view from Palazzo Magnani Feroni's rooftop terrace

Swarovski bottles for Diadema wine made on the Villa l'Olmo estate

Palazzo Magnani Feroni entrance hall

not the lobby, but rather the Giuseppe Suite living room

An Aristocrat's Palazzo Where Guests Are Warmly Welcomed

As one of the most appealing cities in a country counted among the world's top tourism destinations, Florence sees a steady stream of visitors coming to marvel at Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia and the many stellar artworks at the Uffizi Galleries and Pitti Palace.  Few people know, however, that the fine art of Florentine living can be experienced by actually staying in a palace as a guest at the superb Palazzo Magnani Feroni.

Owned by the same family for hundreds of years, Palazzo Magnani Feroni is by no means a typical hotel.  Oh, there is a Reception desk and a fitness room, but the 12 suites available at this all-suite property are more like private apartments than hotel rooms.  The lobby is a grand entrance hall lined with classic works of art.  In fact, the entire building is an art gallery of sorts; as the grandfather of the current generation of owners was a highly successful antiques and art dealer, the appreciation for art that pervades Florence came home to reside within the walls of the palazzo, which encloses a lovely, palm-treed courtyard.

Don't come to Palazzo Magnani Feroni expecting to be surrounded by glitzy furniture or drizzled by gold-plated taps; it's not that kind of place.  Italians from historic families do not flaunt their wealth, and since the palazzo is a home of sorts, the surroundings instead are filled with exquisite, valuable, but subtle items that do not scream, "Look at me!"  The one exception is the priceless view from the rooftop terrace, where the famous skyline of Florence is best appreciated at dusk when a soft, powder-blue light illuminates the dome of the Duomo, the tower of the Palazzo della Signoria, the façade of the Pitti, and the walls of the Ponte Vecchio.

For experienced travellers looking for authenticity, Palazzo Magnani Feroni is a wonderful choice for a stay in Florence.  The small size of the hotel works well for meetings and incentive travel; the entire property can be taken over, and the meeting room is a spectacular Renaissance hall used in the past for photo shoots and fashion shows.    

Like any aristocratic family, the owners of the Palazzo also own a country property where guests can stay overnight for a Tuscan countryside experience just 20 minutes' drive from the city.  At Villa l'Olmo, grapes are cultivated for private-label wines and olives are grown to produce an excellent olive oil packaged in bottles decorated with Swarovski crystals.  The essence of cosmopolitan Florence with the essence of rural Tuscany—a most satisfying combination.

Palazzo Magnani Feroni
Borgo San Frediano, 5
50124 Firenze (FI)
Italy
tel:  +39 055 239 9544

palazzomagnaniferoni.com