“This historic hotel opened for business in the late 1800s. Energetic new management has recently breathed fresh life into the old girl and while the atmosphere of old-fashioned luxury remains, there’s a distinctly hip edge to the place now. So next to the fine antiques, paintings and fabrics, you’ll find cool jazz on the sound system and fluffy duvets and flat-screen TVs in the bedrooms. The lovely belle-époque Winter Garden hasn’t changed; breakfast is served here in cool weather.”
They say
“The hotel Helvetia & Bristol is a magnificent urban palazzo in the centre of Florence, a short walk from the Duomo. Famous as early as the mid-19th century for its charm, service and unrivalled location, it became a favourite haunt of artists such as Gabriele D’Annunzio, Luigi Pirandello, Eugenio Montale and Eleonora Duse. The winter garden has hosted monarchs, aristrocrats and Nobel prize winners over the years.”
