The stately Grand Hotel Villa Medici is three blocks from Santa Maria Novella Church and within one kilometer of Via Tornabouni shopping, Ponte Vecchio, and Il Duomo cathedral.The lobby of this 18th century Patrician building has rich red carpets and fabrics with gilt and gold features, arches and marble columns. The 104 air conditioned guestrooms continue the opulent theme; all are decorated in typical Florentine style, boasting antique furnishings and tapestries. Modern amenities include cable television, fax, Internet connections, VCRs, voicemail, clock radios, and minibars. The Carrara marble bathrooms are equipped with scales and separate telephones; many have spa tubs. The Penthouse, with stunning views of roof top Florence, has a terrace with its own pool.
The onsite spa and fitness centre provides a welcome retreat from the bustle of the city, incorporating a sauna, steam bath, massage treatment room, gym and an outdoor garden pool with pool side bar. Business guests can attend meetings in the conference rooms and make use of the computer and cell phone rental services. The Restaurant Lorenzo de’ Medici serves nouveau Tuscan cuisine and is flanked by the conservatory, with its modern interior and long veranda leading out to the garden and pool. The Jockey Bar follows an American theme; open from 11 AM to 1 AM, serving beers, wines, cocktails, light meals and snacks. An American style breakfast buffet complete with homemade pastries is also available each morning. The hotel is situated close to the city’s top attractions: The Ufizzi Art Gallery, Piazza Signoria, Accademia Art Gallery (housing Michelangelo’s David), and the Bargello Sculpture Museum, are all within one and a half kilometers of the hotel vicinity. Florence Vespucci Airport is ten kilometres from the hotel. The airport is a short taxi ride from town (costing13 16 Euros), although it is also possible to take the half hourly bus, which transports passengers to Santa Maria Novella Station, in the centre of Florence, 500 metres from the hotel.