Florence has long been a cultural hub in Europe and now, the Tuscan capital is home to a brand new W Hotel. W Florence has officially opened its doors, bringing its unique flavor to one of Italy’s most iconic cities.
W Hotels Opens its Second Location in Italy
W Florence is located in the former Grand Hotel Majestic and is the second W Hotel in Italy, joining W Rome. The 119 room property is located on the Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, steps away from the Duomo, Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, and the city center shopping district. It will likely be a popular spot for travelers thanks to the fact it is walking distance from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the city’s high-speed rail station.
The property features a covered courtyard, multiple food and beverage outlets, and a rooftop deck with panoramic views of the city. George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader at W Hotels, said this about the W Florence:
“The opening of W Florence marks another significant milestone in W Hotels journey, deepening our presence in Italy and strengthening our footprint across the region. As we continue to evolve globally, this latest addition to our brand embodies our commitment to delivering bold, immersive experiences that redefine luxury lifestyle hospitality. W Hotels has always been a brand rooted in creativity and culture, and W Florence perfectly captures the spirit of this dynamic, fashion-forward city.”
Design work for the new property was done by AvroKO, the same firm responsible for the interior design of the new W Prague that opened late last year, and blends the modern W aesthetic with design elements of the 1968 building.
W Florence Guest Rooms
The hotel’s 119 state-of-the-art guest rooms and suites have been outfitted with plush furnishings and best in class amenities and feature marble accents and graphic patterns to bring out the buildings heritage and surrounding attractions.
According to Marriott, the color palette is inspired by the surrounding city which includes lush greens, Medici red, and royal blues. A light installation above each bed is inspired by the city’s iconic arches.
There are 16 suites on property and the large windows, terraces, and balconies throughout the property provide great views of the city all around.
While we’ve seen W Hotels update its brand identity in the last year, The Penthouse, the hotel’s take on a presidential suite, retains some of the old school fun we’ve come to expect from the brand. It offers a unique viewpoint of the city, with a 140-square-meter private terrace boasting panoramic views of St. Lorenzo Cathedral, the Duomo, and the city skyline.
W Florence Food and Beverage
There will be three food and beverage outlets on property, one of which is currently open with two more scheduled to open this year. Tratto, the hotel’s primary restaurant, offers a “bold contemporary Italian food concept” from the Trattoria contemporanea culinary collective.
Tratto operates across the main restaurant area on the ground floor as well as the W Lounge, courtyard, and room service.
Zefirio Restaurant is the hotel’s rooftop dining establishment and is slated to open in late summer. The restaurant will offer craft cocktails, small bites, and bespoke programming from pop-up pizza events to weekly performances from local and international DJs and musicians served up alongside views of the Duomo, city skyline, and surrounding Tuscan hills.
Finally, Akira Black, by the Michelin starred chef of the same name, will also open in late summer and serve contemporary Japanese and Korean heritage cuisine.
W Florence Amenities
In addition to the W Lounge, which will feature live music and DJs, the property has the brand’s signature gym, FIT, as well as meeting space for gatherings big and small. The outdoor portion of the courtyard can also be rented out for various events, including fashion shows.
My Thoughts
Florence is one of the few places in the world where I prefer to stay in local accommodations to be immersed in the city. I visited on three separate occasions and have my local favorites and know the city well. I’m a big fan of Marriott properties, which W Hotels is a part of, and would definitely consider staying here on a future visit.
The location of this property will be popular with travelers thanks to its location, which is walking distance from the train station but it is still close to all of the sights and sounds of the city.
Rooms at the property are currently available for booking through Marriott.com.
Summary
W Hotels has just opened its second property in Italy with the unveiling of the W Florence. The 119 room hotel is in a great location and is walking distance to many of the popular attractions in the city.
(Images courtesy Marriott International)