The Hoxton, Florence: Where Renaissance Meets Retro Cool
Old-World Grandeur, Modern Mischief, and a Dash of La Dolce Vita
A Tale of Two Buildings—and Two Eras
The Hoxton, Florence isn’t your average Italian stay—it’s a design dialogue between centuries. Tucked just beyond Florence’s historic center near Piazza della Libertà, the hotel fuses two distinct worlds: a 16th-century Renaissance palazzo, all stone arches and frescoed ceilings, and a 1980s modernist building by Italian architect Andrea Branzi, one of the founding fathers of the Memphis design movement. The result? A seamless collision of eras that captures Florence’s eternal beauty while riffing boldly on its future. Step through the doors and you’ll immediately feel that signature Hoxton balance: heritage without heaviness, playfulness without pretense. This is Florence reimagined—with a wink.
Design: Renaissance Romance Meets Postmodern Play
Inside, AIME Studios (Ennismore’s design arm) has worked its magic, creating interiors that feel at once curated and carefree. In the palazzo, lime-washed walls, original frescoes, and terrazzo floors nod to the city’s storied past, while vintage furniture, checkerboard tiling, and patterned fabrics inject warmth and whimsy. Over in the Branzi building, the design shifts gears—think clean lines, geometric motifs, and flashes of color that pay homage to postmodern Italy. Everywhere you look, there’s a dialogue between eras: Renaissance romance meets 1980s boldness, brought together with a distinctly Florentine flair. A curated collection of artworks from emerging British and Italian artists punctuates the spaces, transforming corridors into galleries and rooms into personal studios.
Rooms with Character (and Sunlight)
Each of the 145 rooms tells its own story. From the Shoebox and Cosy rooms tucked beneath the beams of the old palazzo to the spacious Roomy and Biggy suites with views over terracotta rooftops, every space strikes that perfect Hoxton tone—warm, inviting, and effortlessly cool. Expect Crittall-style windows, handpicked vintage décor, custom headboards, and thoughtful touches like locally made ceramics and woven textiles. The 16th-century building brims with period charm—limewashed walls, stone arcades, and fresco fragments—while the Branzi wing channels a minimalist cool, with nods to the Memphis movement’s bold geometry and playful color palette. And then there’s The House—a three-bedroom private apartment complete with its own kitchen, dining area, and dedicated concierge service. It’s like living in your own Florentine film, only with better lighting and a stocked minibar.
Eat, Sip, Repeat
Food is at the heart of the Hoxton experience, and Florence is no exception. Alassio, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, sits under vaulted ceilings glittering with Murano chandeliers—a glamorous setting for long lunches and lazy dinners. The menu is a love letter to the Mediterranean coast, blending Tuscan flavors with a modern, sun-drenched sensibility. For something more intimate, Enoteca Violetta invites you to linger over European wines and small bites in a relaxed, softly lit space that channels old-world wine bar charm. And for private dinners, La Riserva, the moody wine cellar, offers the perfect hideaway for an unforgettable evening under the arches.
Courtyard Calm, Rooftop Magic
At the heart of the hotel lies a lush courtyard, where a trickling fountain and cascading greenery offer a moment of calm amid Florence’s hum. It’s the kind of space made for cappuccinos by morning and negronis by night. Up top, the rooftop terrace delivers sweeping views of the Duomo and the city’s ochre skyline—an ideal spot to toast the golden hour with a cocktail in hand. The vibe? Effortlessly cinematic.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Hoxton, Florence is a masterclass in contrasts—a place where Renaissance grandeur meets retro irreverence, and where design history and contemporary culture entwine. It’s quintessentially Florentine but refreshingly forward-thinking, offering travelers a stay that’s as creative as it is comfortable. Whether you’re here to marvel at the art, sip wine in the courtyard, or soak up the city from the rooftop, The Hoxton proves one thing: Florence’s renaissance never really ended—it just got cooler.
