Florence, ItalySanta Croce
Hotel Regency
Nineteenth-century Florentine villa
Santa Croce Florence, Italy
Renovated
2014
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe HeritageOutside the door
Nineteenth-century Florentine villa
With just thirty-one rooms, the villa runs like a private townhouse centered on a shaded courtyard garden.
What it’s good at
Notable
Saturated silk wall coverings and high contrast refresh the nineteenth-century carved boiserie.
Notable
The Ottaviani family has welcomed guests personally to their quiet residence since 1960.
Listed
An 1866 villa designed by Henry Kleffler preserves original 1932 stained-glass windows.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Very little that would have looked out of place in the 19th century… saturated colors and high contrast impart a liveliness to the look, however traditional it may be.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Piazza Massimo d'Azeglio borders residential Sant'Ambrogio, a calm walk from the Duomo and the city center.
The rooms
Rooms carry dark carved boiserie and rich silk wall coverings, with windows looking over the green piazza or garden.
Restaurant
Relais Le Jardin
Chef Claudio Lopopolo serves Tuscan tasting menus in the veranda room, where red velvet chairs face the garden.
At the table
Breakfast and evening drinks are served outside around the tiered stone fountain, shaded by citrus trees.
How it began
Banker James Servadio joined two private villas into one unified residence in 1866, when Florence served as Italy's capital.
Florence
More like this
Collegio alla Querce
“Hillside cloister haven”
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
“Renaissance garden residence”
Palazzo Portinari Salviati
“Restored Renaissance residence”
Palazzo Vecchietti
“Florentine noble redoubt”
The James Suite Hotel 1564 Firenze
“Renaissance curio retreat”
Hotel Brunelleschi
“Byzantine tower hideaway”
Hotel Lungarno
“Riverside art curio”
Hotel Savoy
“Florentine fashion haven”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.