Finding the right place to stay in Florence isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. The city has no shortage of beautiful hotels, yet many fall into one of two categories: grand five-star establishments or smaller boutique properties that can feel anonymous or overly designed. Palazzo Guadagni offers exactly what we have always we’d been looking for. And it’s a great, authentic, yet affordable experience.
History
Occupying the upper floors of a Renaissance palazzo overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito, the building dates back to 1505 and has remained in the hands of the Guadagni family for generations. In 1912, the Bandini sisters transformed the family’s private home into a guesthouse. By then, the Loggia had already become a gathering place for artists, writers and scholars from the German Institute of Art History, located one floor below. Following an extensive restoration in 2007, the guesthouse was thoughtfully revived, with its frescoes carefully restored while preserving the spirit of the house.
Design
High ceilings, frescoed rooms, original fireplaces and deep-set windows are part of the building’s fabric. The minimal intervention that has been made is what makes the palazzo so appealing, allowing its character to speak for itself. Antique furnishings, paintings and objects collected over generations make it feel like a home that has evolved naturally over time.
Rooms
There are fifteen rooms, ranging from intimate doubles to spacious family rooms. No two are exactly alike, but all retain the generous proportions typical of historic Florentine buildings. Many preserve original frescoes, while vintage-tiled bathrooms and traditional bed frames lend the rooms a quiet sense of old-world grandeur.
Some rooms overlook Palazzo Pitti, others the rooftops of the Oltrarno, while one even frames Brunelleschi’s Dome from the shower. It’s fun choosing your perspective on Florence when making your booking. With plenty of inviting common areas throughout the hotel, we rarely saw these spaces in use, but they are a thoughtful addition, particularly for families or groups of friends travelling together. Most importantly, the rooms are wonderfully comfortable – we slept exceptionally well throughout our stay.
The Rooftop
The hotel’s defining space is undoubtedly its rooftop Loggia. Breakfast is served each morning beneath its vaulted arches, overlooking Florence’s terracotta rooftops, with the rolling Tuscan hills beyond. Just inside, a pantry-style buffet is laid out with fresh fruit, pastries, eggs and local dairy products for guests to help themselves before lingering over the view.
By sunset, the atmosphere changes completely. Open to non-residents for aperitivo and small bites, the terrace fills with Florentines, expats and hotel guests, making it difficult to tell who is staying here and who has simply come for a drink. We have to say, there may be plenty of places to enjoy a sunset spritz in Florence, but this became our favourite.
Amenities
Rather than relying on extensive facilities, Palazzo Guadagni feels more like a well-looked-after home than a conventional hotel. It’s all refreshingly uncomplicated, and somehow everything you need is there. There are generous common rooms for reading or working, a small library and, of course, the Loggia. We particularly appreciated the ease of the service, which never felt overly formal but was always genuinely warm.
Location
Occupying one side of Piazza Santo Spirito, you are in one of Florence’s most creative neighbourhoods. It is an ideal base: close enough to explore everything on foot (the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi are all within easy walking distance), yet just far enough from the busiest tourist streets to experience everyday Florence. One of our favourite discoveries was the old-fashioned photo booth beside the lovely bakery S.Forno, which still produces analogue photo strips.
Neighbourhood & Surroundings
Oltrarno has long been Florence’s neighbourhood of artisans, partly because many settled here to work on the construction and decoration of Palazzo Pitti, and that tradition still lingers today. Bookbinders, printmakers, furniture restorers and small independent workshops continue to occupy many of the surrounding streets. In good weather, a stroll through the nearby Boboli Gardens, with their sixteenth-century landscaping and sculptures, is a joy. As the sun sets, Piazza Santo Spirito fills with locals spilling out of the cafés and bars or sitting on the steps of the Basilica. It’s an unassuming scene, but one that stayed with us more than many of the city’s grander landmarks.
Ideal For
Couples, families and solo travellers looking for a more authentic way to experience Florence. Travellers who value atmosphere and character over spectacle will feel particularly at home here.
Tip
The Guadagni team also manages an apartment on the ground floor of the palazzo, which could be an excellent option for longer stays.
Rates
From around 250 euros per room & night.
Booking & Contacts
Palazzo Guadagni
Piazza Santo Spirito, 9
50125 Florence,
Italy
