Last Updated on September 29, 2024
Historic and stylish hotel in central Florence
Hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa combines the luxury of stepping out into the very heart of the city – its sights and monuments all easily accessible – with a peaceful oasis to return to from the oft-exhausting fray that is Florence in season. From the moment the Renaissance-inspired, glass entrance doors are opened by Vincenzo, the most welcoming doorman I have ever met, you are made to feel at home and cossetted. Any hassles you may have encountered on your travels simply melt away. The hotel is located in a former palazzo and combines history with style which is about as Florentine an experience as one could hope for. Located in the oldest hotel building in Florence, Hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa provides 5-star comforts in historic surroundings.
Located on Via Porta Rossa which runs through the centre of the Centro Storico, the first stone of the original building was laid in the thirteenth century and its Medieval tower still exists and is in use today. The presidential suite with its 360 degree view of Florence is what you need to book if you would like the pleasure of staying in the Monalda tower, named after the family who owned it in the thirteenth century.
The story takes an intriguing turn in the 16th century at the beginning of the Renaissance period. Many of Florence’s wealthy families were interested in buying the Palazzo which was being sold by the Monaldis. Legend says that the night before the auction, one of the members of the Bartolini family put poppy seeds in the drinks of the competitors who were unable to attend the auction as they were soundly asleep. The Palazzo was bought for a good price by Bartolomeo Bartolini and became known as Palazzo Bartolini. This skullduggery explains the Bartolini family motto found on the window frames as one enters the hotel. ‘Per non dormire’ (not to sleep) is rather a paradoxical statement for any hotel but it makes sense if you have been the only party awake to buy a palazzo.
The Bartolini family, merchants in Florence, lived on the first two floors and rented out rooms on the upper floors to silk merchants who visited this district of the city along their travels. Thus, this building became the first hotel of Florence. The original keys of the Palazzo still hang in the entrance lobby.
The ethos of the Hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is to create a bridge between its historical past and the future, an elegance embracing the beauty and soul of the building. One of the bedrooms in the hotel still contains an original 18th-century fresco by Florentine artist, Tommaso Gheradini. In the marbled floored entrance lobby the sense of history is palpable with original signs, windows and doors all harking back to an older, elegant age of hotels before mass tourism. The stunning stained glass ceiling in the Liberty style is from the nineteenth century. The Renaissance-inspired stained glass windows are from around 1900 from the De Matteis workshop that restored a great number of public monuments in Florence. I was treated to a short talk from the very knowledgeable doorman on the history of the building which added to my appreciation and the hotel also provides a pamphlet so that guests can inform themselves if they wish.
NH Hotel Collection Firenze Porta Rossa has the finest bones and the décor – classic with modern touches – has been sensitively added to highlight the age and history of the lovely building with its prime position in central Florence. Everywhere there is dark, wooden period furniture from a bygone age so perfect for Florence where every street feels like a museum. Pops of red – the signature colour of Porta Rossa meaning red door – occur across the hotel from the armchairs and sofas to the pomegranate-shaped vases and flowers on the breakfast tables. Stained glass windows are everywhere. There is so much detail to take in that at times I just had to sit still and absorb the surroundings.
Continuing the classic meets modern blend, the hotel had creative lobbies on each landing. Large wooden armoires and other period furniture the history of which one could only guess at, were juxtaposed with pops of colour and fun. The second floor sported an enormous chess board, the pieces as large as a small child. The third floor contained huge, sculptural orange lamps that were arranged like an art installation. Throughout the hotel were oversized diffusers from Aqua Dell’Elba – handmade fragrances produced on the island of Elba in Tuscany – which has two stores in Florence. I felt I was wafting on the gorgeous, perfumed aroma wherever I went in the hotel.
Our room was large and modern with contemporary lighting, a lovely desk, an invitingly large and comfortable bed with the thickest mattress topper I’ve ever seen plus great pillows. My husband who was suffering from a very painful ear infection was particularly grateful for the pillow selection. The ceiling of our bedroom was painted in fresco style and was so pretty to look at that one was tempted to spend all day lying back and looking up. While the rooms have all mod-cons, the bones of the space are old and beautiful. The windows onto the street below gave such character to the room – very high so letting in lots of light, the wooden shutters combining old-world charm with double-glazed soundproofing. Elegant drapes fell to the floor from the high ceiling, matching the light grey walls and providing a feeling of spaciousness. Comfy armchairs in ruby red, and touches of brushed gold on lamps and curtains all added to the luxe feel of this stylish and elegant room.
The marble bathroom was luxurious and contained everything one would expect at this level – a walk-in rain shower, aromatic body products, plenty of towels, robes and slippers. The minibar was filled with Italian branded drinks and bottled water was replaced regularly – not only in the morning but also during turn down service when chocolate was left on the pillow and a pillow menu and a pillow spray provided for extra comfort.
The vaulted breakfast rooms are adorned with early 20th-century frescos. These areas are so atmospheric that I could not wait to go downstairs for breakfast. Delightful touches like mini carousels and horses added a playful touch to the breakfast buffet. Alongside the breakfast rooms was a lounge area where a large round table displayed a samovar and a selection of specialist teas and biscuits in glass jars.
The staff at breakfast remember how you take your tea in the mornings. This is a cut above and makes guests feel well looked after. The breakfast provided a generous spread for vegetarians which was important for me as the night before I had eaten an enormous Bistecca alla Fiorentina (the iconic, Florentine t-steak ) and I was in need of some veg. Being Italy, there was of course charcuterie on offer as well as bacon, eggs and sausage for those who prefer the taste of home. I selected from the fresh fruits, yoghurts and cheeses. Ricotta, provolone, and a giant wheel of Parmesan from which one could chisel as many chunks as required. I made my own salad with cherry tomatoes, marinated mushrooms and arugula. Hot dishes that I enjoyed included pappa al pomodoro served in tiny ceramic dishes and a lightly cooked vegetable dish. There was a menu with a wide selection of eggs made to order. A delicious selection of breads, flatbreads and grissini were tempting as were the muffins and cakes, Italian sandwiches and frittata, not to mention the chocolate fountain and all its accoutrements. Juices and prosecco were also on offer if you want to get the day off to a fizzy start.
We did not eat dinner in-house but you can book a table at the Porta Rossa Bistrot should you wish to sample the Tuscan and Italian specialties with a touch of Sicilian originality. There is also an inviting bar that overlooks the street with big windows perfect for people-watching.
Hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is a stone’s throw from the main square, Piazza Signoria, where you will find the Uffizi, the Palazzo Vecchio and enough restaurants, bars and nightlife to keep you busy for weeks. One evening we joined in a procession through the square for the annual lantern festival which was quite magical. It is also close to the Ponte Vecchio and access to the Oltrarno, the vibey neighbourhood south of the Arno. The Duomo and umpteen magnificent churches and museums are a walk away. It is also well located for the main railway station should you be travelling, as we were, by train.
Florence is a shopping haven with outlets of every major Italian designer all conveniently located in streets close to the hotel. The room had so much cupboard space that all your purchases from Gucci, Pucci and Dolce and Gabbana will hang beautifully until you check out.
Hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is a hotel that celebrates the history and the soul of the building within which it is housed. The staff are five-star, warm and welcoming, the rooms are very comfortable, and the breakfast is copious. The location could not be more central and conveniently situated for whatever your interests are in Florence. The ambience is relaxed and the beautiful surroundings and historic nature of the hotel provide just the right backdrop for a stay in this magical city.
Hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa.
Via Porta Rossa 19,
Florence,
Italy
