Four Seasons - Florence
- Nick, Editor
- Jul 28
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
A Masterpiece of Timeless Luxury: Four Seasons Florence, Italy
Article summary
In this article, you will get our unbiased, independent review and thoughts on the Four Seasons Hotel Florence, Italy
First impressions
The look
Rooms & suites
Editors notes
Spa & amenities
Food & drink
Service & vibe
Location
Price
Verdict
Itinerary ideas
Pros & Cons
Tours & activities
In a world where opulence is often synonymous with the modern and the sleek, the Four Seasons Hotel Florence stands as a resplendent testament to the enduring allure of old-world grandeur. Nestled in the heart of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, this exceptional property is far more than a luxury hotel. It is an immersive experience of art, history, and impeccable service, woven seamlessly into one of Europe’s most iconic cities.
From the moment you step through its stately gates, the Four Seasons Firenze feels less like a hotel and more like a living museum. Located just a short stroll from the city centre yet tucked away in a peaceful enclave, the hotel occupies two Renaissance-era buildings: the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the former 16th-century La Villa, once a convent. The result is a sanctuary that combines palatial grandeur with intimate tranquillity.
An Architectural and Artistic Treasure:
What sets the Four Seasons Florence apart is not simply its five-star accommodations or its stellar reputation; it is the property’s deeply rooted connection to Florentine history and culture. The Palazzo della Gherardesca, once home to noble families, artists, and monks, has been meticulously restored. The preservation of original frescoes, stucco work, coffered ceilings, and pietra serena columns makes each corridor feel like an art gallery.
The lobby and public spaces evoke awe without ostentation. Sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating centuries-old frescoes painted by Renaissance masters. Hand-carved woodwork and antique furnishings are paired with contemporary flourishes, silken drapes, sleek lighting, and understated modern art. The fusion is neither jarring nor contrived; rather, it underscores the hotel’s unique ability to honour the past while embracing the present. Check availability and start planning your stay here
The Garden: A Green Oasis in the City
Perhaps the Four Seasons’ most unexpected marvel is its private botanical park, the largest in Florence. Covering more than 11 acres, the Giardino della Gherardesca is an oasis of verdant splendour. Ancient trees, manicured hedges, and bubbling fountains invite strolls, meditative moments, or romantic interludes.
Unlike the more formal Boboli Gardens, the hotel’s grounds offer a rare sense of seclusion and peace in a city that buzzes with tourists and traffic. Guests can enjoy an alfresco breakfast under a magnolia tree, sip Prosecco beside a 15th-century statue, or read quietly to the soundtrack of birdsong and rustling leaves.
This garden isn’t just an amenity, it’s a philosophy. It reinforces the Four Seasons’ ethos of mindful luxury, where wellness, beauty, and nature converge in quiet harmony.
Rooms Fit for Medici Royalty:
With just 116 rooms and suites, the hotel ensures an intimate, highly personalised experience. Each room is uniquely designed, with details that speak to Florence’s golden age. Expect rich fabrics, soaring ceilings, hand-painted panels, and intricate mosaic-tiled bathrooms.
But make no mistake, these rooms are as high-tech as they are historical. State-of-the-art climate control, entertainment systems, and discreet lighting combine effortlessly with the old-world charm. Many rooms overlook the hotel’s gardens or offer glimpses of Florence’s iconic skyline, including the Duomo’s magnificent dome.
The true showpieces, however, are the suites. The Royal Suite, located in the former noble quarters of the Palazzo, is quite literally fit for royalty. Frescoes by 18th-century artist Ignazio Moder make the ceiling a visual feast, while antique furniture and a grand marble fireplace bring the past palpably to life.
Culinary Excellence That Honours Tuscan Traditions
Italy is a land of culinary devotion, and the Four Seasons Florence elevates this national passion into high art. Its flagship restaurant, Il Palagio, is a Michelin-starred temple of Tuscan gastronomy, helmed by Executive Chef Paolo Lavezzini. Housed in a former noble dining hall, the restaurant blends local ingredients with contemporary techniques to stunning effect.
