The San Firenze Suites & Spa is housed in a historic building from the 17th-century. It opened after a full restoration in 2011, and the hotel has done maintenance and renovations since then, with the latest renovation completed in 2015. There's not much in the way of lounging space as the lobby is small, with just a front desk, a couch, and a chair. Hallways are spacious, with wooden floors and textured stone walls broken up by white room doors. Like the lobby, the spa is small in size with low ceilings, but has a romantic and intimate vibe with colored mood lighting, relaxing loungers, and an area for tea. Reception is not open 24-hours, though this doesn’t seem to bother most guests who report staff going beyond expectations. It’s a hotel that mainly draws couples on a romantic, luxury vacation in Florence. 

The big appeal here is that all of Florence’s top attractions -- Palazzo Vecchio, Florence Cathedral, Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza del Duomo -- are within a five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. It has a superb central location; there are dozens of restaurants and bars on surrounding streets, while high-end shopping is a seven-minute walk away at Via de Tornabuoni, and antique shopping at Via Maggio takes 13 minutes to reach on foot. Santa Maria Novella train station is a 20-minute walk away or 13-minute drive or bus ride, while the airport is about a 20-minute drive, or 25 to 40 minutes via public transportation.  

Guest rooms here are spacious and stately, with a classically ornate presentation. Striking painted ceilings add an atmospheric touch, while canopy beds and headboards, silk curtains, and framed drawings build on that sophistication. Muted tones of tan and purple are used throughout, including the bed runners, pillows, and velour pullout sofas or chairs. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, kettles, Nespresso coffee machines, and stocked minibars. Beverages and snacks in the minibars are free for travelers who book directly through the hotel’s website (in addition to perks like a spa discount and late checkout). Many of the suites also have charming kitchenettes in armoires which include a sink, two-burner stove, dishwasher, microwave, and dishes and silverware. Bathrooms vary in size, but have white tiles, brown walls, and large vessel sinks. Many have glass showers with waterfall showerheads, while the Charming Suite has both a glass shower and a tub with a flat-screen TV. There are free toiletries, hairdryers, lighted magnifying mirrors, and bidets. Most of the units have lovely views. 

The hotel has a small spa with a sauna, hot tub, and Turkish bath. It offers massage treatments, but it can only accommodate two people at a time and is available upon reservation. The hotel has set up a free breakfast buffet at the next-door cafe, Brown Sugar. It includes pastries, eggs, fruit, coffee, juices, and cereals. Though the property lacks an on-site fitness center, guests have free access to the gym at the sister hotel, Ponte Vecchio Suites & SPA, which is a nine-minute walk away. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi throughout the property and valet parking for a daily fee.