Hotel Club ★★★★

In his classic romance, A Room With A View, author E.M. Forster once wrote, “It was pleasant to wake up in Florence, to open the eyes upon a bright bare room.” From my sumptuous bed in the Club Hotel Florence, I had to agree with him. Nestled cosily in the excellent linens, and careful not to wake my dozing partner next to me, I dreamily reminisced about our spontaneous few days in Florence...

Tired-eyed and crumpled-clothed from travelling, arriving at the Hotel Club was like returning home after a long absence: with deep wing-backed chairs in front of a fire, and framed photos of iconic Italian scenes on the walls, the hotel lobby feels more like a stylish private apartment than a fleeting rest-stop. The affable welcome from our hosts helped to make us right at home, and we checked into our room without any hassle.

The room itself is minimal but chic: dark woods and dove-grey hues in the bedroom create a cool, calming atmosphere after a day on the swarming streets of Florence. No superfluous decoration here, but modern amenities abound. My partner was relieved to find WiFi, and I was happy to discover the complimentary bathroom goodies were ecologically friendly. The bathrooms are dark and glamorous, with sleek black tiles and an enormous ornate mirror, as well as a (pretty decent) hairdryer. After a refreshing shower and hastily unpacking our cases, we ventured out into the sun-kissed streets in search of a light lunch.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to walk far: the Pescheria San Pietro is just around the corner. Passers-by gaze into the large, open kitchen and watch talented chefs prepare homemade pasta in front of the window. A charming space with mismatched chairs and smiling staff, the Pescheria San Pietro dismissed all of our reservations about a fish restaurant in a central city. My trilogy of fish tartares was fresh and full-flavoured, and my partner’s selection of fried calamari, prawns and sardines was both wholesome and wickedly indulgent. Our light lunch easily lengthened to a late lunch, and after finishing the last of a crisp white wine and sharing a tiramisu, we wandered to Santa Maria Novella, where we admired its exquisite Renaissance façade and interior frescoes for some time.

Just a short walk from the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery, the Hotel Club is superbly located for tourists and visitors to the city. That said, its convenient links to train, bus and tram services, as well as its friendly and professional atmosphere make it a stylish destination for business travellers too. Though the Club Hotel Florence is undoubtedly best explored on foot, the Club Hotel boasts private parking, so rent a cinquecento and explore the rustic and charming nearby countryside...

“Breakfast?” My messy-haired partner interrupted my daydream, reaching for the phone. Within minutes we were enjoying warm pastries and fresh fruit in the comfort of our little nest. Happy and replete, we dressed and headed out, excited at the prospect of another day’s exploring the Tuscan capital.

Forster also wrote, “One doesn’t come to Italy for niceness; [...] one comes for life.” Though he was certainly correct about the vibrancy of Florentine culture which remains apparent today, Forster’s Italy has changed: one can certainly come to Italy for “niceness” now, as the Club Hotel Florence elegantly demonstrates.