Pros

  • Posh boutique property set in a 16th century Renaissance palace
  • In Florence’s historical center, a six-minute walk to the Duomo
  • Visually stunning and rich in Florentine Renaissance culture and history
  • Owner Daniela provides an authentic window into Florentine life
  • Original period features including elaborate mythological ceiling frescos
  • Hosted renowned Renaissance artist Raphael in 1505
  • Spacious, decadent rooms with welcome gift, Nespresso machines, and minibars
  • Higher category rooms have jetted baths and welcome bottles of sparkling wine
  • Free breakfast with Florentine dishes and Venetian music
  • Welcome drink -- either traditional Italian liqueur or local wine
  • Music room hosting evening aperitifs and other events
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout and paid valet parking available
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Cons

  • In-house breakfast five days a week (remaining days at nearby cafe)
  • Reception isn't staffed around the clock
  • Wi-Fi can be spotty
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Bottom Line

Stunning Palazzo Tolomei Residenza d’Epoca is a unique upscale property set in a 16th-century palace with original features, including gorgeous ceiling frescos. It doesn’t have every modern convenience at your fingertips, but it oozes elegance and refinement, and the 10 spacious, decadent rooms come with ample comforts. The free breakfast is a lavish spread of traditional Florentine dishes, while the music room hosts evening aperitifs and other surprise events. Guided city tours with exclusive local information are available for a fee, and a refined collection of DVDs, art books, and Florence guidebooks have been carefully selected by owner Daniela. Free Wi-Fi and paid valet parking are also available. For something with real luxury panache, try Relais Santa Croce instead, though it's far more expensive.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Palazzo Tolomei Residenza d’Epoca

Scene

Atmospheric boutique property in a historical palace, with visually stunning original features and Old-World ambience

The Italian concept of beauty is a major theme at Palazzo Tolomei Residenza D’Epoca, an atmospheric boutique property with gorgeous period features and Old-World ambience. Warm-hearted owner Daniela happily emphasizes this, not only by surrounding guests with the visual beauty of the palazzo, but also by teaching them to embrace it as a way of life. Beautiful Renaissance art is everywhere, and every detail, from the rooms to the artful presentation of breakfast, is elegant. An ordinary hotel stay transforms to an existence in a past era, steeped in refinement: it’s a lesson much appreciated, not to mention one that makes previous guests feel fabulous. While this isn’t a hotel with every convenience at your fingertips -- reception has limited opening hours, for example -- it’s brimming with class.

The palazzo itself is a marvel of Renaissance beauty, with a long history of powerful families, capricious countesses, and famous artists: the Taddei family, business associates with the Medici’s, hosted Raphael here in 1505. Impossibly high ceilings, ample gilding, and an abstract quality that can only be described as Renaissance flair, highlight the privileged existence of its past residents. The elaborate ceiling frescos are a wonder, themed after timeless figures of mythology: In the reception room, a glowing figure of Apollo drives away the feminine figure of Night and masculine Sleep. It’s these refined details, paired with a vibe that’s undeniably romantic, that attracts couples of all ages from around the world. 

See More Scene

Location

On a narrow local street in Florence’s historical center, a six-minute walk to the Duomo

Although its immediate surroundings don’t inspire much confidence, Palazzo Tolomei has a convenient location, with decent dining options just around the corner. The Accademia Gallery, where the original "David" is housed, is just a four-minute walk, while the Duomo is six minutes away on foot. High-end shopping on popular Via dei Tournabuoni is roughly a 10-minute walk, and Florence’s main train station is a 12-minute stroll. Both the Uffizi Gallery and historical Ponte Vecchio can be reached by foot in 13 minutes, while Florence’s airport is a 25-minute drive.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious and decadent, with original features and modern comforts -- many featuring gorgeous frescoed ceilings

In keeping with the grand beauty of the public areas, Palazzo Tolomei’s 10 individually-decorated rooms are spacious and decadent, with period features such as high ceilings, gorgeous frescos, and terra-cotta flooring from the Baroque era. All have modern amenities, including Nespresso machines, minibars, DVD players, comfortable memory foam mattresses, slippers, and Tuscan olive-oil based toiletries. Higher category rooms feature bathrobes and a welcome bottle of spumanti, and some come with romantic four-poster beds and a jetted bath for two. Bathrooms aren’t the most spacious, but many have posh gold fixtures, and all include extra grooming amenities. Although Superior Rooms are the entry-level category, they're done up in the same elegance as other rooms, with lush satin and leather furnishings, original Baroque-era features, plus a large sofa for lounging. Deluxe Rooms are larger, and many have frescoed ceilings. Suites are the ultimate indulgence, with elaborate frescos, rich furnishings, and separate lounges for languishing away the days and nights. 

