The Westin Excelsior, Florence, Italy

15th century Westin Excelsior is located in the heart of Florence, dominating the Piazza Ognissanti

By Robin Roth on 29 August 2010 in Travel Articles

The entrance to the 15th century Westin Excelsior located in the heart of Florence is through revolving doors that lead to a stunning entrance decorated with terracotta, frescoes, marble and precious woods.

The hotel, which dominates the Piazza Ognissanti close to shops and boutique dating back to the Renaissance time, has 156 luxurious bedrooms and 16 spectacularly lavish suites have been meticulously restored and remodeled in the sophisticated Florentine style. All are furnished with the finest materials hosieries, drapes and inlaid Italian marble.

I stayed in the ultimate jewel of the Excelsior the opulent Belvedere Suite decorated with rich, warm fabrics and appointed in the style of Florence. It comes with an enormous terrace overlooking the entire city of Florence with its miraculous 360 degree panoramic view. This patio can hold at least a hundred people. Perfect for a wedding, I might add.

Air-conditioning and a TV with internationals channels safety box and mini bar are standard ameities and all feature the Westin Heavenly Bed® comfy, all-white beds with high thread-count sheets, plush down comforters and five queen and king-size pillows on each.

Also featured is the Heavenly Bath(SM), custom-designed shower with two heads. Suites are fitted with Bang & Olufsen BeoCenters with TV and CD/DVD player and Multimedia Quadriga system available (high-speed internet connection.

For dining, visit the new ORVM, bar and restaurant with a modern, art déco style and ambiance. The bar is a great meeting place which maintains its famous brass block carved by a craftsman at the beginning of the XX Century. The ambiance that captures the spirit of the roaring twenties with two striking orange chandeliers and handsome leather and wood furniture. For lunch or dinnerm the menu conceived by Executive Chef Giuseppe Dalla Rosa, offers delectable dishes of traditional local cuisine and served to the sounds of live music.

The Terrace Restaurant .offers alfresco dinging I was able enjoy brilliant Florentine cuisine while enjoying breathtaking historic views overthe banks of the romantic Arno River, the magnificent Church ll Cestello and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.

The building was once owned by the noble family of Boccaccio who used it as their residence. It was bought by the Gondi family and later became the property of Londomez, who was most likely the first to use it as a hotel. Since then a whole sting of celebrities have spent a night or two here including the Shah of Persia, the Romanov family, Emperor William II of Prussia, the Dukes of Windsor, Princess Margaret of England, Elena of Romania, Queen Sofia of Greece, the King of Yugoslavia, the English Prime Minister W. Churchill and Johann Strauss and Sophia Loren,

The hotel also offers: Concierge Service – 24 hour front desk – Parking available –Babysitter upon request – Room Service – Business Center – Car Rental Service – Laundry/Valet – Safety deposit boxes – Some pets allowed - Tour Service –choose from more than one hundred CDs and latest movies, hotel services on line) – Wake up service available – Traditional massage on request – Westin Workout – Personal shopper on request The Westin Excelsior Hotel offers Workout amenities 24 hours a day every day. 

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