The Artists' Palace Florence Review: A 16th-Century School Turned Hotel by the Duomo

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I spent 4 nights in Florence in October 2019, right after Rome. Prices and booking rules are checked for 2026.

Getting there from Rome

High-speed trains (Trenitalia's Frecciarossa or Italo) run from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella in about an hour and a half. From around €13 if you book early.

Where I stayed: The Artists' Palace Florence

I stayed here (4 nights, 2019, back when it was called The Artists' Rooms)

It's on Piazza San Lorenzo, a few minutes' walk from the Duomo. The building was a Jesuit school in the 1500s, and part of the same complex is still a high school today. It's small, only 17 rooms, and it was renovated in 2019, the year I stayed.

Honestly, everything was great. Step outside and the Duomo is right there, but inside it was quiet. Really, really nice.

The bathroom was weirdly huge, and I loved it.

The elevator is a bit small. If you have a lot of luggage, just do two trips.

The Duomo

Did I climb the dome? Honestly, I don't remember. But I have photos from the top, so I guess I did. After all the lines in Rome, I'd say just seeing it from outside is already worth it.

Leather: a belt made on the spot at Benheart

At Benheart you pick a buckle from a huge pile, pick the leather, and they make the belt right there while you watch. It was fast, and the staff were really kind. Their English wasn't great, but they really tried to help. It wasn't expensive either, though I don't remember the exact price. The leather is good quality.

I got my blue loafers there too. They have shops on Via dei Calzaiuoli and Via della Vigna Nuova.

Gloves from Martelli

I bought gloves at the Martelli glove shop. I still have them, they're really nice, and the fit is perfect.

Ponte Vecchio: three hours on one bridge

The bridge itself is beautiful, and the photos I took from it came out really pretty.

It's lined with jewelry shops, and browsing them was so much fun. Rings, little ornaments, brooches. I think I spent over three hours there.

That's also where I got my mom an exotic leather bag. Crocodile or python, I honestly can't remember which.

The Florentine T-bone

I had the famous T-bone at Dall'Oste. Great beefy flavor, but Florentine style is very rare, and for me it was too rare. Hard to chew. Not my style. If you like your steak rare, you'll love it.

Honestly

Florence is beautiful, but it wore me out physically. And after a few days I was so sick of pasta that I only went to Asian restaurants.

The shopping, though, was so much fun. There are so many little alleys full of shops, and not just luxury brands.

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