Best New Italian Hotels Of 2022: IL Tornabuoni

30/04/2022, FORBES

Alexandra Kirkman

11:52am

As the Italian government prepares to drop almost all Covid restrictions by mid-June in a bid to lure back tourists and boost the economy, one of Florence’s splashiest new hotels is gearing up for a busy summer.

IL Tornabuoni, which debuted last November, is betting on its prime location, singular design, and slew of amenities to attract discerning guests in the perennially popular fcity, which welcomed more than 15 million visitors in 2019

An ornately frescoed suite in IL Tornabuoni, one of Florence's latest hotel openings.

IL Tornabuoni, which debuted in the heart of Florence last November, offers a unique value.

Located along Via Tornabuoni in the historic 12th-century Palazzo Minerbetti, the hotel boasts 62 refined rooms and suites, just steps from the historic Ponte Vecchio and Arno River. Long considered one of Florence’s finest palazzos, its rarefied guest list over the fcenturies includes the prolific novelist Henry James in 1869.

The hotel’s latest incarnation sees it thoughtfully reimagined with avant-garde interiors that imbue the building’s dazzling old-world charm with an exuberant modern sensibility, arguably best embodied by its inspired color palette. Each of the hotel’s five floors offers a distinct color scheme—incorporating vibrant teals, deep blues, sunny yellows, vivid vermillion and soft grays—that pay homage to the Renaissance and the city’s unrivaled artistic heritage. Custom-designed wallpapers and lush silks, velvets, and wools up the luxe quotient, while a few suites boast breathtaking restored frescoes that immerse guests in Italy’s inimitable aesthetic gifts.

A vibrant pink-and-blue suite features luxurious furnishings and unique accents. 

The hotel's vibrant color palette and luxurious furnishings pay homage to the Italian Renaissance.

Most rooms and suites feature two double beds—a relative rarity in European hotel rooms—along with lavish, oversize bathrooms. Many offer stunning views of some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Duomo’s famous Cupola del Brunelleschi and Giotto Bell Tower, the façade of the Church of Santa Maria Novella, and the enchanting panorama of Villa Bardini in the Bardini Gardens, to name a few. 

Italy’s towering culinary tradition takes center stage at the property, where five F&B venues spoil guests for choice. On the ground floor, IL Magnifico Restaurant serves ambitious Italian cuisine like spaghetti di Gragnano with tuna, cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers in a unique, greenery-wrapped setting, while the neighboring IL Magnifico Café is a prime spot for a frothy cappuccino or an Aperol spritz. Deep within the hotel’s heart, La Cave pairs a vast selection of renowned Italian, French, and other international vintages with a thoughtfully crafted menu of regional cheese and charcuterie, and makes a prime multi-functional space for private parties and corporate events.

The pink-and-blue Lucie Gourmet offers intimate dining in a glamorous setting. 

Lucie Gourmet, the hotel's intimate rooftop eatery, will open to the public this summer. 

Having opened on April 1, the hotel’s chic rooftop Butterfly Terrace treats guests to achingly picturesque vistas of the Florentine skyline, as well as signature cocktails and shareable nibbles under the stars. Just steps away, Lucie Gourmet, a glamorous, pinkand-peacock jewel box of a restaurant, currently hosts intimate soirées before its official public debut this summer.

The hotel’s unbeatable location means world-class attractions like the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Strozzi, and the Galleria dell’Accademia are just steps away. The concierge team can also arrange day trips to other Tuscan gems like Lucca, Siena, and San Gimignano.

The opening of IL Tornabuoni, owned by AG Group, marks the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand—known for its independent, one-of-a-kind hotels that offer bespoke, inspiring experiences—in Italy. The new franchise partnership allows AG Group to leverage Hyatt's global distribution network and award-winning World of Hyatt loyalty program for guests, while maintaining the hotel’s rarefied individuality— establishing it as a standalone property in Florence.