Pucci, Piazzas & Prosecco: A Toast To 25 Years Of Florence's Iconic Hotel Savoy

Forbes

5 days ago

View from the old window on Florence Duomo Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence, Italy. getty
Who doesn't love Florence? The beautiful Tuscan capital—with its scenic views, rich history, stunning Renaissance architecture, vast artistic treasures, and romantic ambiance—is one of the world's most beloved travel destinations. So it's no surprise that I was thrilled for my recent, long-overdue visit to La Bella Firenze. With only a few short days to soak in all the magic (and sip an Aperol Spritz or two), I chose to stay right in the heart of the city, at a hotel that as much as any other embodies the history, style, and spirit of Florence: the iconic Hotel Savoy.
The entrance of the Hotel Savoy in Florence. Rocco Forte
Located in the historic Piazza della Repubblica - originally the site of the Roman Forum and today a bustling hub of elegant buildings, cafes, shops, and a famous vintage carousel – the Savoy could not be any more central. The hotel faces the Column of Abundance, which marks the literal center point of the ancient city. Exit the grand front doors of this venerable hotel, and it seems that the entire city is just a short walk away, from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi Gallery to the fashionable Via de' Tornabuoni.
The Carousel at Piazza della Repubblica, Florence, Italy - and the view from our room at the Savoy Hotel, Florence, Italy. getty
The history of the hotel at this site dates all the way back to 1893, and its initial christening as the Grand Hotel Savoia, which quickly became a meeting point for the Florentine aristocracy of the day. The Savoy's most recent incarnation dates back to the late 1990's, when the hotel became the second purchased by the Rocco Forte Hotels group twenty-five years ago, and opened in 2000 as arguably Florence's finest luxury hotel.
Famous Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy getty
The Savoy's most significant facelift came in 2018, when Rocco Forte Director of Design Olga Polizzi – seeking to combine Florence's heritage, history, and fashion with contemporary style – joined forces with celebrated Florentine fashion house Emilio Pucci to transform the Savoy's interiors. The hotel's entrance and lobby now feature vaulted ceilings and exposed columns - marking a return to their original grandeur – and Polizzi's white palette is the canvas for Pucci's colorful accents and design elements, including paintings by Italian artist Luca Pignatelli. During my visit, the lobby also featured the British artist Tracy Emin's neon installation 'My Forgotten Heart' in partnership with the nearby Palazzo Strozzi, where her work was on exhibition.
Olga Polizzi with the daughter of Florentine fashion designer Emilio Pucci, who is a design partner of Hotel Savoy. Rocco Forte
The lobby at the Hotel Savoy is adorned with Pucci fabric and rug. Rocco Forte hotel
The remodel also revamped the Savoy's rooms, reducing the room count from 102 to 79 to allow for more spacious and luxurious accommodations. The rooms are elegant, sophisticated, comfortable – and unmistakably Italian. They are also well-stocked with modern features and amenities, including Nespresso coffee machines and Smeg tea kettles. The bathrooms are Italian white marble, with exclusive Irene Forte Skincare toiletries (keeping it a family affair), and – at least in our Deluxe Suite – a powerful rain shower that would make the Amazon jealous. But my favorite part of the room was what was just outside - the gorgeous view over the lovely Piazza.
A suite at the Hotel Savoy in Florence. Rocco Forte
The bedroom of a suite at the Hotel Savoy in Florence. Rocco Forte
This year marks another important milestone in the life of the Savoy – the hotel's 25th anniversary as a Rocco Forte Hotel – and to celebrate, the hotel has unveiled two reimagined spaces, each paying homage to notable Italian women. The city of Florence is inextricably tied to its history and its art, and the Hotel Savoy pays homage to both in honoring these women.
Chef Fulvio Pierangelini Rocco Forte
The first is the hotel's signature restaurant, Irene, described as a 'love letter to Tuscany,' and named after Lady Irene Forte, the mother of the hotel group's Chairman. Chef Fulvio Pierangelini serves traditional Tuscan cuisine in a refined and intimate dining room, featuring walnut paneling, black and white marble floors, and fabrics by none other than Loro Piana, all under classic Venetian chandeliers. Irene also extends outdoors on to a lovely terrace along the front sidewalk of the hotel. My (very long) breakfast on the terrace on a beautiful, sunny late spring day, watching the colorful characters of Florence go by on the bustling Piazza, was truly one of the highlights of my visit to the city.
Breakfast at the Hotel Savoy's restaurant, Irene. Rocco Forte
The restaurant Irene at the Hotel Savoy. Rocco Forte hotels
Irene Restaurant at the Hotel Savoy in Florence. Rocco Forte
Just off the lobby, adjacent to the restaurant, is the newly unveiled Bar Artemisia. Named in honor of Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi - the first woman admitted to the Accademia del Disegno – and inspired by her creative spirit, the bar's interior features wallpaper with fresco imagery, dramatic lighting, and a bar counter crafted from the same rich wood as the Savoy's entrance doorway. The drink menu - created by Salvatore Calabrese and Federico Pavan, Head of Mixology at Rocco Forte – is a work of art in itself, featuring unique and inventive elements such as truffle, Chianti wine, and leather.
Mixologist creates a unique drink with the local Chianti as the main ingredient. Rocco Forte
Living up to its reputation as a haven for the arts, the Savoy goes a step further in celebrating Artemesia, offering an immersive experience titled, From Baroque Icon to Contemporary Muse: In the Footsteps of Artemisia . The itinerary begins at Casa Buonarroti, a hidden Florentine treasure that was once the home of Michelangelo's family, where guests will encounter Artemisia's "Allegory of Inclination," a rare early masterpiece, and delve into her intellectual and artistic flourishing in Florence. After diving into Artemisia's mature works at the Palatine Gallery in Palazzo Pitti, the tour culminates at the Savoy with a curated experience at Bar Artemisia.
Florence, Palazzo Pitti, Palatine Gallery. View of the Iliad Room. getty
Bar Artemisia at the Hotel Savoy in Florence. Rocco Forte
The Savoy has also just announced yet another exclusive experience, partnering with luxury jewelry house Cassetti to create 'Golden Hour on the Arno. ' A celebration of a different kind of artistry, this itinerary begins with a walk through central Florence to the Cassetti workshop located on the iconic Ponte Vechio. There, participants will have access to the designer's private archive of unique vintage pieces. Guests are then escorted to the banks of the Arno for a sunset cruise on a private boat, complete with violinist and Italian aperitivos. The evening concludes, of course, at the Savoy, with a late dinner at Irene.
Golden Hour on the Arno. Hotel Savoy
The Hotel Savoy has much to offer – and tying it all together is their wonderful staff, which helped me when my travel plans were derailed as a result of an Italian rail strike (which they brought to my attention). Thank you to Vittorio and the rest of the front desk and concierge staff for going above and beyond to make sure I was able to find alternative transportation to my next destination. Not that I would have minded spending a few more days in Florence, and at the Savoy.
One of the many streets in Florence filled with some of the best shopping Italy has to offer. Rocco Forte
*Travel Tip: Florence has plenty of great restaurants and eateries. Two of my favorites are located within easy walking distance of the Hotel Savoy. For a quick lunch, stop by SandwiChic. This tiny shop serves delicious fresh sandwiches on great bread, mostly through a small window. And if you don't know where to begin on their extensive menu, they will be happy to offer their advice.
The charming SandwiChic in Florence often has lines around the corner to order their unique sandwiches. Erica Wertheim Zohar
For dinner, one of my new favorite restaurants in Florence is Trattoria Sostanza. First opened in 1869 on a quiet Florence side street, and still operated by the same family, reservations (made well in advance) are a must at this no-frills spot with only seven small shared tables. Dinner becomes a communal experience with a curated, limited menu — but once you try the signature butter chicken they're known for, it's all worth it.
The grandson of the original owners of Trattoria Sostanza still runs this family restaurant in Florence. Erica Wertheim Zohar