Top 19 Cool and Unusual Hotels in Florence 2023

Ensconced in the heart of the Santa Maria Novella district of Florence, this hotel was dreamt up by interior designer Paola Navone.

Taking inspiration from Dante’s Divine Comedy, it is full of little details alluding to this legendary work. Guests are playfully led through the virtues and vices of Dante’s creation, finding themselves sometimes in heaven and sometimes in hell.

There is an in-house cinema, a bustling restaurant, and a verdant courtyard garden. Whether you want to sip away on Negroni’s in the vibrant piazza, take a ride on one of the Schindelhauer bikes, or even (god forbid) take the best jogging routes around the city your needs will be expertly taken care of in this unique central city hotel. 

Another cool boutique hotel, this one is just 5-minute walk from the famous Duomo. Rooms have cool historic details like arched ceilings and frescoes alongside enormous comfortable beds and all the modern facilities that you need.

Guests can enjoy a freshly made continental breakfast on site and also make use of the lounge bar and there is a delicious restaurant just a few minutes walk away that works in partnership with the hotel.

The hotel also provides free airport travel to keep your trip easy and stress-free. 

This award-winning hotel comprises a cool and quirky juxtaposition of modern and retro design executed by inspirational architect Fabio Novembre.

The truly unique hotel is warm and authentic, giving you the very best of Tuscan style. It is also conscientious about the environment, offering free bikes and Tesla charging points and serving up fresh seasonal food in its kitchens. It is in a great location for enjoying the city and the surrounding region.

Rooms are full of cool details but don’t compromise on comfort and the communal spaces have the wow factor! Guests will experience full Tuscan charm and exceptional services at this unusual boutique hotel. 

This splendid boutique hotel in the heart of Florence is particularly suited to explorers with a fondness for the unusual and curious.

The extravagant designer interior features elegant mid-century furnishings combined with distinctive objects and artworks collected from around the world by the family Patriarch, a well-respected art dealer, and subsequently added to over many years.

Each of the four luxury suites is themed around a different explorer, the bathroom in the tropical oasis of the Durrell suite even features a living ceiling! The Livingstone, Darwin, and Fossey Suites each have their special touches too, a balcony, a reading nook, and a chromotherapy shower all being in the mix.

Verona’s Jungle is a friendly family-run business with a sustainable outlook on travel, there is a bike garage and maintenance available onsite, all pets are welcome and an organic natural breakfast with plenty of vegan options is offered to guests at whatever time they wish to have it.

In short, this is a truly cool and unusual hotel, with just four rooms make sure you book early to avoid disappointment! 

This is more of a hospitality concept than a hotel and it’s pretty awesome too! The Student Hotel Florence offers short-term and long-term student accommodation, overnights, and extended stays to create a community of people from all walks of life.

There are shared workspaces, lecture rooms, a massive shared kitchen, a rooftop terrace and bar, exhibition spaces, a gym, and pool, and rooms to cater to every need.

Everything is bold bright and playful, facilitating social activities and links between all guests. Not for the traveler who wants a peaceful retreat, but for the lone traveler who wants to get out and socialize or the business traveler wanting to network or just if you like bustle and color and fun… this place could be just the one for you!

Awesome retro design presides at this city centre hotel which offers you everything you need and more with its surprising decor.

Each room is a bold burst of color and geometric pattern designed by Lorenzo Castillo and there are plenty of different types of rooms too, one to suit every traveler. Located in one of the quietest parts of town it is still just a short stroll to more culture than you can shake a feather at!

Just ten minutes walk away from The Duomo, The Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio and just 5 minutes from Michelangelo’s Davide. The staff will make you feel extra welcome in traditional Florentine 

This place is geared towards a young hip crowd who enjoy laid-back travel and cool arty decor. It’s bright and colorful and full of quirky decor, it’s also very reasonable for a Florence hotel.

Traveling is made easy by the self-check system, meaning no matter what time you rock up you’ll be able to get in. It’s all very tech-savvy and Instagrammable but it’s also a good solid approach to flexible travel with a flair! 

Situated on the famous Via Tornabuoni in an elegant historic Palazzo, the location of Milu Hotel is unbeatable.

Within its 14th Century exterior lies a surprisingly modern interior featuring 22 styled-out rooms, a rooftop terrace, an amazing library, and most excitingly of all, an ever-evolving open art gallery.

The curated artworks punctuate every wall, alcove, and staircase and feature international artists working across all mediums; sculpture, Photography, Painting, and Textiles… all artworks are available for purchase by guests and visiting collectors.

Occupying a restored historic residence just a few steps from Palazzo Strozzi, Helvita&Bristol is the premier luxury hotel in the heart of Florence since 1885.

Reborn after restoration and recent expansion it now offers 25 delightful new rooms and suites conceived by Anouska Hempel. Offering chic internal courtyards and exclusive terraces it is the lap of luxury.

The hotel supports Florentine Artisans by displaying unpublished works and original designs throughout its spaces, always drawing from the environment of “Grande Bellezza”,  the eternal source of inspiration for Italian aesthetics and hospitality.

This is a 4* luxury hotel housed within a lovingly restored 16th Century Palazzo. The renovations have managed to perfectly blend original features with modern deco furnishings and contemporary artworks to create a comfortable, opulent, and impeccably florentine environment.

