Hotel Indigo Florence by IHG

You know what struck me first about Hotel Indigo Florence? It doesn’t try to be some stuffy, traditional Italian hotel – and honestly, that’s exactly what I loved about it. Walking up Via Jacopo da Diacceto (which, by the way, is this quiet little street that most tourists completely miss), you’d almost walk right past the entrance if you weren’t looking for it. But once you’re inside, there’s this really cool contemporary vibe that somehow still feels authentically Florentine. The lobby has these gorgeous local art pieces and this almost industrial-chic design that works way better than it sounds on paper.

The location is actually brilliant if you know Florence at all. You’re literally a three-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station – I mean, you can practically hear the trains, but it’s not annoying or anything. What’s really great is that you’re right in the thick of things without being on one of those crazy tourist-packed streets where you can’t even walk properly. Via de’ Tornabuoni, which is basically Florence’s Fifth Avenue, is maybe a five-minute stroll away, and the Duomo is close enough that you’ll probably end up walking past it multiple times just going about your day. The staff actually gave me this little insider tip about cutting through Piazza Santa Maria Novella early in the morning – it’s gorgeous when it’s empty and you avoid all the crowds heading to the main sites.

What really sets this place apart though is the attention to detail that doesn’t feel forced. The rooms have these deep jewel tones and textures that feel sophisticated but not pretentious, and the beds are honestly some of the most comfortable I’ve slept in (and I’m pretty picky about that stuff). The bathrooms are surprisingly spacious for a European hotel, with rainfall showers that actually have decent water pressure. I stayed during peak season in July, and while the area gets busy during the day, the hotel itself maintains this calm, almost zen-like atmosphere. The rooftop terrace – and this is where they really got it right – has these incredible views over the city’s terracotta rooftops, and it’s the perfect spot for an evening drink after a day of museum-hopping. The cocktails aren’t cheap, but they’re well-made and you’re paying for that view anyway. Check-in was smooth, parking is available in a garage about two blocks away (which is actually pretty convenient for the center of Florence), and the concierge team genuinely knows their stuff about local restaurants and lesser-known spots. With an 8.7 rating, it’s clearly doing something right, and after staying there, I totally get why people keep coming back.