Review of Hotel Savoy, by Jamie Dunford Wood

The Hotel Savoy in Florence is another addition to Rocco Forte's encouraging portfolio of hotels. Being a Rocco Forte, you know what to expect: architectural integrity in the rooms, tasteful fabrics and interesting visuals on the walls. Not to mention the location: the hotel is right on the Piazza Repubblica.

Hotel Savoy is a true urban hotel. Two minutes in one direction is the Duomo, two minutes in the other the Piazza Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio. Since downtown Florence is largely pedestrianised, this is an appealing place to stay, as the sights and shops and restaurants are practically on your doorstep. Fire-eaters, Charlie Chaplin mimics, buskers and all manner of street life entertain until the early hours. Restaurant and bar service is exceptional, serving up a menu of fine Italian cuisine. Breakfast is also delightful taken on the street in fine weather so you can witness the city awakening.

The approaches to Hotel Savoy's 102 rooms along wide travertine corridors feels a bit like the Starship Enterprise. The walls, floor and ceilings are in cream, with a splash of colour here and there. The theme is all about designer shoes, since the building is owned by the famous fashion design family Ferragamo. Inside, the rooms are parquet floored with fabrics in mint greens and beige or beige and mulberry. Large fabric bedheads contain wall-mounted reading lights.

Guests are spoiled with deeply comfortable beds and classic marble and travertine bathrooms full of expensive shampoos. Deluxe rooms are a little bit bigger than the classics, but have bigger windows which make them feel lighter. The tallest ceilings and windows are to be found on the second floor, whose rooms also have little balconies. The bathrooms are mosaiced to look like Roman baths with sunken tubs and single sinks.

All in all, the tone of this luxury hotel is cool and tasteful, and in Florence, location counts for much.