The best hotel is one that provides an escape: a time-out from everyday tasks that allows you to just be. Sure, the decor, food and location are all significant when looking for a place to stay, but nothing will make you feel more relaxed than a gorgeous garden. The hidden gardens of Florence’s hotels are arguably one of its best-kept secrets: with elegantly clipped trees, exquisitely manicured lawns and flower-filled landscapes, they’ll leave you with a new lease on life. The Florentine gives you our top 7 hotels with gardens in Florence.
Villa La Vedetta
Hotel Villa Carlotta
Hotel Monna Lisa
Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo
Hotel Regency
Palazzo Castri
Four Seasons
Villa La Vedetta
At Villa La Vedetta, a neoclassical structure near piazzale Michelangelo, you’re guaranteed the best possible view of the city. Imagine yourself reclined in a hot tub with a glass of chilled Tuscan wine, surrounded by beautiful gardens and bella Firenze before you. Lounge by the pool or on the terrace under the warm Tuscan sun, and taste the free afternoon tea and homemade cake on offer from the hotel’s lounge bar, open from 12.30pm until midnight. Rooms boast comfort and style with antique finishes and contemporary interiors, accompanied by large marble bathrooms with spa tubs.
Hotel Villa Carlotta
This 19th century 4-star country manor house adheres to a classic style, with elegant parquet flooring, chandeliers and lacquered wood furniture. Just a 15 minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio or short bus ride from the bustling streets of downtown, Hotel Villa Carlotta is close to Palazzo Pitti, making it a great choice for museum lovers and Medici buffs! Borrow a bike from the front desk and stop off at the nearby Boboli Gardens, or wind down along the Arno banks and scenic side streets before making your way back to the hotel’s grounds to relax with a Negroni or a mojito from the international cocktail selection. Sitting down to some traditional Tuscan specialities in the hotel’s hearty restaurant is the perfect way to end the day.
Monna Lisa
A blossoming 15th century hotel on the most peaceful grounds imaginable, the Monna Lisa has a rich, vibrant garden lined with colourful flowers everywhere you look. A quirky, parterre design of triangular deep green hedges contrasts with the dabs of colour. The location of the Monna Lisa is also something to smile about, especially for art fanatics: Michelangelo’s David is less than half a kilometre away and the hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Duomo. The 4-star hotel also contains its own sculpture, antique furniture and artwork, including paintings from the studio of the current owners’ ancestor, Giovanni Duprè. Each room has a different design, making your stay feel extra-exclusive. All rooms feature a satellite flat-screen TV and mini bar.
Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo
Feel completely at one with nature in this 16th century property. Located in the San Frediano area, this idyllic hotel in the hills lends a delightfully southern feel to your Italian stay. The beautiful location offers fantastic views, especially from the seasonal outdoor pool and terrace, and with the added detail of carefully shaped bushes, tropical shrubbery and greenery, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel vaunts a rustic charm with its stone features, intricate dark wooden designs and old-fashioned paintings.
Hotel Regency
Hidden away from the busy city, yet just 10 minutes from its main sights, this leading hotel in the popular San Marco neighbourhood offers the best of both worlds. One side of this luxurious spot faces luscious, grassy parkland, while the other turns toward the historic centre. Each magnificent room has its own touches of Tuscan charm and is decorated with the finest of furnishings and all essential modern conveniences. The Regency Hotel has a quaint, urban garden, ideal for breakfast or a quiet drink. Be sure to try its renowned restaurant with friendly, welcoming staff on hand, serving exceptional Tuscan cuisine with winning wines in a glorious setting.
Palazzo Castri 1874
This modern 19th century property is just the place for those looking to unwind. With an on-site wellness centre comprising a sauna, connected indoor and outdoor pool, fitness suite, and a range of beauty treatments, this recently refurbished hotel is the ultimate spot for a detox! If that’s not enough to entice you, then the multiple green garden spaces home to picturesque palm trees and surrounded by modern decking, certainly will. Start your day off sweetly with a breakfast of fresh fruit and Italian croissants: in the summer months, breakfast can be enjoyed outside, overlooking the garden. In the San Lorenzo area, just a short stroll from the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, this hotel is an urban haven.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Live in luxury year-round at Florence’s Four Seasons hotel, complete with a 2-story spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and breathtaking giardino. Eleven acres of exquisite gardens stretch between the hotel’s two 15th and 16th century buildings, Palazzo della Gherardesca and Il Conventino. With bright and spacious rooms throughout, they effectively combine refined Renaissance decor with various modern touches like LCD televisions and DVD players. The spa features 9 beauty treatment rooms, a Turkish bath and gym, as well as an upper terrace with a pool and hot tub. That’s what we call the royal treatment! Continue the pampering post-treatment by sampling top Tuscan dishes made with local produce at the hotel’s restaurant, Il Palagio.
