The Glories of Florence’s Residenza d'Epoca in Piazza della Signoria
Heave open the ancient wooden door of Florence’s stylish Residenza d'Epoca (Boutique Hotel) in Piazza della Signoria and you’re immediately transported back in time to the heart of the glories of the Florentine Republic and the Italian Renaissance.
Located in a charming 14th century building, the Residenza d'Epoca in Piazza della Signoria is roomy, cozy, luxurious, charming and smack-dab at the center of Florentine history. Look, there’s the Palazzo Vecchio! Hey, Uffizi Gallery, is that you? They’re both right here! As in BOTH. RIGHT. HERE. Isn’t that Michelangelo’s David? (It’s a copy but the real one is a short walk away, as is the world-famous Duomo cathedral.) Wait, is that (gasp) a Gucci store? Gucci Garden? With a restaurant? (You betcha.) All this and you’re barely out the ancient door (it may or may not be original and nobody’s sayin’ for sure.
The adventure begins when you transit that ancient doorway and note the whimsical, Renaissance-style portraits of the hotel’s owners, Alessandro Pini, his wife Sonia, and their charming family. You’ll meet them in person to check in – including their energetic son Umberto, who seems to be everywhere at once. And then it's off to your room, which seems like such an inadequate word for your sumptuous accommodations. Classified into “Deluxe,” “Superior” and “Classic” categories, there’s a choice for every budget, with rooms starting at $279 per night (don’t tell the owners that even a closet is a steal at that price, especially given this location). There are ten rooms in all, plus three apartments.
The deluxe Leonardo and Michelangelo rooms are especially special. Leonardo boasts antique furniture and a wooden-coffered ceiling from the 14th century that turns nighttime relaxing into a visual “Where’s Waldo?” game. The generously large bathroom features pink marble and delicate mosaics. The Michelangelo showcases original 18th century frescoes, and the marble bathroom is finished in shades of green and beige.
Both rooms feature hardwood parquet floors covered with toe-curlingly thick, ornate rugs and real, honest-to-God air conditioning (if you’ve been to Italy before, you know what we’re saying between the lines). After a hot afternoon wandering the slightly-stuffy Uffizi, it’s a real treat, especially for Americans who expect their A/Cs to crank out typhoons of frigid air.
The rest of the rooms are equally appointed with the same care and attention to detail, if perhaps a tad less ornate. And there’s always something interesting to see.
For example, during renovations to the Tea Room on the first floor, a small sandal was found in a hidden niche inside the wall during renovations. Perhaps a 14th century construction worker forgot his footwear or a resident misplaced her flip-flop (I know it’s around here somewhere…). We’ll never know this little mystery’s story. And while the artifact isn’t on display, ever-present Umberto will cheerfully show it to you, along with original frescoes also discovered while remodeling.
Pre-Covid, the luxuriant one-table-for-all breakfast on the hotel’s top floor was a mouthwatering cacophony of sweets, breads, antipasti, fresh-squeezed juices, cooked-to-order eggs, bacon, sausage … whatever you wanted, really.
Nowadays it’s a continental affair, which is fine and accords with safety protocols. But we long for that glorious banquet and hope once all this is over, it’ll come roaring back (the feast, not the virus).
A true Tuscan treasure, the perfectly-placed Residenza d'Epoca in Piazza della Signoria is your beautiful, comfortable, luxurious and welcoming home after a day’s exploration of Florence's endless fascinations.
A Precautionary Word
COVID, of course, has taken its toll on the Italian hospitality industry. Residenza d'Epoca in Piazza della Signoria ensures guest safety with enhanced cleanliness measures and safety precautions. High-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected in accordance with Italy’s Safe Hospitality National Protocol, and sheets and towels are washed at 60°C/140°F or hotter. PPE is worn by staff, social distancing and contactless check-in and check-out are in effect, and all rooms are kept vacant for 24 hours between stays.
Boutique Hotel in Piazza Della Signoria
Via dei Magazzini, 2
50122 Florence
Italy
+39 055 2399546
Photo credit: ME! (Pam Fleming, art director)
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