Helvetia & Bristol Firenze

A five-star hotel between Via de' Tornabuoni and the Duomo, a luxury address since the late 19th century, with 89 rooms and suites, a Cibrèo restaurant and a spa on the site of Roman baths.

The actress Eleonora Duse made Helvetia & Bristol her long-term home. Enrico Fermi, Eugenio Montale, Luigi Pirandello and Gabriele D’Annunzio stayed, and the Winter Garden still has its Liberty-style glass ceiling. The hotel has been a luxury address since the late 19th century, calls itself the first five-star hotel in the heart of Florence, and is now part of Starhotels Collezione.

It is on Via dei Pescioni, between Via de’ Tornabuoni and Via dei Calzaiuoli, a few steps from Palazzo Strozzi and the Duomo.

Of the 89 rooms and suites, 64 are in the Helvetia wing. The other 25 fill the Bristol wing, the former seat of the Banco di Roma, and Anouska Hempel designed them. From the fifth floor, the Panoramic Suite looks at the Duomo, Giotto’s bell tower and Palazzo Strozzi. The Emerald Patio Suite has a private patio.

Breakfast pastries come from Iginio Massari. Dinner is at Cibrèo Ristorante, with Cibrèo Caffè for the rest of the day. LA SPA was built on the site of ancient Roman baths and is open to non-guests. If you drive, expect one-way streets, valet parking only and €60 to €80 a night for the garage.