Location
Getting the location right to explore Florence effectively is a challenge for most families. You cannot get a more centrally located property than the four-star Grand Hotel Minerva in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. If you are arriving by train from Rome, Venice or another European city then this is the perfect location. On arrival by train you literally walk behind the Santa Maria Novella train station and in a couple of minutes you find yourself at the entrance to the hotel. Arrival by car is just as easy. You can either park at the train station or if you fancy you can drive right up to the front door and enjoy their valet service.
Style and Character
They take so much pride in the history of the property (it was once a hostel for pilgrims) and as they show you to your room they take so much pride in sharing their love of art as they explain the carefully selected pieces that are now in their ‘forever home’. What I absolutely love about this property is that when you walk into the lobby you are able to take in the architectural spaces that have been carved out on the ground floor. You can easily appreciate each of the separate spaces – the fine dining restaurant on the left hand side spilling out into the piazza during the summer months; the bar that metamorphosizes into whatever you desire (great music in the evening), to the comfortable lobby where you can read the paper, a book or meet a friend, this in turn interconnects with the beautifully designed breakfast room. And you might not see it but there is also a gym tucked away in the corner behind the restaurant.
Rooms and pricing
When you get to know us you will know that we champion properties that are family friendly and have several room configurations to allow for any length or stay or celebration. I recently stopped over with some girlfriends for the night as we were planning to visit one of the museums in Florence and the hotel offered everything we needed including the heated pool on the roof with a view to die for.
Rooms start from €240 in low season and €685 in high season.
Services and facilities
Over the past few years, they have redecorated the 97 rooms and you will be pleasantly surprised with the splashes of color, modern décor and contemporary marble bathrooms. Be sure to ask for a room with a wonderful view of the Piazza Santa Maria Novella below.
Their fine dining restaurant is in the lobby on the left hand side spilling out into the piazza during the summer months, the bar that metamorphosizes itself into whatever you desire (great music in the evening) to the comfortable lobby where you can read the paper / book or meet a friend that interconnects to the beautifully designed breakfast room. And you won’t see it but there is also a gym tucked away in the corner behind the restaurant and some fabulous view from the rooftop bar.
Food and drink
On a visit there last year we were blown away by the many dining options to choose from, either from the restaurant run by a local chef that could be formal or al fresco, the Bistrot Bar, the Rooftop Bar (serving meals, snacks or aperitivo). I must be honest if you weren’t in Florence you would be tempted not to leave the property at all.
See what Florence has to offer
If you must leave the property you definitely need to visit a few of the museums like the Accademia to see David, or the Uffizi which boasts a collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici Family.
What you also got to love about Florence is the shopping (full disclosure I am not a lover of shopping) but when you have a 17 year old daughter you have no choice, so if you are looking for designer stores then pop down to Via Tornabuoni or visit many of the other high-street stores littered throughout the city.
They have a saying at the hotel “Beyond Sleeping: A World of Services for our guests” and it is absolutely true, it’s the people I love at this hotel …from the reservation team, front office staff and fabulous food & beverage team, they make all the difference.
They also have a wonderful property in Forte dei Marmi, Villa Roma Imperiale.
I have stayed at this property for business and pleasure and I have never been disappointed.
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If you don’t have time to plan your next vacation, need help finding family friendly hotels, tours and activities or just want an hour or two consulting then we are here to help. We can brainstorm destination ideas with you, work with you to design a custom itinerary or simply book a resort, villa or hotel stay for your family. Follow this link and we’ll set up a time to call you and let you know how we might help or advise you on what to do next.
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