Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy

You know what struck me first about the Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy? It’s right there on Piazza della Repubblica, which honestly can feel a bit touristy during the day with all the street performers and cafes, but there’s something magical about staying in that spot. I mean, you’re literally in the heart of Florence – Via del Corso stretches right out from the piazza, and you can walk to the Duomo in maybe five minutes without even trying.

The thing about this place is that it feels both grand and approachable at the same time. The lobby has this warm, lived-in elegance that doesn’t make you feel like you need to whisper, and the staff actually remembers your name after the first day (which, let’s be honest, doesn’t happen everywhere). The rooms are what you’d expect from a five-star spot – marble bathrooms, those crisp white linens that somehow stay perfect all day – but it’s the little touches that get you. The windows are properly soundproofed, which is crucial because that piazza can get lively, especially during aperitivo hour when the locals start mixing with the tourists at Bar Savoy downstairs.

Speaking of Bar Savoy, it’s become sort of a scene in its own right. You’ll see well-dressed Florentines stopping by for their morning espresso alongside hotel guests, and the evening crowd is this interesting mix of sophisticated locals and travelers who’ve figured out this isn’t just a hotel bar. The bartenders know their stuff – I watched one guy make a Negroni that was honestly better than what I’ve had at some of the famous spots in Oltrarno. The restaurant upstairs, Irene, is where things get really interesting. Chef Fulvio Pierangelini has created this menu that feels both refined and rooted in Tuscan tradition, and the terrace overlooking the piazza is probably one of the best people-watching spots in the city.

What I really appreciate is how they’ve managed to stay connected to Florence itself rather than becoming this isolated luxury bubble. The concierge team – and I mean this – actually knows the city. They sent me to this tiny ceramics workshop near Santo Spirito that I never would have found on my own, and when I mentioned wanting to avoid the Uffizi crowds, they suggested the perfect timing and alternative route through the Vasari Corridor area. The location means you’re walking distance from everything that matters – the Ponte Vecchio, the leather market at San Lorenzo, even that amazing little gelateria on Via dei Tavolini that locals queue up for – but you’re also positioned perfectly for those early morning walks through the city before the tour groups arrive. It’s expensive, sure, but it’s one of those places where you understand exactly what you’re paying for.