Hotel Regency Florence

The Hotel Regency exudes an ambience reminiscent of the enchanting Regency Era, when Florentine aristocrats were enamored of art, creativity, the written word, and an invigorating, lively life spent in good company.

Originally an exceptional Florentine villa overlooking a prestigious square and a ten minutes walk to the Duomo, the home has been painstakingly restored in order to re-open as a five star boutique hotel.

Each room is filled with history and dressed with elegant, sophisticated designs and deep hues. Our guests are able to feel at home at the Regency Firenze, where their needs are anticipated with discreet, personalized attention. Regency Firenze is a haven of sheer perfection at the heart of one of the most astounding cities in the world.

Carefully and lovingly restored to reveal its original splendor, Regency Firenze is decorated in a ‘classic Florentine’ style to recreate the atmosphere of the Regency period. Gracious sitting areas, floor length curtains, hand-painted windows, Renaissance paintings, and elegant, carefully chosen furniture give an aura of a timeless Florentine villa.

THE HISTORY
When Florence was the capital of Italy, Piazza d’Azeglio was the prestigious neighborhood where high-powered ministries lived. These senior officials of the state built sumptuous villas, two of which now house the Regency Firenze.

Built in the second half of the 19th century in the style of Neoquattrocentesco and commissioned by the banker James Servadio, the architect Henry Kleffer combined two homes with a modern approach.

Revered interior designer Tito Chino decorated the villa in 1932. The Art Nouveau style has been meticulously maintained, and today guests can appreciate Kleffer’s stained glass windows and the ceiling details in the dining room.

In 1960, the current owner converted the exceptional home into a luxury hotel. For over 50 years, the family has been welcoming visitors to the enchanting city of Florence.

ROOMS & SUITES
Each of the 31 exquisitely furnished rooms and suites reflect the elegance and style of the Regency period, the distinguished and unique design of the home, and the welcoming atmosphere of a charming Florentine villa. Turn back the clock to a time when intricate tapestries and graceful draperies adorned the rooms of the eminent citizens of Florence.

Outside, Florence’s gems and fascinating streets await, inside is a timeless capsule of history and grace. Each room has a distinctive design and offers the discerning traveler every modern amenity and comfort. All rooms and suites of the Hotel Regency are non-smoking.

PENTHOUSE SUITE
Spacious and refined attic, totally renovated, in the Hotel’s historical villa, for those who are looking for the best. The Penthouse Suite measures 90 sqm (970 sqft), can accommodate up to 6 guests and is located at the second and last floor of the annex villa, whitout lift since it is an historical building, and overlooks the hotel’s Urban Garden.

It is composed by two bedrooms, one with a king size or twin beds and the second one with a queen size bed, separated living room with a double sofa bed and three bathrooms in fine marble, two with bathtub and one with shower, enriched with luxury toiletries. It also features coffee and tea facilities and a Nespresso coffee machine.

FAMILY SUITE
The ideal solution for an elegant stay in Florence with your family. The Family room overlooks the hotel’s Urban Garden or the park of Piazza D’Azeglio and with its size of approximately 55/60 sqm (around 590/sqft) it can accommodate up to 5 guests.

Finely decorated with valuable furniture, it is composed by two adjoining rooms, each of them with bathroom in fine marble, enriched by luxury toiletries. This room also features coffee and tea facilities and a Nespresso coffee machine and a welcome kit for kids.

GARDEN SUITE
The uniqueness of the private small garden where you can reactivate your senses. The Garden Suite measures 50 sqm (535 sqft) and is located in the hotel’s internal Urban Garden. It features a king size bed or two twin beds and it is decorated with valuable furniture.

The room is completed by a living area with small table and armchairs, coffee and tea facilities and a Nespresso coffee machine. The en-suite design bathroom is enriched by prestigious luxury toiletries. This Garden Suite has a private furnished small garden.

DELUXE ROOM
Comfort and luxury in pure Florentine style. The Deluxe rooms are finely decorated with valuable furniture and benefit of a view over the park of Piazza D’Azeglio or the hotel’s internal Urban Garden.

