Business Traveler, July/August 2020

b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m 7 0 J U LY A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 T R I E D A N D T E S T E D H O T E L Editors Note This review is meant to share our experience so you can plan future travel when you feel safe to do so At this writing Rocco Forte is projecting a reopening for the Hotel Savoy in early September B A C K G R O U N D The European footprint of Rocco Forte Hotels luxury 5 star hotels is especially prominent in the renowned boot of Italy with seven properties dotted from storied Sicily to the Hotel Savoy in romantic Florence Mostly located in iconic city centers all these hotels feature exquisite design and unparalleled service WH E R E I S I T It doesnt get much more city center than this The Hotel Savoy faces the Piazza della Repubblica overlooking the Column of Abundance which actually marks the center of Florence An easy stroll southward is the River Arno spanned by the ancient Ponte Vecchio Bridge and a couple of blocks north of the hotel is the Cathedral of Florence with its soaring red tiled dome the very emblem of the city WH AT S I T L I K E The Hotel Savoy dates back to 1893 and in its day was considered a modern marvel In 2018 the historic building was renovated under the guiding hand of Olga Polizzi the groups director of design Polizzis interiors are always intriguing often surprising and wholly delightful Hotel Savoy welcomes guests into an elegant lobby that nonetheless somehow manages a sense of warmth thanks to splashes of color in chic accent pieces and artwork Service at reception and throughout my stay was as you might expect understated prompt and unfailingly courteous R O OMS The Hotel Savoys 80 rooms and suites are generous by city center standards ranging from about 270 square feet up to the new 1600 square foot Duomo Presidential Suite My Classic room was spacious almost what other hotels might call a suite with a separate sitting room populated by a couple of comfy overstuffed chairs and a sofa facing the flat screen TV on the wall The furnishings and appointments were an eclectic mix of clean modern and Tuscan vintage with fabrics in soothing inviting colors The star was the dramatic view out my sitting room window which was taken up almost entirely with Brunelleschis famous Duomo and bell tower The marble clad bathroom offered a wonderful rainfall shower and a full complement of Forte Organics bath products A little personal touch that I found particularly memorable three monogrammed face towels were rolled and placed to form my initials F O O D A N D D R I N K Irene is the name of both the restaurant and bar located on the Savoys ground floor In nice weather inside seating spills out onto the Piazza della Repubblica making for a supremely European dining scene The menu developed by director of food Michelinstarred Chef Fulvio Pierangelini features a range of Tuscan dishes none predictable all inventive From the panzanella and buffalo mozzarella unlike any Id had before to the mixed seafood grilled cooked on Himalayan salt stone everything tasted fresh and creatively presented But by all means save room for the cherry crumble with spiced ice cream Really M E E T I N G S A N D F I T N E S S FA C I L I T I E S For meetings and events the 800 square foot salon can host up to 50 attendees and high speed WiFi is available throughout the hotel The new state of the art gym is fully equipped and theres a fitness studio for Pilates and yoga classes V E R D I C T Lets see a classic hotel done up in elegant style and served with grace and élan in the very heart of one of the worlds most cherished cities Whats not to love Dan Booth Hotel Savoy Florence B E S T F O R Superb design smart service and remarkable views of Florentine landmarks D O N T M I S S The cherry crumble with spiced ice cream Really P R I C E Internet rates for a Classic room start at 535 C O N T A C T Piazza della Repubblica 7 50123 Firenze FIorence Tel 39 055 27 35 1 roccofortehotels com