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Tucked in a corner, just steps from a charming street in the Oltrarno neighborhood in Florence, we found the elegant and luxurious Hotel Lungarno. Invited to see the newly reopened property, which underwent an ambitious 6-month renovation project, we were delighted to be back in Florence.
As we got off the train at Santa Maria Novella, we enjoyed a relaxing stroll to Hotel Lungarno that took us across the Arno river. Situated a stone’s throw away from Ponte Vecchio, you could easily miss Hotel Lugarno as it sits in a tranquil, privileged position along the Arno river.
When you walk toward the entrance of the hotel near the river, it feels like you are walking onto a dock. Once inside Hotel Lungarno, the shades of white and blue as well as the nautical interior, brought about sensations of being on a sailboat.
It was only later that we discovered that this was precisely the atmosphere the interior designed Michele Bonan desired to achieve.
He envisions the property “Like a grand cruise ship sailing down the river this period townhouse is the only one that literally sits over the Arno. Colours such as blue and white were used to accentuate the sense of being, endlessly drifting on the Arno but with the Ponte Vecchio (Florence’s iconic symbol) as your point of reference. The sense of sailing, the constant river view contrasted beautifully with that of a cozy home.”
What makes the Hotel Lungarno even more exclusive is that it is home to over 400 pieces of artwork from Picasso, Cocteau, Bueno, and many Italian artists from the 20th century such as Cassinari, Guidi, Fusi, Morlotti, Rosai, Sironi, and Tosi.
Each of the 68 rooms and suites features pieces of art from a specific artist, and therefore, no two rooms are alike. In addition, the savvy use of antique furniture in the refreshing rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
Artwork is also found in the public spaces and every floor is dedicated to a different art theme. On the 6th floor that we visited, we were treated to pop art displayed in the hallways. Hotel Lungarno plans to place QR codes next to every artwork so guests can have further information about the piece, creating a similar experience to that of an art gallery.
Out of the 68 rooms at Hotel Lungarno, 40 of them offer a splendid view of the Arno. Fortunately, during our visit we had the opportunity to see a lovely double room with a fabulous balcony boasting a splendid view of the Arno River.
The view is priceless and given the time, we could have spent hours on the balcony looking at the Ponte Vecchio and iconic monuments punctuating the Florence skyline such as Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s bell tower and the tower of Palazzo Vecchio.
We also had a glimpse of spacious family room that offers a separate sitting room and overlooks a charming neighborhood street. What we found fascinating is that the medieval tower, which is the oldest part of the building, houses 3 suites.
After visiting the rooms, most of the afternoon was spent enjoying lunch at Picteau Lounge Bar, so called as it features pieces by Picasso and Cocteau. Chic and tastefully decorated, the lounge bar also has an intimate al fresco dining area along the Arno, with a wonderful unobstructed view of Ponte Vecchio.
Service at the Picteau Lounge was outstanding. The staff was attentive and the dishes prepared to perfection and beautifully presented. We were reluctant to leave this serene and tranquil place, a stone’s throw away from the frenzy on Ponte Vecchio, and the only consolation was that our next stop, La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale would offer us equally stunning views of Florence from above.
If you are looking for a tranquil place to stay in the historical center of Florence, within walking distance to the main attractions in Florence, Hotel Lungarno is the perfect choice for you.
Disclosure: This is a post in collaboration with Lungarno Collection for which we have received compensation. We were in no way influenced by the company during our visit to Hotel Lungarno and all opinions are our own.
