Florence, ItalySanta Maria Novella
The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence
Riverside Bonaparte palazzo
Santa Maria Novella Florence, Italy
Renovated
2025
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Heritage Design LuxeOutside the door
The house
MarriottRiverside Bonaparte palazzo
The palazzo operates as a classic Florentine grand hotel, with stately public salons below and rooftop tables over the river.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Caroline Bonaparte's 1830s riverside palazzo, later transformed into a storied Grand Tour address.
Notable
Studio Moinard Bétaille appointed guestrooms with carved headboards and antique-style furnishings.
Notable
Florence's definitive riverside grand hotel, hosting heads of state along the Arno since 1927.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
this is the definitive downtown Florence grand hotel, a century-old palace on the banks of the Arno, the sort of place where the Presidential Suite is used by actual presidents.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Piazza Ognissanti sits quietly on the riverbank, a ten-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi.
The rooms
Chandeliers and carved headboards furnish the bedrooms. River-facing rooms look straight out across the water to the Oltrarno.
The gym
The gym stays open around the clock, equipped with Technogym cardio machines and a Kinesis Personal Vision station.
Cosimo Rooftop Restaurant
Martin Brudnizki designed the rooftop restaurant and terrace, where Florentine steaks are carved tableside over views toward the Duomo.
At the table
Breakfast is served beneath a painted coffered ceiling and stained-glass windows, with tables set among classical oil paintings.
How it began
Swiss hotelier Gérard Kraft created the modern hotel in 1927 by merging two neighboring Grand Tour inns behind the facade.
Florence
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The app
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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.