Florence · Borgo Pinti, Santa Croce
Two Renaissance palazzos, a courtyard for a lobby, and 4.45 hectares of private garden, a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.
You arrive on Borgo Pinti, and the lobby is a 15th-century courtyard. Bartolomeo Scala built the palazzo around it in 1473; the Medici lived here after him, and then the della Gherardesca family. Look up as you come in. Above the arches, 12 marble reliefs retell stories from Scala's own poems, and below them green velvet sofas stand among stone urns. Beyond the courtyard is the garden, planted in the 15th century and hidden from the city for centuries: statues, fountains, centuries-old trees and a small Ionic temple. The temple stands at the end of a gravel path through the lawns, with a statue inside it.
There are 121 rooms and suites across the 2 palazzos, and Pierre-Yves Rochon dressed them in deep red, gold and green. In the oldest rooms here, the history is on the ceiling. In the Royal Suite, 17th-century frescoes cover the gallery, and the floor below is painted Neapolitan majolica by Ignazio Chiaiese. In the Presidential Suite at Palazzo del Nero, you sleep under Hospitality, Courtesy and Decorum, painted on a 19th-century coffered ceiling. At dusk, the upstairs window of the Duomo View Executive Suite looks straight onto the dome and the rooftops.
Rooms are made up twice a day, with a turndown in the evening, and water, fruit and juice are complimentary. A coffee and tea service runs from 5 to 8 in the morning for early starts. The concierge team speaks several languages and plans the city with you: a private tour of the Uffizi without the crowds, a boat on the Arno, a day among the Tuscan vineyards, or a hot-air balloon over the countryside. Palazzo del Nero has a guest experience team of its own.
The Garden. The Giardino della Gherardesca is one of the largest private gardens in Florence, with about 100 kinds of tree and 25,000 plants. Gravel paths run between lawns edged in low box, past a fountain and a carved stone arch with a statue standing in it. Ask the kitchen to pack you a picnic for the grass. In winter, take a book out to one of the benches.
The Pool and Circolo al Fresco. The pool opens in the warmer months, from 9 in the morning to 8 at night, and the hot tub keeps the same hours all year, warm even in winter. Cabanas can be reserved, and there are fruit skewers and crushed-ice drinks by the water. In summer the pool area becomes Circolo al Fresco, modelled on the old Italian social clubs: minigolf, bocce, chess, backgammon, dominoes and table football, set out in the shade.
The Spa. The spa covers 790 square metres of the garden and looks over the pool. It has 10 treatment rooms, a sauna and a steam bath, and its treatments use Tuscan herbs, salt crystals and local plants, with most of the products made nearby. Couples can reserve the Spa Suite, with 2 treatment beds, a walk-in shower and a freestanding stone bathtub. Yoga classes are held on the lawn or in the studio. The spa is open from 9 in the morning to 8 at night, the salon from 10 to 7, Monday to Saturday, and the gym, sauna and steam bath from 7 in the morning to 10 at night.
The Chapel. A few steps from the courtyard lobby is the chapel, built by the Archbishop of Florence in 1475. Its hand-painted frescoes and original mother-of-pearl ornaments are still in place. It can also be set for a private dinner, with candles, flowers and a tasting menu from Il Palagio's kitchen.
Children, and Pio Seasons. Pio Seasons, the kids' club, runs in summer until 31 August, with water games and minigolf; in winter the concierge arranges activities and a babysitter instead. Children find their own small bathrobes, slippers and toiletries in the room, every restaurant has a children's menu, and the kitchen makes gelato every day. There are scavenger hunts in the garden, cooking classes, a playground, and spa treatments for children made with chocolate and fruit.
Palazzo della Gherardesca is the older building, from 1473, and it holds the courtyard lobby, Il Palagio, the Atrium Bar, the spa and most of the historic suites. Palazzo del Nero is from the 16th century and has 36 rooms.
It was a family house and then a convent, and it holds Onde, Bar Berni and the Presidential Suite at Palazzo del Nero, with the Garden Suite in a building of its own nearby. The guest rooms and several of the suites are in either palazzo.
Royal Suite (della Gherardesca) is 234 square metres on the main floor, with a frescoed gallery, a floor of painted tiles and a dining space for 8.
Presidential Suite de' Medici is 205, on the third floor, full of daylight, with a balcony or terrace over the garden.
Presidential Suite at Palazzo del Nero is 121, with a painted 19th-century ceiling over the bed and 2 marble bathrooms.
Frescoed Executive Suite is 90 square metres, its bedroom painted with caryatids and garlands.
Renaissance Suite runs 77 to 91, one large room under a painted ceiling, with a tub at the centre of the bathroom.
Gallery Suite runs 58 to 62, one open room with 19th-century leather, silk or a coffered ceiling, depending on the suite.
In the oldest rooms here, the history is on the ceiling.
Borgo Pinti 99
Firenze, Toscana 50121
Italy
A child is 10 or under.
Offered in most rooms and suites; the concierge will confirm the charge.
Rates are quoted for your dates.
Getting Around. The Duomo and the Accademia are a 15-minute walk away, and the Uffizi and the Piazza della Signoria are an easy walk too. There are bicycles for guests. Florence airport is 15 kilometres away, about 20 minutes by car, and Pisa's Galileo Galilei is 80 kilometres, about an hour. The concierge arranges airport cars and car hire, Ferraris included, for a drive into Tuscany.
In-Room Dining. Breakfast comes to the room from 6 in the morning until half past 11, and the Tuscan one is pecorino, schiacciata bread and Cinta Senese cold cuts. All-day dining runs from half past 11 until 11 at night, and an overnight menu covers the hours until 6 in the morning. After a long day in the city, the kitchen will send up handmade pasta and a bottle from the cellar.
