Villa Cora, Florence

The 42 air-conditioned rooms are decorated in classical style with antique furniture and feature marble bathrooms with Ortigia rose-scented products. Each room offers a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a minibar. Individualized accommodations include a Junior Suite on the first floor with views of Florence in the distance.

Le Bistrot restaurant serves Italian cuisine and dishes and wines from Tuscany, with dinner available poolside and accompanied by live music. The exceptional breakfast buffet includes homemade pastries, local delicacies, and a dedicated room with freshly made cakes. Drinks and hot and cold snacks are available from the bar, with a pool bar serving cocktails against a backdrop of music.

The heated outdoor swimming pool is set amidst beautiful gardens and surrounded by cypresses and lavender, with towels and sun loungers provided. The wellness area includes a sauna, a Turkish bath, a hot tub, a steam room, and a fitness centre with cardio equipment and free weights. Massages, beauty treatments, body scrubs, wraps, facials, and yoga classes are available through the spa.

A complimentary shuttle service runs between the hotel and Piazza Santa Trinita in the city center during morning and evening hours. The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery and close to Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo. Guests receive a welcome of cookies, fruit, and cakes on arrival, and a departure gift of water and snacks for the road.

The 19th-century building was originally constructed as a villa for Baron von Oppenheim and is now a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The property is surrounded by a serene centuries-old park with a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of Florence. The historic ballroom hosts elegant events and the underground spa tunnel connects to the wellness area.

Rooms: 42 classical-style rooms with marble bathrooms and antique furniture

Dining: Le Bistrot restaurant with Tuscan cuisine and poolside live music

Wellness: Heated pool, sauna, Turkish bath, and spa treatments

Location: Complimentary shuttle to city center, 20 min walk to Uffizi

Service: Personalized concierge for bespoke activity planning

Property: 19th-century villa with historic ballroom and rooftop terrace