Historic Hotels in Florence, Tuscany, Umbria

Albergotto. Florence

Located on the via de’ Tounabuoni, close to the centre of one of Italy’s most beautiful and culturally historic cities, The Albergotto Hotel has benefited from a recent restoration. The 22-room hotel proves popular on independent hotel review websites, and is particularly noted for its value-for-money and excellent service.

A plaque on the facade of the hotel pays tribute to English author George Eliot who “spent in 1860 one of her earliest sojourns”. Verdi and Donizetti are also said to have stayed at the Albergotto. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Astoria. Florence

Located at the heart of the old town on the Via Del Giglio, The Boscolo Hotel Astoria Florence has been recently restored in true Italian style. The hotel is, in fact, made up of two former placaes belonging to notable Florentine families: The Palazzo Gaddi and Palazzo Arrighetti.

It was during his stay at the Palazzo Gaddi that John Milton conceived one of the greatest pieces of English literature: Paradise Lost.

The room in which he worked is today used for business meetings. Tripadvisor | LateRooms | Expedia

Villa Aurora. Fiesole

On hills overlooking Florence and the Arno valley, the Hotel Villa Aurora started life as a theatre to entertain visiting British nobility. By the end of the nineteenth century, though, it had become a magnificent villa and a retreat for numerous members of Europe’s ruling elite.

Queen Victoria and Queens Emma and Williamina of Holland are all known to have come to the Villa Aurora for rest and relaxation. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Eremo Delle Grazie. Spoleto

The origins of this extraordinary place date back as far as the fifth century B.C. when St. Isac decided upon continuing here the hermit’s life he had once followed in Syria.

Over the following centuries others came to follow in his footsteps, shunning comfort for an existence of poverty and prayer. In time the Hermitage of Santa Maria delle Grazie became home for the Congregation of the Hermit Fathers of Monteluco, with the entire mountain effectively developing into one large monastery.

It was certainly such in 1556 when Michelangelo wrote of “great pleasures in the mountains of Spoleto visiting those hermits”.

Alas, the peace and tranquillity was less evident in 1806 when Napoleon’s army temporarily occupied the building. TripAdvisor

More period and historic accommodation in Florence...

Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1. Highly-rated accommodation on the upper floors of a converted medieval tower. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Bernini Palace by Baglioni Hotels. A fifteenth century building located in the city centre of old Florence. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Best Western Hotel Rivoli. A centrally-located former 15th century monastery. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Botticelli NIHotels. Once a private residence, this sixteenth century house is situated with half a mile of the Duomo. TripAdvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Brunelleschi Hotel - A Summit Hotel. A truly unique property formed partly from a Byzantine tower and medieval church. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Grand Hotel Cavour. Four-star accommodation in a former residential palace of Florentine nobility. The building is reputed to be connected to Dante Alighieri (his birthplace is nearby). Tripadvisor | Expedia

Grand Hotel Florence. Once the home of the Giuntini family, the hotel itself has been welcoming guests since the 18th century. Standing alongside the River Arno, the Grand Hotel Firenze has been the place of choice for many of Europe’s rich and powerful, Queen Victoria among them. Expedia

Grand Hotel Minerva. Luxury 17th century palazzo located on the Piazza Maria Santa Novella. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Hotel Aprile - Palazzo dal Borgo. Originating in the 15th century, the hotel is a historic monument having been converted from the Palazzo Medici dal Borgo. Expedia

Hotel Atlantic Palace. Centrally located hotel housed in a 13th century palazzo. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Hotel Balestri. Three-star accommodation right on the banks of the River Arno. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Hotel Davanzanti. Contemporary chic meets 15th century in this extremely highly rated 21-room hotel. Expedia

Hotel David. Independent reviewers approve of this 18th century nobleman’s house (Villa Drina). It offers 25 rooms and a fine period ambience. Expedia

Hotel Degli Orafi. If one attempted to select a hotel at random in Florence you would be defying the odds if the choice was anything other than historic. And in the Hotel Degli Orafi you would prove the point: a 13th century example of Florentine architecture. Indeed, parts of it - such as the restored tower - predate that. Don’t be too surprised if you recognise the place, either - it was the setting for Merchant Ivory’s Oscar-winning film, Room With a View. Expedia

Hotel Machiavelli. A former convent dating back to c.1700. Expedia

Hotel Porta Rossa. The oldest hotel in Florence having been established in 1386. Tripadvisor

Hotel San Paolo della Croce. A former Franciscan convent just outside the city. Expedia

Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci. Dating back to the 15th century, the hotel was formerly part of the Strozzi Palace. Expedia

Hotel Unicorno. 15th century building within walking distance of many of Florence’s historic sites. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

J and J Historic House Hotel. A former 16th century convent at the heart of historic Florence. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Palazzo Magnani Feroni. 16th century building on the Borgo San Frediano. Tripadvisor | LateRooms | Expedia

Polihotels Palazzo Ricasoli Florence. 16th century building providing four-star hotel accommodation. Tripadvisor | Expedia

Residenza Del Moro. It is unsurprising that a romantic city should possess some very romantic hotels, and Residenza Del Moro, housed in a building known as the Niccolini Palace, is certainly one of them. Five star rated, this classic hotel is awash with period charm - its exterior is largely 16th century, and the internal garden has been in existence since the 1400‘s. In addition to the frescoes and fine furniture, the hotel boasts an art collection spanning the 15th to 19th centuries. Expedia

Villa Ulivi Hotel. A fifteenth century villa located in a rural position just outside the city. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Also see Period Hotels in Umbria and Period Hotels in Tuscany

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