Florence is a city that revels in grandeur: Renaissance masterpieces, frescoed ceilings, and palazzos on every corner. But there’s a new kind of stage-stealer – a hotel that’s as playful as it is indulgent. Enter 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino, a boutique bolthole that doesn’t just invite you to stay; it tempts you to linger, laugh, and indulge.
A Church with a Twist
The hotel sits in the heart of Florence’s Santa Maria Novella district, in a converted former convent and bank. From the outside, it blends quietly into the honeyed stone facades. Step inside, however, and you’re plunged into an atmosphere that is anything but monastic. Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, interiors swing between Heaven and Hell – yet in the most theatrical, tongue-in-cheek way. Think velvet-clad banquettes, jewel-toned murals, dramatic lighting, and cheeky flourishes that celebrate Florence’s rich artistic heritage while poking fun at it.
Classic yet contemporary, reverent yet irreverent – is what makes 25hours so refreshing. It’s not trying to be another Renaissance homage. Instead, it’s a stylish playground where guests can experience Florence in a way that feels bold, modern, and unapologetically fun.
Rooms With Personality
The rooms are categorised into “Heaven” and “Hell” themes. Heaven is all about serenity: whitewashed walls, soft lighting, angelic detailing, and a sense of calm that makes you want to sink into the linen-draped bed and never leave. Hell, on the other hand, is deliciously decadent – rich reds, moody lighting, sensuous fabrics, and playful nods to temptation. Whichever you choose, both deliver comfort with rainfall showers, quirky design touches, and an indulgent sense of escapism.
For longer stays or those who crave extra space, the suites go one better with freestanding tubs, eclectic furnishings, and a lived-in luxury that feels less like a hotel and more like the most stylish Florentine apartment you’ve ever stepped into.
Food & Drink: A Feast for the Senses
The beating heart of the hotel is the Cecchini in Città restaurant by the famous butcher Dario Cecchini, set beneath an enormous glass-domed ceiling. It feels part cathedral, part Italian trattoria – airy yet intimate, grand yet welcoming. The menu celebrates Tuscan produce with contemporary flair: seasonal vegetables, hand-rolled pastas, wood-fired meats, and just enough indulgence to remind you that you’re on holiday.
Breakfast is a generous affair, with rustic breads, cured meats, cheeses, fruit, and pastries. By night, the space comes alive as locals join hotel guests for candlelit dinners, clinking glasses of Chianti over bistecca alla Fiorentina. And then there’s COMPANION Dolce Amaro Bar, the hotel’s cocktail den. With its mood lighting, plush seating, and bartenders who take mixology seriously but not solemnly, it’s the place to sip something inventive before heading out – or perhaps to linger all night, lost in conversation.
More than a Place to Sleep
What sets 25hours apart is its sense of community. The hotel isn’t just for guests – it’s become a destination in itself. Locals gather here for coffee in the leafy courtyard, digital nomads perch with laptops in the library, and the on-site 25hours things shop tempts design lovers with curated Italian finds. There’s also a cinema for private screenings, a playful Sala delle Celesti Armonie, where one will find a library room with music and a pool table. It’s a hotel that knows how to have fun, encouraging you to play as much as you rest.
Wellness isn’t forgotten, either. A small but perfectly formed gym caters to those who like to balance pasta indulgence with a workout, and complimentary bikes allow guests to cycle Florence like a local. Though let’s be honest – ambling through cobbled streets gelato in hand is just as valid a workout.
Location, Location, Location
Florence is wonderfully compact, and 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino places you right in the thick of it. Santa Maria Novella station is just a short walk away, while the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Uffizi are all within easy strolling distance. The neighbourhood itself buzzes with artisan shops, tucked-away cafés, and a more authentic Florentine energy than the tourist-heavy squares. You’re close enough to the action, yet far enough to breathe.
The Verdict
25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino isn’t your typical luxury hotel – and that’s precisely its charm. It doesn’t lean on hushed tones, starched service, or gilded opulence. Instead, it delivers something fresher: a blend of design, playfulness, and laid-back indulgence that speaks to a new generation of sophisticated travellers. Whether you’re here for a weekend of art and history, a romantic escape, or simply to eat and drink your way through Florence, the hotel gives you a stylish base and a reason to stay in just as much as go out. From its witty nods to Dante to its effortless mix of locals and visitors, it captures the spirit of the city – timeless, theatrical, and full of life.
For those who thought Florence had no surprises left, 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino proves otherwise. It’s a divine little slice of heaven and hell, all rolled into one unforgettable stay. And where you would want to come back to, time and time again.
By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar
