Palazzo Castri 1874
Piazza dell'Indipendenza, 7, Florence, Tuscany 50129, Italy
Why We Like It
Chic, sleek, and contemporary, this boutique is a high-end spot that bucks the traditional Tuscan hotel by providing guests with all modern amenities. The real highlight is the garden in the back – especially in the summer – for late day drinks and all-day hangs. Rooms are spacious and cozy and service is top-rate. Boutique hotel fans who love the rusticity and charm of the city without the same spilling into their hotel will embrace this new and lavish joint.
Fodor's Expert Review
Starkly white and modern with touches of a world gone by, this boutique hotel is a high-end property with a lot to love. Inside, guests are treated to a variety of luxuries like a decadent spa, complimentary afternoon tea, and a wondrous oversized hidden garden in the back. Service here is also top-rate and the helpful and friendly staff provide a welcoming experience to make your Florentine stay feel like home.
Tip Book directly with the hotel and you’ll get a welcome drink as well as a 10% discount at the bar and spa.
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Room
There are a variety of room types, but you can expect most rooms to have hardwood floors, modern white designs, chic art on the walls, and flat-screen TVs. All rooms come equipped with Handy devices – a helpful gadget that provides free Wi-Fi anywhere in the city. The best rooms are the superior variety with individual terraces looking out over the garden.
Tip There is one deluxe room in the entire hotel that has a stunning Renaissance fresco on the ceiling. Ask ahead if you want to book this unique spot in the hotel.
Bathroom
Sleek bathrooms come equipped with bidets and rain showers flooded with ominous blue lights (you can turn them off). Toiletry kits provide the essentials and Dr. Vranjes bath products are the norm.
Lobby
The lobby area is replete with deep red couches, lots of reading material, and features an original fresco on the ceiling – so don’t forget to look up! There is also a computer in the corner for guests to use.
Pool
An indoor/outdoor hydro-massage pool (fancy name for an oversized hot tub) provides guests with a relaxing and soothing retreat. You won’t be swimming any laps, but the jets can massage your muscles.
Spa
The spa area includes the pool and gym and also features a Finnish sauna and emotion showers (their words, not ours). In addition to a variety of beauty and massage treatments, the spa also has a relaxation room with futuristic white lounge furniture for leisurely naps.
Gym
The minuscule gym is open from 7 am-10 pm and has a few Technogym machines and free weights. It’s enough for a workout – but why don’t you go out and walk around – you’re in Florence for god’s sake.
Dining
On the main floor of the hotel is the Florentia Café, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included with your booking, and the menu during the rest of the day includes sandwiches, pastas, and smoothies.
Tip Also free with your room is the hotel’s afternoon tea service. Served just off the lobby, the service includes tea and the hotel’s own delicious cakes and biscuits made with the lemons from their garden.
Drinking
A small indoor bar is adjacent to the café and offers a mix of craft cocktails.
Gardens
The true raison d'être (wait, we’re in Italy – ragione per essere) of the hotel is the hidden garden dubbed, La Limonaia – named for the lemon trees walled off on one side. This 1,000 square-meter space has flowing palm trees and flowers and loads of lounge chairs. In summer months, an outside bar feeds guests with snacks and booze and also doubles as outdoor seating for the café.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Florence is small, so walking to almost anything is ideal. This hotel is on the northern side of the Centro Storico, but still close to major attractions, restaurants, and shopping areas. It is also a short walk to the train station in case you want to hop around the country during your stay.
Restaurants
Fuoco Motto Pizza & Grill (3-minute walk) is a chic pizza gem with fluffy crusts and oozing buffalo mozzarella. For a more rustic trattoria setting with delicious pastas, check out Le Fonticine (3-minute walk).
Bars
Irish pub and football fans would do well to check out The Fiddler’s Elbow (10-minute walk). For a more classic bar experience, head over to La Cocotte Restaurant Café (3-minute walk). If you want a mix of beer and wine bars, go to Mercato Centrale (4-minute walk) for a little bit of everything.
Quick Facts
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