Bernini Palace Hotel

More than just an upscale hotel, the Bernini Palace Hotel is a historical Italian landmark housed in a 15th-century castle, with parts of it dating back to the 14th-century. In the 17th and 19th centuries it was a hotel, but it gained historical significance in 1865 through 1870 as the meeting place for the House of Parliament when Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. When the capital moved to Rome, the hotel fell into ruin until the 1980s when a restoration was completed. The latest renovation of the exterior was completed in 2015, a modernization that makes the hotel appear less old than it is.

The property is grand and elegant with charming period decor -- though it might not suit all tastes, and some might find it stuffy. The lobby is cloaked in cream, white, and gold hues and features arched ceilings and intricate crown molding. The adjoining lounge bar offers a number of elegant upholstered chairs paired with richly patterned rugs and green plants in gold planters. Landscape art in gilded frames grace the walls, as do quirky busts of women with hats. Hallways are ornately decorated with printed blue and gold floral carpets, velour armchairs, and walls with crown molding and colorful panels. 

Other common areas include a lovely terrace with potted plants and woven patio furniture, some of which is shaded by a cabana. There’s also an intimate restaurant with white tablecloth-clad tables and red velour chairs. The Sala Parlamento, which was the meeting place of the Parliament members in the 19th-century, is currently the hotel’s breakfast room. Chandeliers and wall lights display exquisite frescoed ceilings and portraits of prestigious Italians. Overall, this upscale property is full of romantic charm that tends to attract mostly vacationing couples. 

This hotel's central, historic location by the Piazza di San Firenze is one of its biggest draws for travelers. Shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars surround the hotel, and most popular attractions can be reached on foot. It takes two minutes to reach the Palazzo Vecchio, a 13th-century palace, while the Uffizi Gallery, which houses famous works by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli, is a four-minute walk away. The iconic Duomo is a six-minute walk, as is the Ponte Vecchio. The popular shopping street of Via Tornabuoni is a seven-minute walk away. The nearest bus stop is two minutes away, while Santa Maria Novella train station is a 15-minute walk. Florence's Peretola Airport is about a 20-minute drive or about a half-hour to 40 minutes by public transportation. 

The hotel's 74 rooms are spacious and elegant, with decor that ranges from a classic Italian style to period furnishings from the Renaissance. Decor in the classic Italian-style rooms consists of parquet flooring, grand tapestries, fine floral prints, antiques, Murano glass lamps, and elegant, printed wall panels. Rooms on the Tuscan floor have a Renaissance-style with wooden doors, exposed wooden ceiling beams, terra-cotta floors, hanging iron lamps, and wooden furniture. Tuscan-floor rooms have a more intimate, medieval vibe with dimmer lighting and darker prints on bedding and furniture. 

Amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, free bottled water, free Wi-Fi, and kettles. There’s air-conditioning, but it isn’t available year-round (which is typical in Italy). Some suites have separate living rooms. Windows overlook the street or courtyard, while a few suites have views of the cathedral. Bathrooms are elegant with sleek tiles, gilded mirrors, and Culti toiletries. They're equipped with shower/tub combos, bidets, and hairdryers. 

Hotel Bernini Palace has fewer facilities than most upscale properties -- there’s no spa, gym, or pool on-site. It does have a restaurant, La Chiostrina, which serves regional dishes for lunch and dinner, while the Lounge Bar serves small plates and drinks from mid-morning to late evening. Room service is available 24/7. A free American breakfast buffet is served in the historic and grand breakfast room, or it can be delivered to guest rooms. Business guests are catered to with free Wi-Fi, one fully equipped meeting room, and a public computer for guest use. The historic Sala Parlamento and Tuscan Floor are available for events. Small pets are welcome, and valet parking incurs a daily fee.