They measure approximately 28 sqm (300 sqft) and have a queen size bed for a maximum occupancy of 2 guests. The rooms are enhanced by bathrooms in fine marble with bathtub, some of them with separate shower and a prestigious luxury toiletries.

RESTAURANT RELAIS LE JARDIN 
The genius of Tuscan cooking is in its simplicity. At Regency Firenze, we invite you to taste the flavors of our land: homemade pastas, truffles, porcini mushrooms, Florentine-style prime rib, the most flavorful olive oil you have ever had… the list of Tuscan specialties is endless. Relais Le Jardin is one of the city’s finest restaurants. It is open every day for lunch and dinner.

THE BREAKFAST
The Hotel Regency treats guests to a buffet breakfast every morning between 7:30 and 10:30. Begin your day with the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from our ovens, as well as homemade croissants, gourmet preserves, organic cereals, wholesome yoghurt, fresh seasonal fruit, and eggs prepared according to your personal preference.

The meal is accompanied by freshly squeezed Sicilian orange, grapefruit and tangerine (seasonal) juice and exquisite Italian coffees: creamy cappuccino, espresso and more.

LUNCH & DINNER
Savour exquisite gourmet dishes, beautifully presented on tables dressed in thick linen at Relais Le Jardin restaurant. In the Zodiaco Room grand mirrors reflect evocative candlelight whilst the boiserie and hand-painted glass echo a history of tips and tales and a passion for serving fine food in a room that feels like home.

The Veranda is a natural extension of the dining room with windows onto the private, interior garden. In the nice weather, guests can enjoy meals on the garden’s patio. Our Executive Chef Claudio Lopopolo exudes passion, creativity, and refinement with dishes that speak of Tuscany’s bountiful specialties, yet approached through a contemporary lens.

Ingredients are sourced directly from the best local markets, and as such, the menu is decided according to the ingredients that are at the height of their season. The fresh flavours of each dish are expertly matched with rare wines personally selected by our sommelier.

The à la carte Menu will be available for dinner at Relais le Jardin Restaurant from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. For lunch and on Sunday and Monday the Bistrot Menù will be available.

THE MENU
The kitchen is an integral part of the hearts and minds of Italian families. At the Hotel Regency we consider our guests part of our family; you will come to realize the importance that we place on the dining experience and the joy to be felt when you sit down with your friends and family at the table.

You will receive only the highest quality ingredients handpicked at the markets and from our local purveyors. As Luciano Pavarotti eloquently said; “One of the best things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”

Thank to our Executive Chef Claudio Lopopolo and the culinary team’s commitment to fresh and seasonal ingredients a meal at the Regency is guaranteed to live on in your memory as an elegant, satisfying, joyful occasion. The à la carte Menu as served for dinner at Relais le Jardin Gourmet Restaurant from Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m.

THE WINE CELLAR
The Regency Cellar is stocked with a wide assortment of revered wines. Our expert sommelier presents diners with a selection of labels originating from the most famous Italian and foreign wine regions as well as gems from small local wineries.

IL SALOTTO LOUNGE BAR 
A true expression of luxurious elegance, the Il Salotto Lounge Bar welcomes connoisseurs of gracious living. The space is designed to reflect the distinguished history of the Regency Period, whilst offering both the privacy and comforts of a home away from home. In Italy, the bar is one thousand things at once: it is a café that welcomes the entire community to come together throughout the day.

In the morning, the bar is where we greet one another and enjoy our espresso or cappuccino. In the afternoon, we might indulge in a hot chocolate or a cup of tea. In the evening, the bar is where we join each other to toast the evening with an aperitif.

THE URBAN GARDEN
Tuscany offers an intoxicating mix of beauty, culture, gastronomy, and history. Vineyards and olive groves merge into gardens, and the architecture takes its style from that of the land.

Early Renaissance villas and gardens were designed as retreats from bustling city life. It can be said that history was made in amongst these spectacular properties and acres upon acres of verdant land. Today, the Renaissance garden unites natural and historical beauty in an accessible Utopia.

The Hotel Regency maintains the best of both worlds: a feeling of a Tuscan oasis hidden in the heart of the city center. The hotel’s unique atmosphere and its idyllic, private courtyard offer the perfect location for an exclusive candlelight dinner or breakfast under the Tuscan sun.

