Tucked behind Piazza della Signoria, practically leaning on the Uffizi, the Hotel Bernini Palace is a 15th-century palazzo with hospitality in its bones. Back when Florence briefly served as Italy's capital in the 1860s, parliamentarians and senators would pile in for backroom dealings over dinner – and you can still feel that buzz of importance today. Now a polished five-star with 74 rooms adorned in antiques and Murano glass, it's elegant, un-showy and thoroughly Italian. The concierge team (Les Clefs d'Or, no less) know every cobblestone in the centro storico, and the location genuinely couldn't be better for getting to know Florence on foot.
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The 74 rooms are all individually furnished and no two are alike. The dedicated Tuscan Floor is a standout: think beamed ceilings, four-poster beds, terracotta tiles and rich tapestries that channel a Renaissance-era warmth. Higher up, rooms shift to a more refined palette with gilded accents, stained glass and plush carpets to sink into. Deluxe rooms come with Murano glass lamps and generous proportions, while the suites offer separate living areas with views that make it hard to leave. Marble-floored bathrooms are a good size, and most have both a bath and shower.
Breakfast in the frescoed Sala Parlamento, surrounded by painted portraits of Garibaldi and the heroes of Italian Unification. It's like eating your cornetto in a museum.
Head up to the rooftop terrace at sunset for views across to Palazzo Vecchio. A dip in the hot tub is a very civilised way to end a day of gallery-hopping!
The Classic rooms are cosy by five-star standards, so if you like to spread out, it's worth upgrading to a Deluxe or higher.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Hotel Bernini Palace can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring Hotel Bernini Palace or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Hotel Bernini Palace start from around $190, or US$190, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A Renaissance masterpiece of art, architecture and exceptional living.
