A luxurious stay in the oldest hotel in Florence | Italy

Florence the capital of Tuscany, or better known as the cradle of the Renaissance, is one of the most famous cultural cities in Europe. When you’re exploring Florence I have only one tip for you. Let yourself be completely immersed in the history of this beautiful city. What better way to do that than staying in the oldest hotel in Florence.

NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa is a 5 star hotel that is situated in the heart of the city. Not only is the location perfect as a base for discovering the historical centre. The hotel offers so much more than this. Here you can experience the real Florence where history meets the present.

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A luxurious stay in the oldest hotel in Florence

When I entered NH collection Firenze Porta RossaI was literally speechless. It wasn’t the trainride from Pisa or the exhaustion from the early flight the day before but the mesmerising lobby that left me without words.

The design of the lobby, consisting of authentic elements in combination with modern design, took me back to the early 20th century. It tells a story and creates an atmosphere of luxury, comfort and cosiness. Everything is finished to perfection with an eye for detail.

The most stunning element in the lobby is the stained glass window on the ceiling made by the Ulisse De Matteis shop, which played a mayor role in the restoration of a great number of public monuments in Florence.

Throughout the whole hotel in NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa you can find more authentic elements such as the gorgeous original frescos in the restaurant and in certain rooms.

The oldest part of the hotel goes way back to the Middle Ages. The medieval tower, now a luxurious suite with an amazing panoramic view, was bought in 1477. Together with surrounding buildings it was transformed into a single entity. Later renovations followed to make the property into a hotel.

I really like that they preserved the authentic character of the different periods throughout history combined with contemporary design. This is what gives the hotel that own and unique identity which I am always looking for in overnight stays.

Rooms

NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa has 72 rooms equally beautiful in different sizes. You can choose the perfect fit that matches your needs and budget.

The elegant style of the hotel is extended throughout the rooms. The same old-fashioned charm is combined with a modern design. Natural wooden tones with white and red accents create a warm and cosy atmosphere. Some rooms even have original restored frescos on the walls and ceilings.

Every room has a private bathroom with a modern walk in shower or bath. In the bathroom you will find all the supplies you need including products, towels and even a bathrobe and slippers!

If you get a little hungry or thirsty no need to go far, because in the room you can enjoy free coffee or tea and there’s a minibar. If you are too tired or you don’t feel like going out, you can order room service and snuggle up with a delicious meal.

The rooms get cleaned daily and you see they are very well cared for. I personally loved the little details such as tiny chocolates on the pillows.

We stayed in the junior suite and I can highly recommend this room if you want that extra little bit of luxury. This room is spacious with a high ceiling and original frecos on the wall. Although the room is quite big it is furnished in way that it still feels warm and cosy. This room is even ‘famous’ because it was the scene of an Italian blockbuster ‘Amici Miei’.

If you want to have a truly special and romantic experience you must take a look in the panoramic suite, which is located in the medieval tower. On the top floor you have the most spectacular view over the city. If you book the room you can also order a private diner including a chef!

When I heard that I was already daydreaming of a romantic valentines diner with sunset over Florence! Unfortunately for me this luxurious suite was already booked for valentine…

Services

Staff

The staff welcomed us kindly at the lobby. We were much too early for check-in, but the staff did everything to get our room ready as quickly as possible. In the meantime we could enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel’s beautiful lobby.
There is always someone available at the lobby day and night if you need something or have a question. They are happy to help you.
When in the lobby you must try the homemade cookies. They are delicious!

Relaxing in style

Besides the lobby there is a salon on every floor. If you want to sit somewhere quiet you have plenty of choice. All the salons are beautifully decorated in their own way. It is fun to stop on every floor to see all of them.

Breakfast

Porta Rossa brings the breakfast buffet, as I know it to another level. At the buffet you can really find everything. You can have a luxurious breakfast with a glass of proscecco and local specialties, but you can also enjoy a sandwich with a topping of your choice, delicious pastries or yoghurt with fresh fruit and much more. In short, a large buffet with many choices and variety.

Restaurant

The restaurant, where the breakfast is also served is located on the ground floor of the hotel. The interior is simply breath taking. You will once again find the combination between authentic and modern elements. I personally found the bar the most spectacular part of the restaurant.

You can go there for lunch, diner or just an aperitif and appetizers. Unique is that this restaurant specializes in dishes based on truffle. For this they collaborate with Savini Tartufi. Of course there are also other regional dishes on the menu. So you can enjoy either one in a gorgeous setting. Be sure to stop by and try the gin made from truffle. This is delicious!

Other services

And off course there is Wi-Fi available throughout the whole hotel. For more services click here.

Location

The hotel has a great location in the heart of Florence. It is within walking distance of all major attractions such as Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi gallery and the world-famous Duomo.

The historic centre consists of a maze of small streets and alleys. Here in one of those many streets the hotel is situated, via Porta Rossa.

When you step outside you are right in the middle of the centre. You do not have to use public transport and can immediately start exploring the city by foot.That is definitely the best thing about the location.

An extra advantage is that  Porta Rossa is located in the middle of the shopping district with luxurious and trendy shops and nearby Piazza di Mercato Nuovo. it’s a very vibrant area.

How to explore Florence

First of all ask a map in de lobby and go sightseeing in the historical centre. Nothing better than discovering the city on foot.  Walk along the most beautiful sights of Florence. Take your time and enjoy the Italian lifestyle, go for an espresso, taste Italian cuisine including wine and relax on a bench with a gelato. By the way hotel Porta Rossa also provides a list of suggestions where to eat on different times during the day. That might come in handy.

Don’t forget to check out Getyourguide offers for entrance tickets to the most impressive sights, unique tours or unforgettable day trips.

Video

Don’t forget the watch the compilation video of our stay in Florence and in hotel NH collection Firenze Porta Rossa

Does a luxurious overnight stay in the oldest hotel in Florence sounds like something for you? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading!

Yours truly,

Sarah

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