From the moment you walk through the cool glass-fronted doors, Hotel La Gemma leaves an unforgettable impression.
Brand new for 2023, the hotel still feels historic, with old-world elegance and hospitality that pays homage to a bygone era. Housed on a site that once served the Guild of Hoteliers, now known as Palazzo Paoletti, the building’s 19th-century walls add to the esteemed ambience.
Visiting in late May, we were ushered efficiently inside from the heat of the city, immediately transfixed by the boldly beautiful interiors.
Hotel La Gemma: Inspired by Firenze
The colour scheme at La Gemma is inspired by the city’s iconic Duomo – a marbled monolith of rose and emerald located less than a five-minute stroll from La Gemma’s front door. Timeless yet transformative, this interior scheme has an intensely memorable effect.
The moment you step through the doors, you are immersed in the rich, Renaissance spirit of Firenze, as if you’re staying within the walls of the Duomo itself. Upgrade yourself into one of the hotel’s suites, and you may even enjoy a view of the Cathedral’s imposing dome from your bedroom window.
Impossibly well-appointed, our Prestige suite featured an ultra-luxe lounge and kitchenette along with an achingly elegant marble bathroom and a rich green panelled bedroom. Here, no detail is overlooked, from the gold-and-green espresso machine to the vintage-style speaker and velvet Italian linens.
Throw open the large windows, and light and laughter billows inside, with the romantic spark of the city drifting up from the teeming streets below. Pull them closed, and you are soon encased in a quiet cocoon of luxurious comfort. In fact, if you never left the hotel for the duration of your stay, you would still have a strong sense of the heart of the city, where arresting architecture gives way to secret eats and local artistry.
Speaking of secret eats, we also had the chance to sample the delights of Luca’s restaurant during our stay. Overseen (quite literally, with a window from the restaurant into the kitchen) by Paolo Airaudo, this gourmet emporium offers tempting Tuscan fare with a decidedly upscale twist.
Having achieved two Michelin stars for his restaurant Amelia in San Sebastian, you are in safe hands with Paolo, who showcases his talent for blending innovative ideas with irresistible local flavours.
From prawn carpaccio with melt-in-your-mouth burrata to the dreamiest al dente pasta, every menu item will leave you reconsidering the peak of Italian cuisine. And of course, all paired perfectly with a local red from the Chianti region, or crisp whites as recommended by the gracious waitstaff.
As tempting as it was to linger a little longer in Luca’s or the mirror-capsuled lounge bar, it was just as easy to lose ourselves in the enchantment of the city, with all the big-ticket sights a matter of moments from our suite.
Shortly after checking in, we strolled over to the Duomo, with its resplendent rose-marbled façade bathed in golden afternoon light. Not much further, and we found ourselves at the Galleria dell’Accademia, where art aficionados jostled for a sighting of Michelangelo’s Statue of David.
In the other direction, the untold wonder of the Uffizi Gallery beckons, home to the largest collection of Italian Renaissance art. Just a minute further, and you’ll reach the Arno River, where the medieval Ponte Vecchio offers the singular experience of shopping while you stroll across the cobbled bridge. These two landmarks completed our Florence itinerary for day two, following a veritable breakfast feast at Luca’s.
Choose from a selection of indulgent sweet treats or opt for eggs any style (or go for broke with both, if that’s what you feel like). The atmosphere is every bit as magic in the mornings at Luca’s, with expertly brewed espressos and freshly squeezed smoothies waiting to set you up for another day in the heart of Tuscany.
Short yet seductively sweet, we were unable to take advantage of some of the other incredible local experiences during our stay. Nevertheless, the clever and capable 24hr concierge is always on hand to help you plan your trip, from insider restaurant recommendations to private guided gallery tours and tailor-made artisan workshops.
Cooking classes at a nearby farmhouse can be arranged, along with show-stopping helicopter tours and wine tastings in one of the city’s hidden cellars. There is also a first-class spa tucked away in the serene silence of the hotel’s historic cellars, where Turkish baths and treatment rooms are waiting to whisk guests away to a new plane of therapeutic relaxation.
Thankfully, our flying visit gives us all the more reason to return to Hotel La Gemma, hopefully someday in the near future. Until then, I’ll be dreaming of each enduring temptation, from the flavour sensations of Luca’s to the pillowy linens and glimmering, immersive interiors. Book your stay here!
PS, If you only have 24 hours in Florence, here’s how you should spend it!
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