Dimora Palanca
"Why book? For the restaurant; young Roman chef Giovanni Cerroni is serving up some of the most interesting and imaginative food in Florence at the moment. That aside, the hotel is a cool, arty oasis in this traffic-clogged corner of Florence, and if you are flying in or out of Peretola airport, the tram stop is steps away. Set the scene Artsy old Villa Azalea had lain empty and neglected for years before the present owners swept away the dated frills and chintzes in favor of the cool, sophisticated look that is Dimora Palanca today. They restored the overgrown garden and converted the ex-lemon house into bedrooms. 19th century features such as the fabulous stucco work, delicate ceiling frescoes and grand staircase were maintained, and the whole place was given a good lick of white paint making a perfect canvas for the contemporary artworks that now grace the walls. The location isn’t the most appealing, but it has logistical advantages and the restaurant and bar are fast gaining a local following. The backstory Dimora Palanca occupies an elegant 19th century villa that was previously the bohemian Hotel Villa Azalea, a magnate for the literary set, musicians and actors; the old Teatro Comunale opera house was just around the corner. The new owners are passionate about art and commissioned local artist Paolo Dovichi to create 50 site-specific works for the hotel which sit well against the original 19th century features and contemporary design pieces by the likes of Flos, B&B Italia and Maxalto. The rooms The 18 rooms, divided between the main villa and the old limonaia across the garden, are elegant and comfortable with oak floors and contemporary furnishings in pale blues, beige and grays; fabulously comfortable beds (Simmons) are made up with pure linen sheets and draped with cashmere throws for cooler nights. Sunlight streams through the tall windows bouncing off dazzling white walls showcasing the intricate stuccos; efficient soundproofing means that traffic noise is not a problem. Minibars are stocked with complimentary soft drinks and snacks. The neighborhood/area This ‘wrong end’ of Via della Scala isn’t really a neighborhood, lying away from the city center and on a corner with the traffic-clogged ring road that sweeps round the western limits of central Florence. But ten minutes walk to the east is Piazza Santa Maria Novella (with the famous Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella en route), and from there most of the most important sights are within easy reach along with a good choice of places to eat and drink. The new Teatro del Opera, with its excellent programme of symphony concerts and opera is just to the south, and beyond it, the green oasis of the Cascine Park stretching along the north bank of the Arno. What the location loses in terms of neighborhood atmosphere, it gains in convenience; it’s a short walk to the train station, is easy if you are driving (there is free parking on site) and there is a tram stop with connections to Peretola airport steps away. The service Polished and professional. The mainly young staff are unfailingly pleasant and extremely helpful under the direction of a seasoned GM. The housekeeping is immaculate. Along with securing the usual restaurant and transport reservations, the dedicated concierge will steer guests towards experiences such as tours of the artisan studios in the Oltrarno, after-hours visits to the Vasari Corridor, vineyard tours in Chianti, cooking classes and food tours in Florence. Accessibility Two fully-adapted rooms and full wheelchair access throughout the hotel. Anything left to mention? The lovely garden with tables, loungers and big white umbrellas, is a world away from the trafficked road on the other side of the high wall, and at the end of a long days’ sightseeing, an aperitivo or dinner here is a treat." - Nicky Swallow