See More Rooms

Features

Tailored to provide an authentic Florentine experience, including free local breakfast and special guided tours

All facilities at Palazzo Tolomei are tailored to provide guests with an authentic window onto Florence. The lavish free breakfast is hosted by owner Daniela and her staff on most days, consisting exclusively of traditional Florentine dishes made fresh from local products -- along with advice on how to enjoy them. On some days, breakfast is provided at a local cafe instead, but it’s a welcome opportunity to venture outside. The elegant music room hosts aperitif nights and other surprises based on Daniela’s whims. The palazzo also offers paid private tours of Florence filled with exclusive local information and special recommendations. A free welcome drink introduces guests to Italy’s wide array of local liqueurs, while a vast collection of DVDs, art and history books, and local guidebooks -- carefully curated by Daniela -- is also available to peruse. The free Wi-Fi can be spotty in some places -- a result of the three-foot deep Baroque walls. Paid valet parking service is available for those with cars. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Palazzo Tolomei Residenza d’Epoca

Scene

Atmospheric boutique property in a historical palace, with visually stunning original features and Old-World ambience

The Italian concept of beauty is a major theme at Palazzo Tolomei Residenza D’Epoca, an atmospheric boutique property with gorgeous period features and Old-World ambience. Warm-hearted owner Daniela happily emphasizes this, not only by surrounding guests with the visual beauty of the palazzo, but also by teaching them to embrace it as a way of life. Beautiful Renaissance art is everywhere, and every detail, from the rooms to the artful presentation of breakfast, is elegant. An ordinary hotel stay transforms to an existence in a past era, steeped in refinement: it’s a lesson much appreciated, not to mention one that makes previous guests feel fabulous. While this isn’t a hotel with every convenience at your fingertips -- reception has limited opening hours, for example -- it’s brimming with class.

The palazzo itself is a marvel of Renaissance beauty, with a long history of powerful families, capricious countesses, and famous artists: the Taddei family, business associates with the Medici’s, hosted Raphael here in 1505. Impossibly high ceilings, ample gilding, and an abstract quality that can only be described as Renaissance flair, highlight the privileged existence of its past residents. The elaborate ceiling frescos are a wonder, themed after timeless figures of mythology: In the reception room, a glowing figure of Apollo drives away the feminine figure of Night and masculine Sleep. It’s these refined details, paired with a vibe that’s undeniably romantic, that attracts couples of all ages from around the world. 

See More Scene

Location

On a narrow local street in Florence’s historical center, a six-minute walk to the Duomo

Although its immediate surroundings don’t inspire much confidence, Palazzo Tolomei has a convenient location, with decent dining options just around the corner. The Accademia Gallery, where the original "David" is housed, is just a four-minute walk, while the Duomo is six minutes away on foot. High-end shopping on popular Via dei Tournabuoni is roughly a 10-minute walk, and Florence’s main train station is a 12-minute stroll. Both the Uffizi Gallery and historical Ponte Vecchio can be reached by foot in 13 minutes, while Florence’s airport is a 25-minute drive.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious and decadent, with original features and modern comforts -- many featuring gorgeous frescoed ceilings

In keeping with the grand beauty of the public areas, Palazzo Tolomei’s 10 individually-decorated rooms are spacious and decadent, with period features such as high ceilings, gorgeous frescos, and terra-cotta flooring from the Baroque era. All have modern amenities, including Nespresso machines, minibars, DVD players, comfortable memory foam mattresses, slippers, and Tuscan olive-oil based toiletries. Higher category rooms feature bathrobes and a welcome bottle of spumanti, and some come with romantic four-poster beds and a jetted bath for two. Bathrooms aren’t the most spacious, but many have posh gold fixtures, and all include extra grooming amenities. Although Superior Rooms are the entry-level category, they're done up in the same elegance as other rooms, with lush satin and leather furnishings, original Baroque-era features, plus a large sofa for lounging. Deluxe Rooms are larger, and many have frescoed ceilings. Suites are the ultimate indulgence, with elaborate frescos, rich furnishings, and separate lounges for languishing away the days and nights. 

See More Rooms

Features

Tailored to provide an authentic Florentine experience, including free local breakfast and special guided tours

All facilities at Palazzo Tolomei are tailored to provide guests with an authentic window onto Florence. The lavish free breakfast is hosted by owner Daniela and her staff on most days, consisting exclusively of traditional Florentine dishes made fresh from local products -- along with advice on how to enjoy them. On some days, breakfast is provided at a local cafe instead, but it’s a welcome opportunity to venture outside. The elegant music room hosts aperitif nights and other surprises based on Daniela’s whims. The palazzo also offers paid private tours of Florence filled with exclusive local information and special recommendations. A free welcome drink introduces guests to Italy’s wide array of local liqueurs, while a vast collection of DVDs, art and history books, and local guidebooks -- carefully curated by Daniela -- is also available to peruse. The free Wi-Fi can be spotty in some places -- a result of the three-foot deep Baroque walls. Paid valet parking service is available for those with cars. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.