Added to this artistic luxury there is an unrivalled roof garden where diners can enjoy delicious southern Mediterranean food and aperitifs surrounded by 360-degree views over the city.

Guests also have the use of a tranquil plunge pool on the incredible floral patio designed by Vieri Torrigiani. The perfect romantic getaway in a city steeped in romance! 

This conveniently central hotel is situated just a stone’s throw from the railway station very close to the historic centre of the city.

The hotel is an elegant nod to the classic Florentine style with a soft color palette and green shuttered windows. Inside it is cozy and classy, vividly coloured luxury.

The communal living rooms are punctuated with thoughtful vintage memorabilia and pictures of the city around easy armchairs and comfy couches, which creates a calm and peaceful ambiance. Party animals don’t fear though, If you love a bit of nightlife this happens to be one of the liveliest areas of Florence!

Just take a short walk out the door and you will discover a street full of bustling bars, restaurants, and shops leading to the heart of town.

This is a cool modern hotel near the railway station with plenty of different room options to suit different budgets.

The decor is simple and cool, the beds are comfy and all rooms have WiFi, TV, and minibar.

There’s cool art on the walls a great breakfast and plenty of friendly staff to help you with your itinerary and make sure that you have an inspiring and comfortable stay. 

In the heart of Borgo San Frediano, surrounded by artisanal workshops and lively bars and restaurants, this beautiful hotel is located inside a 12th Century Monastery and historic girls boarding school.

The building maintains its ancient atmosphere of quiet elegance whilst giving you plenty of opportunities to relax and indulge yourself.

The hotel has wonderful sheltered gardens, and a pool around which to contemplate all the amazing art and culture you have visited.

There is a bright and beautiful breakfast room and chilled-out lounge bar as well as plenty of wonderful eating and drinking options nearby. The perfect place to breathe in the authentic artisanal culture and energy of this fabulous city.

This is one for art lovers and history buffs. In this very building, in 1913, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was discovered, having been stolen from The Louvre two years before.

As a cheeky nod to this significant event, each room in The Frame Hotel has its version of the iconic painting. There are plenty of other cool quirks in this gorgeous art nouveau building; amazing staircases, beams brickwork, and lots of artistic touches.

Breakfast is an amazing buffet of handmade and organic goods, you can also enjoy a peaceful afternoon tea or delicious local wines and charcuterie in the small onsite bar. It’s in a great location too, just steps away from Fillipo Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo. 

A modern hotel in the center of Florence, Mh is in an ideal location for both the train station and all the iconic galleries and architecture that the city has to offer.

It’s bright, airy, and comfortable and guests can enjoy all the expected amenities and a few others on the side. The breakfast spread is generous and uses all local produce and freshly baked pastries and the spa facilities are perfect for guests who need some serious R&R.

There’s a swimming pool, Kneipp Circuit, Turkish bath, and sauna as well as treatments and massages on offer. The terrace offers an amazing outdoor lounge where you can sip on a classy cocktail and enjoy a 360-degree view of the iconic Duomo.

It’s also reasonably priced compared to many Florence hotels, so good for those who want comfort and a touch of luxury on a bit of a tighter budget, 

Situated in the very centre of Florence this hotel offers refined and practical luxury and comfort to all guests.

The rooms are usually spacious and thoughtfully laid out, The whole place has a cool stripped-back industrial aesthetic, with well-chosen accessories to warm it up.

Everything you need but nothing you don’t is sort of the motto here and they have done it well. Staff are friendly, great eating options and location, and a wide selection of rooms to suit different budgets.

From minimalism to maximalism, Maison Du Sage is a flamboyant yet classic homage to the Art Deco era. Occupying a wonderful Liberty Building with views of the basilica, the decor reflects the vibrant shapes and colors of 1930s Florence.

Lots of warm tones, gold wood, and geometry, combined with natural textures and plenty of lovely personal touches, make this place a dream to stay in!

Despite the historical context all the rooms are fully equipped with mod cons and the communal spaces provide a great opportunity to meet and chat with other travellers over tea and biscuits. Honestly, if you are an Art Deco fanatic like me you don’t want to miss this little gem! 

In the heart of Florence near the San Lorenzo Central Market you’ll find the unique Glance Hotel. The building was designed in the ‘50s by renowned architect Italo Gamberini and the name refers to all the little details that make it so special.

Each floor is themed around a modern reworking of an iconic Renaissance sculpture such as Michelangelo’s David and Ammannati’s Neptune, so whilst the hotel errs on the side of contemporary it also gives a respectful nod to the city’s history and culture.

Swimmers will love the gorgeous rooftop pool with amazing views over the city. 

This is classic Italian luxury hospitality in a nutshell. A stunning hotel in a historical Villa that was previously owned by A Duchess.

The Villa is set in its immaculate grounds, awash with landscaped flower beds and trickling fountains, and positioned in the famous Piazzale Michelangelo, close to the Arcetri Observatory. Of course, the panoramic views from many of the rooms and the gardens are exceptional.

Its beautiful traditional decor and shady nooks and crannies mean guests can enjoy peace and tranquillity whilst reading a book and sipping Prosecco, it is also just a few minutes by car from the city center and well connected by public transport.