38 Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, Florence, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Landmark 19th-century hotel overlooking the Arno River
Walking distance from main tourist attractions
Bright and spacious rooms, some with balconies
Rooftop terrace with stunning views and (seasonal) pool
Elegant restaurant serving traditional Tuscan cooking
Free continental buffet breakfast
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No tea/coffee
facilities in room
Not walking distance from
train station
Pool closed over winter months
The Plaza
Lucchesi is a renowned upscale hotel dating from 1860 that overlooks the
Arno River in central Florence. While it's not walking distance from the train station,
most of the city's attraction are a short stroll away. Rooms are more spacious
than most for the area and a rooftop pool features superb panoramas over the city and
beyond. Overall, it's one of Florence's classier hotels. For a more historic feel -- and loftier vistas --
consider the hillside Torre di Belloguardo instead.
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.
Scene
Landmark 19th-century hotel with period touches and modern styling
Despite typical
neoclassic touches in the Florentine palazzo style, the unassuming facade of
the Plaza Lucchesi Hotel is quite easily missed. Dating back to the 1860s, this landmark
hotel is certainly one of the more famous in Florence. Stepping inside the
feel is anything but old-fashioned, with an almost minimalist reception area
comprising two brushed-brass check-in desks, polished parquet flooring, and a
smattering of sofas. The vibe is elegant but laid-back, combining plenty of
period touches -- green marble, antique furnishings, and original stained glass
windows -- with fresh contemporary styling. A pair of elevators and a white-marble
staircase service the hotel's four floors, while a gorgeous rooftop pool and
terrace area features superb views of the surrounding attractions including the
Ponte Vecchio, the Basilica of Santa Croce church, and the iconic Duomo.
Location
Overlooking the Arno River, a short stroll from Ponte Vecchio
The hotel is
situated on the Lungarno, a busy road that runs along the Arno River, on the east side of central Florence. The Ponte Vecchio is a five-minute walk along the river, and it takes about the same amount of time to reach the Uffuzi
Museum. It's about 10 minutes on foot to the Duomo. While all of the city-center
attractions are within walking distance, the main Santa Maria Novella train
station is a 10- to 15-minute taxi ride. Florence's small Amerigo
Vespucci Airport is about half an hour away by car, while the more popular Pisa International
Airport takes about an hour to reach.
Rooms
Bright and spacious rooms, many with views over Florence
The hotel has 87
rooms and 10 suites, all of which are bright and airy with a blend of simple, classical
styling with contemporary touches. Amenities include minibars and
wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, but rooms lack tea/coffee
facilities. Many rooms feature views over the river or over the Florentine
roofline, some from furnished balconies. Family Rooms and some Suites are
spread over two levels, with bed and living rooms on separate floors. Good soundproofing also
means traffic is barely audible, and the rooms are relatively spacious by central
Florence standards. Bathrooms have brown tile and shower/tub combos or walk-in showers.
Features
Free breakfast and Wi-Fi, plus rooftop terrace with pool, bar, and stunning 360-degree vistas
A free buffet
breakfast is served in the hotel's elegant but relaxed restaurant, which also serves a mix of traditional Tuscan and
international dishes at lunch and dinner. The most impressive feature of the hotel, however, is its seasonal rooftop swimming pool, surrounded by a furnished
terrace with a bar and 360-degree views over Florence and its surrounding
hills. Private parking is also available for a fee and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