Duomo View Executive Suite is 97, on 2 floors, with the Duomo in the upstairs window.
Garden Suite is 83, in the old limonaia, with a private garden and a plunge pool in season.
Deluxe Executive Suite is 105 square metres, the one for a family, with a separate living room and a powder room for guests.
Garden-View Executive Suite runs 53 to 84, with a separate bedroom and a large desk, over the hotel garden.
Parlour Suite runs 53 to 78, bright and high-ceilinged, with a separate wardrobe.
Studio Suite runs 52 to 74, one high-ceilinged room with a king bed facing the garden or twin beds facing the houses next door.
Four Seasons Room runs 40 to 59 square metres, with a sitting area; the king bed faces the garden and the twin beds face the streets.
Premier Room runs 31 to 51; the king faces the garden and takes 2, and the twins face the next building and take 3.
Deluxe Room runs 38 to 59, with a sitting area, over the streets or an inner courtyard.
Superior Room runs 32 to 45, with a king bed only, over Borgo Pinti, Gino Capponi or a courtyard.
Two-Bedroom Suite is 110 square metres, 2 rooms behind one front door, for up to 5 adults.
Historical Three-Bedroom Suite is 207, with original frescoes in each room, for up to 7.
Presidential Three-Bedroom Suite is 226, in Palazzo del Nero, with a balcony over the garden, for up to 5.
Presidential Two-Bedroom Suite is 282, the Presidential Suite de' Medici with a second bedroom, for up to 5.
Royal Three-Bedroom Suite is 372, along a high frescoed corridor, for up to 8 adults.
Suite
234 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden
Royal Suite (della Gherardesca) is 234 square metres on the palazzo's main floor, with a windowed gallery under 17th-century frescoes.
Suite
205 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden
Presidential Suite de' Medici is 205 square metres on the third floor, full of daylight, with its own balcony or terrace over the garden.
Suite
121 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden
Presidential Suite at Palazzo del Nero is 121 square metres, with frescoed living rooms, a painted ceiling over the bed and 2 marble bathrooms.
Suite
83 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden
Garden Suite is 83 square metres in the old limonaia of Palazzo del Nero, with a private garden and a plunge pool in season.
Suite
90 m² · Sleeps 2 + 2 children
Neighbouring gardens and residences
Frescoed Executive Suite is 90 square metres of painted rooms, with a view over the neighbouring gardens.
Suite
97 m² · Sleeps 3 + 2 children
The Duomo and Florence's rooftops
Duomo View Executive Suite is 97 square metres on 2 floors, with the Duomo in the window of the upstairs living room.
Suite
77 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden, or neighbouring gardens and residences
Renaissance Suite runs 77 to 91 square metres, one large painted room with its sitting area inside it, and a tub at the centre of the bathroom.
Suite
58 m² · Sleeps 3
Neighbouring gardens and residences
Gallery Suite runs 58 to 62 square metres, one open room with original panelled ceilings and 19th-century wall coverings.
Suite
105 m² · Sleeps 3 + 2 children
Neighbouring gardens and residences
Deluxe Executive Suite is 105 square metres on the third floor, with a separate living room and a powder room for guests.
Suite
53 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden
Garden-View Executive Suite runs 53 to 84 square metres, a quiet bedroom and a separate living room with a large desk, over the hotel garden.
Suite
53 m² · Sleeps 3
The Florentine landscape, surrounding residences and streets, or an internal courtyard
Parlour Suite runs 53 to 78 square metres, bright and high-ceilinged, with a separate wardrobe.
Suite
52 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden, or the neighbouring residences
Studio Suite runs 52 to 74 square metres under high ceilings, with a king bed facing the garden or twin beds facing the houses next door.
Room
40 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden, or the surrounding residences, streets and courtyard
Four Seasons Room runs 40 to 59 square metres, bright and open, with a sitting area and a king bed over the garden or twin beds over the streets.
Room
31 m² · Sleeps 3
The hotel garden, or the neighbouring residence building
Premier Room runs 31 to 51 square metres, very bright, with a king bed over the garden for 2 or twin beds over the next building for 3.
Room
38 m² · Sleeps 3
Surrounding residences and streets, or an internal courtyard
Deluxe Room runs 38 to 59 square metres, with a sitting area and a view over the streets or an inner courtyard.
Room
32 m² · Sleeps 2
Surrounding residences and streets, or an internal courtyard
Superior Room runs 32 to 45 square metres, a king room over Borgo Pinti, Gino Capponi or an inner courtyard.
Suite
110 m² · Sleeps 5
The hotel park, or neighbouring gardens and residences
Two-Bedroom Suite is 110 square metres, 2 high-ceilinged rooms behind one front door, with 2 marble bathrooms.
Suite
207 m² · Sleeps 7
Neighbouring gardens and residences
Historical Three-Bedroom Suite is 207 square metres across 3 bedrooms, each with original frescoes.
Suite
282 m² · Sleeps 5
The hotel park
Presidential Two-Bedroom Suite is 282 square metres: the Presidential Suite de' Medici with a second bedroom, over the garden.
Suite
226 m² · Sleeps 5
The hotel park
Presidential Three-Bedroom Suite is 226 square metres in Palazzo del Nero, with original frescoes, a coffered ceiling and a balcony over the garden.
Suite
372 m² · Sleeps 8
The hotel park
Royal Three-Bedroom Suite is 372 square metres, the largest set of rooms in the house, with a high, frescoed corridor.
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