Whether you indulge in a tasting menu of handmade pasta, truffle-infused delicacies, or the region’s famed Chianina beef, every dish sings with authenticity and flair. The wine cellar, boasting over 400 labels, pays homage to Italy’s viticultural heritage while also highlighting lesser-known regional producers.
For more casual fare, Al Fresco offers relaxed dining in the garden, with wood-fired pizzas and light Mediterranean fare. And for aperitifs or post-dinner nightcaps, Atrium Bar is the place to be, serving inventive cocktails under a glass dome as a pianist plays nearby.
A Sanctuary for Wellness
Beyond aesthetics and indulgence, the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze also understands the modern traveller’s craving for wellness and rejuvenation. Its luxurious spa, housed in what was once a 16th-century lemon house, is a haven of serenity.
Treatments incorporate local ingredients, like olive oil, lavender, and honey, infused into age-old healing traditions and modern techniques. The spa features steam rooms, vitality pools, and private treatment suites. The outdoor pool, fringed by cypress trees and secluded cabanas, offers an idyllic escape during warmer months.
The hotel also provides yoga in the gardens, personal training, and access to a well-equipped gym, ensuring guests maintain balance in both body and spirit. For more information and to book a stay, click here.
Impeccable Service, Florentine Soul
At the core of the Four Seasons experience is its service: discreet yet warm, polished yet personal. Staff here are not just employees, they are ambassadors of Florentine culture. Concierge teams arrange private museum tours, cooking classes, Vespa rides through Chianti, or even artisan-led walks through the city’s famed leather shops and goldsmith studios.
Every guest is treated as if they are a returning friend, not merely a customer. From remembering your preferred morning espresso to organising a candlelit dinner in the garden, the team’s attention to detail turns hospitality into high art.
The Essence of Florence, Captured
In a city filled with architectural wonders, culinary triumphs, and artistic masterpieces, it takes a truly exceptional hotel to stand out. The Four Seasons Florence does more than that; it becomes a central part of the city’s narrative.
It is not simply a place to stay; it is a destination in itself, a microcosm of everything that makes Florence extraordinary. Here, history is not observed from a distance but lived. Beauty is not confined to museums, but found in your suite, your meal, and your morning walk in the garden.
For travellers seeking the pinnacle of luxury, wrapped in cultural richness and timeless elegance, there is no finer choice. The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is not just a hotel; it is Florence, distilled to its most opulent, poetic essence.
Quick Facts & Highlights -
Location: Borgo Pinti 99, Florence, Italy – just minutes from the city centre yet secluded within an 11-acre private park.
Hotel Rating: Official 5-star luxury property.
Hotel Vibe: Opulent, historic, romantic, and serene – a Renaissance palace infused with modern comforts.
Food & Drink:
Il Palagio – Michelin-starred fine dining with Tuscan flavours.
Al Fresco – Garden-side casual Mediterranean and wood-fired pizza.
Atrium Bar – Signature cocktails, live piano, and a glass-domed setting.
Hotel Amenities:
11-acre private botanical park (Giardino della Gherardesca)
Outdoor pool with cabanas
Full-service luxury spa
Fitness centre and yoga in the gardens
Concierge for bespoke city experiences
Number of Rooms: 116 rooms and suites, each individually decorated.
Pricing: Rates typically range from €1,200 to €5,500 per night, depending on season and suite category.
Nearby Recommendations & Attractions:
Piazza del Duomo – Admire Brunelleschi’s dome and Giotto’s campanile.
Uffizi Gallery – Home to Botticelli, Michelangelo, and da Vinci masterpieces.
Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s most famous bridge, lined with jewellery shops.
Accademia Gallery – View Michelangelo’s David in person.
Santa Croce Basilica – Resting place of Galileo and Michelangelo.
Artisan shopping in the Oltrarno district.
All hotels & resorts on The Five Star Edit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive a small commission from advertisers when using our affiliate links.
Four Seasons Florence (Italy) Review 2025
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