Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection
Hotel · San Gervasio ·
Restored 16th-century college offers luxury suites, spa, pool, Tuscan dining
Information
Via delle Forbici, 21B, 50133 Firenze FI, Italy Get directions
Restored 16th-century college offers luxury suites, spa, pool, Tuscan dining
Via delle Forbici, 21B, 50133 Firenze FI, Italy Get directions
"I discovered a former 19th-century boarding school reborn as a luxurious refuge in the Florentine hills." - La Guida Michelin
"Hidden behind discreet gates in the calm, cypress-studded hills above the Le Cure neighborhood, this hotly anticipated new hotel immediately impressed me: a sweeping driveway leads to an imposing 16th-century noble residence whose entry is framed by blazing red bougainvillea and fledgling oak trees. The serenity—birds chirping and leaves rustling around an olive grove behind a tall stone wall—feels worlds away from the tourist-clogged streets around the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. Its colossal scale reflects a 19th-century conversion into a boys’ boarding school for Florence’s elite; Salvatore Ferragamo and Stefano Ricci studied here, and a charming display of memorabilia and class photographs honors that past alongside merch inspired by collegiate kit—baseball caps and sweaters embroidered “Querce Sport Firenze.” It’s nice to see a hotel put a little more effort than simply slapping a logo onto a tote bag. The name’s “querce” nods to the soaring oaks that dot the terraced garden, and both oak wood and the oak-leaf motif thoughtfully recur throughout the decor. As hotel entrances go, it’s an all-timer." - Liam Hess
"A newly opened luxury sanctuary set within a carefully restored cluster of 16th-century buildings that once housed a prestigious school. The expansive property offers 83 rooms (including 34 suites), a moodily lit cocktail bar in the former principal’s office, a garden-facing restaurant in the old cafeteria, a treatment spa, and a 114-foot lap pool. Panoramic views alternate between rolling countryside and Florence’s old town, while soaring archways, a marble mosaic entrance floor bearing the school crest, and artworks from the owner’s personal collection give the hotel warmth, historical character, and attention to detail." - Laura Rysman
"Perched on a scenic hillside halfway between Florence and Fiesole, this property breathes new life into what was originally a Renaissance-era villa before becoming the quarters of the prestigious Barnabite College from 1868 to the late 20th century. The grounds retain their collegial feel, surrounded by 42 acres of parkland and formal Italian gardens, while historic interiors add a touch of singular ambiance to what now feels like a welcoming country estate. Expect enchanting views of the Duomo, plenty of peace and quiet, and a convenient shuttle that reaches the city center in 15 minutes." - Laura Rysman
"A hillside retreat housed in a 16th-century former school about a 40-minute walk from Florence’s centro storico that offers quiet, orchard- and olive-grove views through enormous windows across 83 rooms (including a 2,300-square-foot suite with a rooftop terrace and plunge pool); dining includes five outlets such as a seasonal Italian signature restaurant and a cocktail bar located in the former headmaster’s office, all designed to showcase a quieter side of the city and open on March 2, 2025." - Jennifer Flowers
