A symbol of history, art and architecture, Palazzo Portinari Salviati is proof that the world’s most enthralling hotels have stood the test of time.
If only walls could talk. With its magical frescoes, decorated ceilings and eclectic fanbase, Florence’s storied Palazzo Portinari Salviati has a colourful past. Built by the Portinari family and acquired by Jacopo Salviati, husband of Lucrezia de’ Medici, in 1456, it was also once the beloved 15th-century home of Beatrice Portinari, Italian poet Dante’s true love.
Today, following an extensive renovation in 2022 by the Milan-based studio Spagnulo & Partners, it once more captures the romance of that time, with its Renaissance-era aesthetics paying tribute to the extraordinary lives of the princes, muses, poets and other notable characters who both lived here and visited.
This intimate palace hotel—which joined The Leading Hotels of the World family in 2024—is home to just 14 elegant suites, all boasting frescoes dating back to the 1700s. In fact, the master restorers of Faberestauro conserved all the frescoes and exceptional works of art inside the Palazzo, including frescoes made by Alessandro Allori and his team in the Emperor’s Courtyard and Salviati Chapel. Guests can also expect fine period pieces, fireplaces in pietra serena, high coffered ceilings and ensuite marble bathrooms.
As to be expected from such an Italian institution, the cuisine here is superior, with the Michelin-starred Atto di Vito Mollica set in the awe-inspiring Emperors’ Court. Inspired by the flavours of Tuscany and Italian traditions, chef Vito serves up the likes of homemade breads, fresh pasta and seafood amid the ceiling adornments made by Allori and his helpers in 1575-1576 (these depict stories of the Ulysses and Hercules— while the extraordinary frieze of the Batrachomyomachia shows the battle between frogs and mice narrated in a poem attributed to Homer). Opt for a tasting menu with wine pairing for samples of the chef’s talent.
Guests are centrally placed for all of Florence’s major drawcards.
Another highlight is the lavish Vita Nova SPA, which makes for a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Florence. Tucked away in the basement, not only is it a true piece of history—with its original vaults and built-in fountains where guests can admire a portion of an ancient Roman walkway and walls—it also specialises in an array of global wellness practices including massages, facials, a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath and hydromassage.
Culture, art, great food and a prime location (Palazzo Portinari Salviati is just steps from Florence’s iconic medieval cathedral, the Duomo), you’ll struggle to find a better place to bed down in one of Italy’s most romantic cities.
