Rivoli, Florence

About Rivoli

The Hotel Rivoli, in the heart of Florence, is close to the church of Santa Maria Novella and only a 10 minute stroll from the Duomo.

The weathered façade gives a clue to the age of this 15th century hotel, once a home to Franciscan monks and then run as a convent school. Hotel Rivoli is brimming with character, and its architectural features include original wooden ceilings, beautiful archways and a 13th century fountain.

It is generally spacious, cool and decorated to a high standard, combing both modern and classical styles with an unfussy elegance. Uniquely for a city hotel, the pretty inner courtyard leads to a hot whirlpool bath surrounded by stone arches, pillars and sculptures.

A centrally located hotel with delightful accommodation, Hotel Rivoli is ideal for a short break in Florence in which to explore many of the nearby Renaissance treasures.

Accommodation:

Rooms with bath or shower, television, minibar, hairdryer and safe.

Supplements (from):

Superior Twin £11. Twin for Sole Use £28. Half Board £16 (only available Mon - Sat).

Facilities:

80 air-conditioned rooms
Breakfast room
Bar
Lounge
Garden patio
Heated outdoor whirlpool
Lift
Free use of local gym
Valet service to nearby garage (payable locally approx. 35 Euros per day)

Please Note:

Buffet breakfast.
Minimum stay 1 night (2 nights for arrivals 28 Dec-1 Jan and 21-24 Mar).

About Florence

For a tiny city-state, Florence enjoys an enormous reputation for art, scholarship, architecture and science that belies its concentrated size. Contemporary Florence spills into the lush Tuscan countryside, but the hub of its centro storico, a treasure trove of culture, stylish living and epicurean thrills, can be crossed at a leisurely pace within half an hour. The compact nature of this honey-coloured enclave lends it an intimate atmosphere, zealously preserved by a municipality that ferociously defends ancient civic liberties whose martial and banking skills not only once ruled the papacy, but also had a profound influence on shaping European culture for over five centuries.

Florence is an erudite university centre, bursting with youthful enthusiasm and a down to earth population, who rejoice in a philosophical way of life dedicated to eating, drinking and romantic pleasures. Easy if you are one of its privileged citizens to take its lofty Renaissance accomplishments for granted, but successive generations of visitors have come here to grasp its magnificence and leave with their cheeks flushed by the city's gilded beauty.

A few short steps from Santa Maria Novella railway station stands Florence's Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), Europe's fourth largest church and famed for its orange-tiled dome. The Baptistry, with its soaring Campanile designed by Giotto in 1334, traces its origins to the 4th century with its provenance inscribed on bronze doors. Meandering, cobbled lanes lead to the Piazza della Signoria and its famous Palazzo Vecchio, a monumental icon to the city founders' independent republicanism.

Close by, the Galleria degli Uffizi houses Italy's greatest collection of paintings, its magnificent interiors exhibiting priceless works including Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus', where he reveals the lithesome grace of his mistress who posed as a model for many of his presentations of pagan goddesses and saintly madonnas.

Walking through Florence, an overwhelming number of historic places reveal Michelangelo's statuary and lead curious eyes to pry at Palazzo Pitti and its Boboli Gardens graced by ornamental lakes and dominated by a hill on which Forte di Belvedere warns amorous couples against the intrusion of vengeful husbands. From Piazza della Signoria avid shoppers can discover the ancient quarter of San Lorenzo (named after The Magnificent). Here rises a 19th century palazzo built in stone, iron and glass consecrated to the Tuscan passion for food with galleries of butchers, greengrocers and pasta counters.

Huddling round this is a maze of al fresco stalls, retailing high quality leather goods and stylish apparel, and for those in search of the ultra chic, the district of Oltrarno, traditionally an artisans' quarter, has become one of the most illustrious fashion centres in the world.
Smart boutiques line its Borgo San Iacopo, whose tributary lanes are punctuated with exclusive restaurants, cosy bars and trattorie, specialising in delicious traditional Tuscan cuisine. Crossing the River Arno on the Ponte Vecchio, an ancient bridge crammed with jewellery workshops and goldsmith's shops, is a must during your stay in this Renaissance capital of Tuscany.