Hotel Helvetia & Bristol
An urban palazzo in the centre of Florence with charm and excellent service
Originally built in 1894, the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol has been restored with meticulous care by the current owner Luigi de Simone Niquesa. Using only the finest materials and select furnishings worthy of the grand historic mansion, Simone Niquesa is dedicated to continuing the tradition of refined elegance that the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol has always followed. Located in the heart of Florence, in front of Palazzo Strozzi, the hotel has been the preferred choice of the aristocratic and cultural elite for over a century. Igor Stravinsky, Bertrand Russell, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Luigi Pirandello and the Danish Royal family have all made the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol their home when visiting the Tuscan city.
Each of the 52 rooms and 15 suites at the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol serves as a private luxury residence. All are individually furnished and decorated. Combining period furniture with the latest in-room technology, and Florentine art amidst views onto the surrounding hills of Fiesole, hotel guests are constantly enveloped in an air of refined sophistication. The hotel’s luxury reaches its height within the confines of the Winter Garden, replete with climbing ivy and fountains. On the ground floor, the stylish Hostaria Bibendum serves an outstanding menu based on reinterpretations of traditional Tuscan cuisine. In the warmer months, diners spill out onto the alfresco terrace for an unforgettable culinary experience. For guests in search of a little physical activity, three golf courses can be found in the nearby Tuscan countryside, with horse riding and other sports facilities nearby. An elegant spa and wellness center is adjacent to the hotel.
Evidence of the hotel’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of the noble Florentine tradition is demonstrated in every one of the 67 rooms and suites, each in its own unique way. All contain elegant period pieces such as inlaid armories and antique tables, beautiful Chinese porcelain lamps, and an endless array of gossamer lace, silk and brocade. The bathrooms all feature Carrara marble and whirlpool baths, and all the suites have Jacuzzi baths. The recently-restored Panoramic Suites offer a truly unique Florentine experience. Featuring lavish attic-style décor, high ceilings and painstaking detailing, the rooms’ highlights are surely the large windows that provide breathtaking views of the city of Florence, set against a background of the Tuscan hills.
Hostaria Bibendum Bar and Restaurant
Chef Enzo Petté has perfected a unique fusion of modern and traditional, within the brightly-colored walls of the Hostaria Bibendum Bar and Restaurant. Take a seat on the sidewalk tables of restaurant Hostaria Bibendum for a typical Tuscan-style meal. Make your lunch last with the 5-course tasting menu prepared by Chef Enzo who shows a great passion for harmonizing the natural flavours of ingredients. Sample his fresh pasta and pair it with fine Tuscan wine!
LUXOS Recommends: The five course tasting menu
A.M. 14.7.11
