Review of Four Seasons Hotel Florence, by Leo Bear

A Pope, an order of nuns and five centuries of Florentine nobility are previous residents of the Four Seasons Florence, which comprises two Renaissance palaces. Filled with history, it’s more a museum than hotel.

Tucked down a quiet street in the old town, just a stone’s throw from the Duomo, the hotel comprises a main building – a 15th-century Palazzo (80 rooms) – and a smaller building, the Conventino, which has 37 rooms, and was once a convent. Between the two lie more than 11 acres of magnificent botanical gardens, the largest private garden in Florence, perfect for escaping to with a book and relaxing in the shade of a Sequoia or Maple tree.

It took seven years and a nearly USD 100 million to convert the Palazzo into a luxurious Four Seasons hotel and no two rooms are the same. Some feature ceiling frescoes, others bas-reliefs, stuccoes and silk wallpapers, all carefully restored to vivid detail. And somehow these 15-century works-of-art sit comfortably alongside mod-cons such as plasma TVs and iPod speaker hubs.

The main restaurant, Il Palagio, is an impressive space with a vaulted ceiling and silver and jade flourishes. French windows open onto a terrace for tranquil al fresco dining overlooking the peaceful gardens that stretch as far as the eye can see. Often a pianist will play on the grass while you eat.

Chef Vito Mollica sources the finest Tuscan ingredients from small countryside producers and markets, and the tasting menu is well worth splashing out for. Order the Violet Bubble for dessert and you will be delivered a specimen so splendid you’ll want to hang it on a gold chain and wear it round your neck. Crack open the sugar-coated orb though and you’ll discover a heavenly mix of Chantilly cream and crème de cassis ice cream – pure food art. At Il Palagio, there is also a choice of more than 50 top-label wines by the glass.

The Spa at the Four Seasons Florence is definitely worth a visit too, even if it’s just for a pedicure. Ten treatment rooms epitomise chic simplicity with their white marble floors, muslin curtains and candles giving off the scent of white Irises. You’ll be so drawn in by the beauty of the place, you many decide to avoid the hubbub of Florence’s busy streets altogether.

Other facilities include an outdoor pool (unheated), a hair and beauty salon and a gym.