- Renovated 19th century palace hotel in the historic centre of Florence
- Unparalleled service in a luxurious setting
- A stone’s throw from Via de' Tornabuoni and Palazzo Strozzi
Helvetia & Bristol is a 19th century palazzo that has been lovingly restored into a five star hotel. Located in the heart of Florence’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’re among many of the city’s architectural and artistic treasures. You’re just a short walk from Via de' Tornabuoni, Florence’s premier street for designer boutiques and exclusive experiences, and the palatial monument and art museum of Palazzo Strozzi.
Helvetia & Bristol evokes grandeur and the heady atmosphere of the Renaissance era, with fine Italian fabrics, domed ceilings, and delicate antiques featuring throughout this magnificent palace. Helvetia & Bristol is part of the Leading Hotels of the World. Due to its finery, the hotel has been the destination of choice for many of Italy’s illustrious names.
Relax at Il Baretto del Bristol, a delightful cafe bar that offers cappuccinos and pastries by day and gratifying aperitifs by night.
Feast on fine Italian cuisine at the hotel’s cosy Bristol Winter Garden restaurant. Sophistication oozes from all angles, from the Liberty-style glass ceiling and the Belle Époque-style wallpaper to the decadent Tuscan dishes.
There are 29 rooms and 35 suites where you can breathe in opulent Florentine culture, all boasting plush bed linens and large antique mirrors.
The rooms offer a luxurious slumber during your holiday in Florence, featuring a pillow menu, luxury toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, an Illy espresso machine, a GHD hairdryer, flatscreen TV, a personal safe, and a minibar. Complimentary WIFI is also included.
The attentive service at Helvetia & Bristol ensures your every need is met, with 24 hour room service, a turndown service, and a shoe shine service upon request. You can also arrange a private car and driver and babysitting services.
Your holiday in Florence is best enjoyed with a stay at Helvetia & Bristol.
Facilities
Bars & Restaurants
Bristol Winter Garden
The gourmet restaurant is located inside the evocative Winter Garden, covered by a Liberty-style glass ceiling. The mirrored screens bestow intimacy to the setting. Chef Pasqaule D'Ambrosio delights guests with exquisite and inventive Michelin standard food.
Il Baretto del Bristol
The new café offers for breakfast a selection of croissants with classic and signature fillings, accompanied by coffees and cappuccinos, while during the day guests can enjoy a quick lunch, an aperitif or a tasty dinner.
ll Baretto opens onto a welcoming terrace, the ideal setting for a relaxing break overlooking Palazzo Strozzi.
An open air lounge where the summer evenings will be accompanied by lounge music.
About the location
Florence is a cultural and historic city, nestled in the charming verdant hills of Tuscany, Italy. With its intimate and relatively small size for a city, Florence shares a romantic aura, with its cobbled streets, quaint balconies and shuttered windows. As you roam the city you will come across some remarkable sights, from the many museums and galleries to the elevated passages of Vasari Corridor and the delightfully Mediterranean Giardino di Boboli.
There are hidden treasures to be found here, from the fine dining riverside restaurants by Arno River and the dreamy rooftop bars, to the yesteryear ambiance of Piazza della Passera.
South of Arno River,you’ll be taken back in time as you absorb the secluded roads with a stroll up Bellosguardo Hill. The views over Florence with its terracotta roofs and light streaming through the trees at sunset is magical.
During your holiday in Florence, stay at the Helvetia & Bristol, a magnificent 19th century palazzo located in the heart of the city’s historical centre.
20 Minutes from Florence Airport
The hotel is 20 minutes from Florence airport. No transfers included. To add transfers or book car hire, simply call us once you’ve completed your booking and we will talk you through the options.
Superior Double
Max 2 adults
Tastefully designed with a contemporary-classic style in mind, an expression of craftsmanship and elegance.
Each room features priceless antique furniture, Murano-glass chandeliers and large, comfortable beds with silk headboards and soft, customized percale sheets.
The oak floors and the bathroom, decorated in Italian marble, bestow the room with a refined and intimate atmosphere.
20 m²
Deluxe Double Room
Max 3 adults
Warm and elegant Deluxe rooms boast Italian oak floors bevelled by hand, magnificent antique furniture and bathrooms decorated in three-toned Italian marble.
The furnishings and exquisite bar cabinets complement the elegant surroundings.
Murano-glass chandeliers emphasize the timeless elegance of these spacious rooms.
32 m²
Junior Suite
Max 3 adults
In Junior Suites the elegant atmosphere of historic Florentine buildings blends with discreet and refined luxury.
They feature a comfortable corner lounge with a sofa, a bedroom with a queen-size canopied bed and a spacious bathroom decorated in two-toned marble.
Oak floor, refined antique furniture and large mirrors adorning the walls embellished these elegant rooms.
45 m²
Suite
Max 4 adults
Furnished with priceless and unique pieces, suites boast two large spaces: a sitting room with exquisite velvet sofas and a bedroom with a majestic queen-size bed crafted by Florentine artisans.
Silk damask fabrics and silk taffeta curtains complement the finely restored period furniture.
