When I first learned that we were going to Florence I so wanted to stay at a palazzo. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, how appropriate it would be to stay at a Renaissance palazzo. I had even gone on line and found the perfect place, a 16th century palazzo that had been turned into a hotel with just twelve suites. The Palazzo Magnani Feroni was not just a hotel, it was an historic building on the National Register of Historical Monuments. All I had to do was to convince Jesse and Mindy that this was the perfect place to stay.
Unfortunately, I am not the one who books hotels in our little group. Mindy travels every week for work and gathers up all of our hotel points (most of them hers) and finds us the best deals. She also likes to surprise me with the hotels she books, so I never know where we’re going to stay until we actually get to the hotel.
I spent months pitching the idea of the palazzo, only to be shot down. I was told we’d have to find a hotel that belonged to a chain that would accept our points. I was told that they didn’t think the palazzo was that impressive and they wanted a more modern building. I finally gave up asking and told myself that I should just consider myself lucky to be going to Florence at all.
I was tired and a little bit jet lagged when we got to our hotel. Jesse and Mindy suddenly seemed chipper and told me to look up at the hotel sign. We were at the Palazzo Magnani Feroni!
I couldn’t wait to get through the door and into the lobby to see the inside of the palazzo. A wonderful young lady named Franchesca led us to the palazzo’s elevator. It probably dated to the turn of the last century and had a velvet upholstered seat in case one wanted to sit while ascending to the second floor. It was so small that two of us took the stairs.
Franchesca showed us to our suite, the Giuseppe. It had a master bedroom, a smaller bedroom and a large living room in between. There was a complimentary bottle of Diadema wine encrusted with swarovski crystals and we each were encouraged to choose the fragrance of soap we’d liked from a box of samples. I was enthralled by the antiques and the ornateness of the palazzo. There were Morano glass chandeliers and the breakfast room had a coffered ceiling from the Palazzo Farnese. They tell me I embarrassed myself by squealing with delight during our tour of the hotel.
There is so much to recommend this palazzo. It is within a short walking distance of the Ponte Vecchio, most of the museums and the Duomo. It has a large terrace with a bar where you can look out over the city. We had a lovely candle lit dinner one night on that terrace.
The staff is friendly and very helpful. They make me feel like a duchess when I am there. At Jesse’s request they even arranged to send me a bottle of Diadema wine and Diadema olive oil for Mother’s Day. We’ve stayed there twice now and, if I am ever lucky enough to return to Florence, the Palazzo Magnani Feroni is the place I want to stay!
Excellent web site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!