EVENTS
The graceful interior and the property’s private, outdoor garden make for the ideal location for small and events and an aura of exclusive luxury. Our team can help organize an aperitif, gala dinner, product launch, small conference, or a festive event of your choosing.

Our chef can prepare a personalized menu, and we can design the aesthetics to your liking. Our staff’s attention to detail and outstanding hospitality will create a truly memorable event.

FLORENCE
Florence, universally recognized as the “Craddle of the Renaissance”, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. It has been regarded as an unsurpassed destination for culture, universities, commercial businesses, economic foundation, and financial activity since the Middle Ages.

The city was the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany from 1569 to 1859, and from 1865 to 1871 it was the capital of Italy after the unification of the country.

With its magnificent churches, museums, gardens, ancient architecture, cobblestone streets, and beautiful piazzas of the historic center, as well as the surrounding hills, Florence is considered a museum in itself, where every corner of the city has beauty to offer its visitors from all over the globe.

Regency Firenze is located in one of the most charming and elegant historic zones of the city center alongside storied mansions built by aristocrats in the second half of the 19th century.

The property is a prelude to the all of the beauty that the city has to offer: endless art, Renaissance gems, astounding architecture, soaring churches, magnificent cloisters, and some of the most admired museums in the world are all within walking distance.

GUIDE OF FLORENCE
To speak of Florence is to speak of more than 4000 years of history. Through the centuries, Florence has built layer upon layer of art, culture, science, and technology, contributing to the world an incomparable collection of masterpieces.

Other nations and cities looked to Florence as an exemplary city, and it continues to be a center of creation, creativity, and love. There is something for everyone in Florence and its environs, and because the city center is so compact, one cannot take two steps without marveling.

With its elegant, individual stores, artisan shops, traditional trattorias and sophisticated restaurants, a thriving café culture, endless art and architecture, and exquisite wine and olive oil, Florence has it all.

Situated at the foot of Tuscany’s verdant hills, Florence boasts breathless views from all corners of its city center. A favorite spot for both visitors and Florentines alike is at the foot of the San Miniato church overlooking the entire expanse of the city: the magnificent Duomo, the ochre buildings and orange rooftops, the Arno flowing through, and the green treetops wrapping the city like a soft hug. It is here, among other spectacular viewpoints, one feels a unique state of presence.

The natural harmony between nature and Firenze’s perfectly maintained city center makes one appreciate both worlds: the land that provides so much, from its produce to its inspiring beauty, and the culture of a city whose people are so well-versed with its history, so inherently humble and proud of the place that they call home.

Let us leave behind the tourist guides and the major ‘highlights’ of the city for a moment in favor of an authentic Florence amongst the statues, seen through the quotidian actions of the Florentines.

Take, for example, the neighborhoods of San Frediano and Santo Spirito, where small craftsmen maintain the tradition of their ancestors before them, creating by hand, one by one. Small tailor shops are scattered throughout the center and still stitch each piece by hand.

Every Florentine has his or her trusted tailor who fits them for bespoke suits and wardrobes each season. In the narrow, cobble stoned streets of Borgo San Frediano, carpenters have been building furniture for centuries that withstand the test of time.

Traditions are passed from generation to generation in the kitchen as well. Families return to the same vendors at their local market, and many still have a greengrocer who descends on the city from nearby areas like Casentino or dell’Abetone to deliver fresh, Tuscan produce.

A few of our favorite markets are the nearby Sant’Ambrogio, frequented mostly by Florentines, and the recently revamped Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo district, where a modern second floor has been added with tempting offerings such as fresh mozzarella, homemade pastas, lampredotto. Rest your feet with the market’s ample seating, and soak in the sounds and scents of the mercato while you enjoy your panino.

Although it is compact, central Florence has a few splendid residential neighborhoods. The roads built by Poggi, the great architect of the city, today houses the most beautiful residences.

Another handsome neighborhood is found around the green trees of Piazzale Michelangelo and the avenues that climb the hills above the city center. Both of these residential areas are perfect for jogging and long walks, and you will certainly find a chic Florentine or two doing the same.

