Florence is a timeless favorite for travelers visiting Italy, offering an abundance of exceptional accommodations. Its charm often leaves visitors eager to return. For those seeking a more secluded and tranquil experience—whether first-time visitors or returning travelers—luxury properties just outside the city provide a peaceful retreat while still offering easy access to Florence’s rich history and charm. Here are our top five luxury hotels just outside of Florence.
Nestled in a rose-filled park just beyond the city center, Villa Cora embodies the grandeur of 19th-century Florence. Originally built by financier Baron Gustave Oppenheim, the villa exudes opulence with its marble statues, intricate frescoes, and luxurious fabrics in regal purple, bold red, and deep green. Each of its 44 rooms and suites boasts a distinct size, shape, and style. Guests can relax by Florence’s only outdoor heated pool open year-round or unwind in the subterranean spa, complete with a hammam and tepidarium. Dining venues shift with the seasons, offering ever-evolving culinary experiences.
With a Michelangelo-designed facade, historic frescoes, and modern street art, Villa San Michele is a masterpiece in itself. Set atop a hill amid lush gardens and a wooded park, it offers sweeping views of Florence, just a 15-minute ride away on the complimentary shuttle. Take a swim in the city’s highest pool or savor a refreshing aperitif in the picturesque panoramic gardens. Many guest rooms feature private terraces or gardens with breathtaking vistas. No visit is complete without a meal at La Loggia, one of Florence’s top dining destinations. Little ones can also enjoy engaging activities arranged by the dedicated kids’ concierge.
3. Collegio alla Querce, an Auberge Resort
Opening for reservations in March, this new Auberge property is an exceptional choice for those looking to stay just outside Florence. Offering a unique perspective on one of Italy’s most cherished cities, Collegio alla Querce welcomes guests with breathtaking views of both the Duomo di Firenze and the serene Tuscan hills. This sophisticated yet inviting retreat is perfect for design enthusiasts and food lovers alike, boasting 83 elegant rooms, an original chapel and theater, two exceptional restaurants, and a signature bar—once the principal’s office of this beloved former school.
The historic Villa La Massa, a former Medicean estate, sits along the banks of the Arno River in the scenic Tuscan countryside, with a complimentary shuttle connecting guests to Florence’s city center. Its 54 rooms and suites, spread across six villas, are elegantly furnished in classic Florentine style. The Casa Colonica, a restored farmhouse, offers four suites and a kitchen and can be rented exclusively, while the Limonaia boasts breathtaking river views. Il Verrocchio serves authentic Tuscan cuisine, while the newly opened L'Oliveto bistrot provides a more relaxed dining experience. A stylish new swimming pool and the Arno SPA complete this luxurious retreat.
Il Salviatino Firenze is a distinctive Florentine villa that underwent an exceptional restoration, revealing hidden treasures like extraordinary frescoes, a sarcophagus transformed into a luxurious bath, and an intricate network of forgotten pathways. Located just 15 minutes from Florence's city center and surrounded by the charm of Fiesole's hillside, the villa offers the perfect blend of Tuscan countryside tranquility and city access. The property is easily reachable, with Santa Maria Novella Train Station just 4 miles away and both Florence Amerigo Vespucci and Pisa Galileo Galilei airports within a short drive. Guests can enjoy the unparalleled comfort of individually decorated rooms and suites, each blending traditional Tuscan craftsmanship with modern amenities. With many suites offering sweeping views of Florence and the iconic Duomo, a stay at Il Salviatino promises an extraordinary and unique experience.
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