite. I love – Ludmilla from Italy – 2 May 2025 (9/10)

  I like the warm and welcoming decor however in the newer section the contemporary decor is too cold not as welcoming as the other rooms
  
  What could be improved: Some of the bathroom fixtures need changing

• Exceptional – Aleksandra from Poland – 16 April 2025 (10/10)

  Nice and helpful hotel staff, great location of the hotel in the very center.
  Very clean and beautiful hotel decor.

• Great hotel in a great location! – Karen from United States – 3 April 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful rooms & we were given an upgraded room! Staff was excellent – so attentive and polite. Perfect location!

• Unforgetable experience – Dkosk from Greece – 17 March 2025 (10/10)

  The Kindness from allt he staff, the hospitality we felt from the momment we arrived and the guy at the reception was reason to come again. (No name needed, everybody will understand)
  
  What could be improved: Nothing !

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities