"Why book? For something completely different bang in the center of Florence. This new, design-led hotel has a hip, quirky vibe, ‘Heaven’ or ‘Hell’–themed rooms and great facilities. Set the sceneThe multi-million euro restoration of this monastery complex (and erstwhile bank headquarters) that concluded in 2021 gave a much-needed facelift to the central yet rather scruffy muddle of narrow streets around the church of San Paolino and its eponymous piazza. Hotel guests range from hipsters and the curious to older, black-clad arty types looking for something a bit different. The café, retro Companion bar and San Paolino restaurant have become popular hangouts with a mixed Florentine crowd, the Cinema Paradiso (brick vaulted ceiling, fireplace, and vintage sofas), holds regular screenings, the Sala delle Celeste Armonie with billiard table and selection of vinyl albums is a regular venue for meetings, and the Stanza di Bacco and adjacent wine cellar hosts private dinners. And all around, huge multi-colored spaces are filled with the quirky, humorous and risqué; a jumble of retro furnishings, artworks, and curiosities to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.The backstoryThe German-based 25hours group chose Florence as their first dip into the Italian market, hiring Milan-based interior-design darling Paola Navona to convert the vast space. She took inspiration from Dante’s Divine Comedy; the 700th anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death in 2021 hooked in with the opening. The result is hip, sexy, fresh, and fun, a burst of new energy for the Tuscan capital’s mostly traditional hotel scene. The roomsDepending on your mood, you can choose to sleep in Paradiso or Inferno (Heaven or Hell) which both range from ‘medium’ to ‘gigantic’ in size. The faint of heart may be put off by the blood red and black decor of the latter, preferring the heavenly soothing blue, white, and pale gray tones, but there’s no denying the sense of fun; Hell-bent guests tuck into black silk sheets, while celestial types get a set of strap-on silver angel wings to play with. ‘Large Plus’ rooms have private gardens and outside showers and the stand-alone Casetta del Giardino, with private terrace and pool, gourmet kitchen, and pizza oven is a perfect crash pad for families or groups of friends. Room amenities for all include complimentary minibars (with beer, soft drinks, and snacks), Bluetooth speakers, smart TVs, and shopping bags. Oh, and let’s not forget the super-comfortable Simmons mattresses. Food and drink Great cocktails are served in the retro Companion Bar, but in warm weather it’s fun to grab a table in piazza San Paolino and watch the world go by. The San Paolino restaurant (a whacky flora and fauna-filled fantasy world with a vast open fireplace occupying an enclosed courtyard under a glass cupola) made big waves among the locals when it opened in spite of the rather disappointing food (which, we are told, has improved). The menu offers Italian and Tuscan favorites—beef tartare, aubergine parmigiana, fregola pasta with clams—with a particular emphasis on grilled meats that sizzle on a huge open fire. The Alimentari bar and grocery store serves up coffees, fresh pastries and cakes, pizza, and focaccia all day to both hotel guests and locals. The spaThe spa includes a Turkish bath and sauna and a private relaxation area in the garden. The neighborhood/area In spite of lying minutes’ walk from the designer boutiques in exclusive Via Tornabuoni, Via Palazzuolo has always had a slightly scruffy air, and the eastern stretch towards the train station is a muddle of scruffy palazzi, grocers and hairdressers, tiny bars, and neighborhood trattorias. But the Duomo, San Lorenzo market and Santa Maria Novella are all within a short walk. The service A host of young, hip, casually-dressed men and women from all over the globe are certainly pleasant and keen to help, but don’t always hit the mark in terms of efficiency. Hopefully that has improved too. Among the services on offer is a fleet of Schindelhauer city bikes for hire. For families. The outside space and library with its billiard table and selection of board games for rainy days means that this hotel is better equipped than many in central Florence for families. Accessibility There are nine adapted rooms and the hotel is fully accessible. Anything left to mention? The huge subterranean garage has space for 40 cars (around $33 per day); no other hotel in central Florence offers that sort of parking space on-site." - Nicky Swallow