The brass and crystal lamps, the antique mirrors on the walls and the bathrooms decorated in resplendent Italian marble all highlight the beauty of the rooms.
50 m²
Based on 7493 traveller reviews
90% of travellers recommended this hotel
Travellers Ratings
Excellent
5377
Very Good
1441
Average
428
Poor
153
Terrible
94
Reviews
“ Impeccable service, prompt replies to queries
sungal1231,
Nov 23 2020
A 2d1n stay in the Marina Bay view room. Id like to specially commend the staff from Room Service, Jack, who dedicated his time and effort to set up the in-room dining table and food. It was such a...
A 2d1n stay in the Marina Bay view room. Id like to specially commend the staff from Room Service, Jack, who dedicated his time and effort to set up the in-room dining table and food. It was such a lovely surprise for my partner! Jack was so sweet and thoughtful to check in with us post-dinner, with a smile on his face despite being so late in the evening.
MO guest relations team has also been so patient to answer all my queries via email since I was planning this stay as a surprise for my partner. Everything went far better than I had expected. Thank you!
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“ Housekeeping not done
sherry136,
Nov 22 2020
Everything was good, except the housekeeping did not do their job. After a long day out, we came back in the evening and expected clean sheets and towels when returned to our room. Shockingly it was...
Everything was good, except the housekeeping did not do their job. After a long day out, we came back in the evening and expected clean sheets and towels when returned to our room. Shockingly it was still in a mess.
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“ Warm Hospitality
pinkmer406, Singapore, Singapore
Nov 22 2020
Kudos to Mandarin Oriental for their v polite and well-mannered staff who were excellent in their service from check-in. Thank you to reception crew, Jessica,
who was engaging with us and friendly...
Kudos to Mandarin Oriental for their v polite and well-mannered staff who were excellent in their service from check-in. Thank you to reception crew, Jessica,
who was engaging with us and friendly while doing our arrangement of room.
It was pleasant to have had the hotel decorated with balloons for my bf???s birthday and to celebrate our anniversary as well. The hotel even prepared cakes that were sent up to the room right after checking in. The view of marina bay was perfect as well with the strategic location.
Room was comfortable and clean, just that we would have preferred firmer pillows as they were too soft. Nonetheless, we had a good night???s rest and we sincerely appreciated the late check out time under ???fans of MO???.
One thing we took note was that the Hotel corridors were abit stuffy with not much air con in the later part of the night. The atrium of the hotel could also be lighted up better to create a more warm atmosphere and ambience for the guests as the Morton???s bar restaurant at the fourth level was closed during this period.
Breakfast at melt cafe was good, the portions were big and food is delectable as well and prompt service as well.
Hopefully, the hotel can have a mini revamp soon on the interiors and exteriors. Overall, we still enjoyed the good service by the staff and the experience ;) Thank you Mandarin Oriental!
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“ Great stay
GeraldineHuang, Singapore, Singapore
Nov 21 2020
We did a staycation to celebrate our wedding anniversary and the stay is good. The guest officer escorted us up to our room at check-in and our room was already nicely decorated with balloons and a...
We did a staycation to celebrate our wedding anniversary and the stay is good. The guest officer escorted us up to our room at check-in and our room was already nicely decorated with balloons and a complimentary cake. She offered to help us take a photo & then gave us a nice printed copy with a card later.
The service at dinner and breakfast was great too.
While the room might not be new, it???s clean and the view definitely make up for it.
Staff who deserve special mention are Izni and Vincent. Thanks for making this staycation a very pleasant and memorable one.
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“ Welcome to 1987!
VincentRicci, Tokyo, Japan
Nov 21 2020
There are so many things that I did not appreciate during my stay at this hotel.
Let's start with the bedroom itself. I chose a suite with a living room. The bedroom has two single beds. I had never...
There are so many things that I did not appreciate during my stay at this hotel.
Let's start with the bedroom itself. I chose a suite with a living room. The bedroom has two single beds. I had never seen such small, uncomfortable beds with rough sheets. The rollaway bed for my 4 year old daughter was wider. The bathroom is dated with a very small tub. As for the toilet cabinet, it is big but completely empty and covered with plaster on the walls. Another thing that I disliked, the lightings, It is not possible to turn off some lamps. In the living room, there is only one master button to turn everything on or off. So at night you only have two options, watch TV blinded by all the lights or in complete darkness.
In terms of service, the staff is very nice and welcoming, nothing to say on that side. Housekeeping was very superficial though. I found some food on the floor near the sofa. Also, after drinking the tea kindly prepared for my arrival, the teapot and its glasses remained dirty throughout my stay...
Now let's talk about in-room dining. At this price, it's theft. The continental breakfast was horrible with stale pastries, a $1 yogurt you can buy in your local supermarket and a simple orange juice. The salads we ordered in the evening were no better.
If you come to the hotel with your car, note that there is no elevator leading from the car park to the hotel. You will therefore have to carry your luggage up the stairs...
The hotel has nothing to do with today's 5-star standards. We are in 2020 folks! It is light years away from the luxury of the Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo, for example.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other hotels in Singapore, because I will not be staying at the Mandarin Oriental again.
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