Medici Soderini

You know what struck me first about the Medici Soderini? It’s this gorgeous old palazzo right on the Lungarno Guicciardini, and when I say “on the lungarno,” I mean you’re literally steps from the Arno with those classic Florence river views. The entrance is on the first floor (European first floor, so up one flight), which honestly makes it feel more like you’re staying in someone’s elegant apartment than a typical hotel. There’s something wonderfully intimate about that.

The Santo Spirito neighborhood is where you want to be if you actually want to feel like you’re living in Florence rather than just visiting it. I mean, sure, you’re still close to all the tourist stuff – you can walk to the Ponte Vecchio in maybe five minutes – but you’re on the “other side” of the river where locals actually hang out. The piazza di Santo Spirito has this fantastic morning market, and there are these little trattorias tucked into side streets that you’d never find if you were staying over by the Duomo. The whole area has this lived-in feeling that’s getting harder to find in central Florence.

What really sets this place apart is the attention to detail that feels genuinely Florentine rather than generically luxurious. The rooms have these beautiful old floors – I’m talking real parquet that creaks just enough to remind you you’re in a historic building – and the furnishings strike that perfect balance between antique charm and actually being comfortable. The bathrooms are modern without being stark, which honestly is a relief because I’ve stayed in too many “historic” places where the shower was basically medieval torture. The staff knows the neighborhood inside and out, too. They’ll tell you which gelato place on Via Maggio actually makes their own (spoiler: it’s not the one with the longest line), or where to grab a proper aperitivo that won’t cost you twenty euros.

The location means you’re getting some street noise – this is Florence, not a countryside retreat – but it’s the good kind of noise, you know? Church bells, the occasional Vespa, people chatting on their way to dinner. It quiets down nicely at night, and honestly, those river views from the front rooms make any minor noise completely worth it. Parking is tricky in this area, but they’ll sort you out with options nearby if you’re driving. I’d recommend just flying into Florence and walking everywhere – you’re positioned perfectly for it. The 9.2 rating makes total sense when you experience how everything just works smoothly here, from check-in to recommendations to that little espresso they bring you in actual cups, not paper ones.