Oltrarno Splendid: Where Classic Eccentricity Meets Florentine Soul
A masterclass in design, hospitality, and the art of timeless charm.
A Jewel in Florence’s Bohemian Heart
In the city of the Renaissance—where beauty is practically a civic duty—Oltrarno Splendid manages to feel both reverently Florentine and refreshingly original. Set within a 16th-century palazzo in the artisan-rich Oltrarno quarter, this intimate 14-room guesthouse redefines local hospitality with its irresistible blend of artful eccentricity and lived-in elegance. Behind the grand stone façade, architect Francesco Maestrelli has orchestrated a restoration that honors the building’s patina while celebrating Florence’s creative pulse. Every frescoed ceiling, marble stair, and sunlit window whispers of history—but in the hands of the Oltrarno Splendid team, that history feels very much alive.
Design That Dances Between Eras
Each of the 14 rooms is a small world of its own—a dialogue between centuries-old architecture and modern whimsy. Think high ceilings adorned with original 17th-century frescoes, juxtaposed with bold wallpapers, mid-century silhouettes, and custom lighting that feels more art installation than fixture. The palette shifts from room to room—emeralds, ochres, deep blues, and golds—creating moods as varied as the artists and artisans that surround the neighborhood outside. Antique mirrors, velvet armchairs, clawfoot tubs, and patterned tiles complete the picture, but nothing feels staged; instead, every piece feels chosen, considered, and deeply personal. This is not a hotel that imitates Florence’s grandeur—it reinvents it.
The Lounge: A Florentine Salon Reimagined
At the heart of Oltrarno Splendid lies a lounge that captures the property’s spirit perfectly. Early 1900s maps line the walls, nodding to Florence’s storied past, while bespoke furniture and handcrafted details invite guests to linger. The ceilings—painted and ornate—frame the room in quiet majesty, creating an atmosphere where conversation and contemplation flow as easily as the Tuscan wine poured each evening. It’s a space that feels as much like a private collector’s salon as a hotel lobby—intimate, evocative, and layered with history.
A Neighborhood That Defines Authentic Florence
To stay in the Oltrarno is to experience Florence at its most genuine. Here, artisans still hammer, carve, and paint in workshops that have existed for generations. Cafés spill onto cobblestone streets, the air carries the scent of espresso and leather, and time slows to a more human pace. From this location, every major monument is within reach, yet the crowds feel pleasantly distant.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Oltrarno Splendid isn’t just splendid by name—it’s Florentine hospitality reimagined through a designer’s eye and an artist’s heart. Every inch of the space captures the duality that defines Florence itself: grandeur and intimacy, tradition and reinvention, beauty and soul. For design lovers, romantics, and travelers seeking the true essence of the city beyond the postcard, this is the Florence you dream of—but rarely find.
