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Four Seasons Firenze
Four Seasons Firenze
Four Seasons Firenze

12

Four Seasons Firenze

Florence

A masterclass in palatial elegance

Where am I? Florence's largest private garden provides the tranquil setting for this character-packed Four Seasons property set in a beautifully restored 15th-century Medici palace. With cool, creamy interiors that make one want to glide rather than walk, and a well-heeled clientele made up of business and leisure travellers, the hotel, which opened in 2008, offers 121 bedrooms. Of these, 85 are in the Palazzo della Gherardesca and 36 in Palazzo del Nero, a former 16th-century convent graced with its own reception and butler service. The hotel's Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Il Palagio, meanwhile, pulls guests out of the Renaissance and into the present day with a contemporary tasting menu of reimagined regional classics, such as white risotto with tomatoes and pecorino.

A lobby to remember: Studded with huge floral displays and flooded with natural light, the lobby is the beating heart of the hotel. Stories featuring mythological creatures are told in bas-relief across its walls, with gorgeous, jungle-green seating arranged to face them, and a dazzlingly vibrant small chapel entirely decorated with original 15th-century frescoes is available to book for an intimate dinner à deux.

More on amenities: During the summer season, the pool is open from 9am until sundown, while the al fresco Jacuzzi operates year-round. The 10-treatment-room spa has a steam room, fitness facilities and a programme of studio and garden-based yoga classes. From a menu of treatments that caters to all ages, the signature Tuscan Essences treatment uses encircling brushes to apply a chianti wine massage oil, leaving the skin purified and smooth.

Exploring the city: Because of its under-the-radar location on one of the avenues that circles old Florence, the hotel provides a shuttle service to and from the city centre and bikes for guests' use. Within an easy walk are renowned museums and historic sites such as the Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, Piazza Duomo and the Piazza della Signoria. Speak to one of the concierges to find out about booking one of the exclusive VIP-access-only experiences that Four Seasons does so well.

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