Florence is of course a treasure chest of spectacular sights, but there is so much to discover and experience in its people and traditions. The Florentines are happy to share with you their cultural heritage, and by chatting with the local Florentines, you will learn a completely different perspective than that found in guidebooks.

After just a few moments in Florence, you will understand why the historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage area. The city boasts numerous museums, and it can be a welcomed challenge to decide which are your priorities and which will wait for your next trip.

The Uffizi Gallery is home to some of the greatest masterpieces by humankind with works spanning from the 12th to the 18th century. The Accademia Gallery was the first school in Europe to organize instruction for drawing, painting, and sculpture.

Today it is the home of Michelangelo’s David, and it also hosts many exhibitions of great interest throughout the year. In addition to the world’s most famous museums, there are historic buildings, notable collections, and splendid architectural gems worth visiting.

The cultural heritage of Florence is equally represented in lesser-known museums that feature impressive artistic talents. Step inside the perfectly maintained Renaissance ‘palazzino’ (small townhouse) at Museo Horne on Via de’Benci, where you will be transported to the 15th century.

As you pass through its grand apartments and its top floor kitchen complete with the final owners’ collection of Renaissance pots and cooking utensils, you can envision scenes of everyday life at the height of the Renaissance.

A few steps away is the Bargello Museum on Via del Proconsolo. Built in 1255 as the Town Hall, it is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Now it houses a superlative collection of Renaissance sculpture by some of the most renowned artists of the period, from Michelangelo to Ammannati. If you are fond of contemporary art, you can visit the museum of 900’ in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, where you will find many exhibitions in rotation.

When you find yourself needing a break from the center and seek a bit of fresh, Tuscan air, take a walk towards Villa Bardini on Via Costa San Giorgio. Set on a hill overlooking the Arno, a 17th century villa comprised of 4 floors houses 2 exceptional museums.

Stefano Bardini was a famous art collector with exquisite taste; the building is in itself a marvel, with pieces of its moldings reclaimed from old churches and villas. At Villa Bardini, you will see sculptures, paintings, ceramics and more.

After you pass through this exceptional piece of Florentine history, take the time to enjoy the Bardini gardens, often overlooked in favor of Boboli, but equally special and beloved by the Florentines.

In medieval times, it was ordered that no house or tower was to supersede the Palazzo Vecchio. As it remains today, the skyline is full of color and poetry. Some say that the roofs of Jerusalem inspired the orange/red roofs of Florence; their harmonic composition inspires meditation and contemplation.

Florence is the most desirable and beloved destination for travelers from all nations. It is no wonder that some of the world’s most renowned writers, philosophers, and culture shapers spent long periods of time in Florence; it is impossible to pass through her streets and not come away with an unforgettable feeling of enrichment, inspiration, and appreciation.

Visiting Florence is about more than discovering its history. Families, young couples, solo travelers, and children all have limitless discoveries to make in the cobble stoned streets of the center. Italians from all over the country recognize Florence as a wonderful place to raise children, so it will be no surprise that there are plenty of stores and activities for little ones.

From the never-ending musical events and contemporary art exhibitions to the vast array of restaurants and scenic walks, each person’s interests will be more than satisfied in Firenze.

With its picturesque bridges and starry-eyed sunsets over the Arno, Florence is a romantic’s dream landscape. Before the sunset, take a stroll through one of the serene green parks, where you will feel as if you escaped the city in favor of lush nature in the heart of Tuscany. At night, retreat to the famous hills of Fiesole, where you can dine outside while enjoying a milky night sky filled with stars and a vibrant moon.

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, offers endless culinary offerings. World-class restaurants and small, traditional trattorias will each show you a different approach to the flavors of Florentine cuisine.

After dinner, take a stroll through the narrow, cobble-stoned streets and pop into one of the city’s best gelaterias for homemade dessert. End the evening the same way that you started the day: at one of the ancient café’s that populate the squares for one last espresso before you say ‘buona notte.

Rooms: 31

Price: from 209 EUR per night

Source: www.regency-hotel.com