Hotel Il Salviatino

I slept so well, waking to the birds, and enjoyed the pool and gardens on sunny days. On rainy afternoons I spent time in the library and spa, which felt like a little heaven. The food was delicious and top quality. The place surprised me with its timeless elegance, warm, home-like welcome and the embrace of the old trees. Hospitality was wonderful, especially from concierge Pawel, and Filippo at the spa was amazing. I only wish I’d stayed longer. I’ll definitely be back, and I’m grateful for these lovely memories.

We had dinner here a few times as well as breakfast, and I still think about how good the food was. One evening we were relaxing in the library and didn’t want to head out, so they brought dinner to us. We often had parts of the property, including the amazing spa, to ourselves. The rooms are incredibly beautiful, and the rest of the estate is even more impressive. It was easy to get down to the city, but lovely to admire it from the hills too. I felt as if I were living in the Renaissance in my own private home. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve stayed, and I’d return in a heartbeat. I can’t recommend it enough.

The front desk team and the turn-down service were great, but the stay really put a damper on our honeymoon. The rooms felt outdated and needed a refresh and a proper clean. Drinking water left in the room tasted stale and smelled bad, the bathwater was yellow, and there was moldy ketchup with the room service we ordered after missing a dinner reservation. We also spotted a lizard climbing the wall when we arrived. The hotel arranged a very poor walking tour for us. The shuttle stops at 8 p.m., so expect €25-50 for a ride back from dinner each night. This wasn’t the luxury experience we booked, and I’m sharing it in case other honeymooners are considering the hotel.

Dinner and breakfast were both delicious, with good quality and plenty of choice. The staff were consistently kind and helpful, and the rooms were comfortable, with historic interiors that gave the place extra charm. The panoramic view across Florence is breathtaking, and the location is ideal, about 15 minutes from the city centre. A truly special stay.