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The Continentale hotel is a Lungarno hotel, which means it's a Salvatore Ferragamo hotel. Why the chain of code names? Why not just come out and say it, Ferragamo in blinking neon, or at least radiant gold (a la Versace)? Why not at least take advantage of the opportunity to better position the brand, like Cerruti or Bulgari?
Unlike those others, this is not a fashion concept hotel. And, to be fair, Ferragamo has been in the hotel game since 1955 — so this is clearly not an afterthought or a marketing scheme. Ferragamo, as Lungarno, is in this business with both feet (sorry), not just as some kind of co-branding experiment, but as a full-fledged business venture. Thus you will never see the Ferragamo name in your room, unless it is already attached to your footwear.
Then why spend two paragraphs outlining the association? Because this is a hotel that is determined to win you over on its own, without coasting on a reputation earned in the fashion world. And it's a bit counter-intuitive at first, but consider this: as so many full-time hoteliers place visual flash above hospitality substance, here is a fashion hotel that prizes service over design.
That said, the Continentale is not short on design. Architect/designer Michele Bonan went the (seemingly) safe route, with white predominating, but with unexpected accents of bubble-gum pink, intended to evoke the optimistic affluence of the Dolce Vita Fifties and Sixties. In fact you may catch La Dolce Vita playing on the monitor in the lobby.
The service is the story, though; the look is secondary. Many hotels as attractive as this one would make do with flashy appearances and try to get away with a sneering, indifferent staff. Not so at the Continentale. Privacy and courtesy are the order of the day — this is not a place to be seen, but a place to stay, to get away. And the staff are hired, whenever possible, from outside the hospitality industry, so that they may be trained to Lungarno's exacting standards, without any bad habits to forget.
Rooms are comfortable if not enormous (this is Florence, after all) and continue in the palette of choice, whimsical rather than minimal white. The Sky Lounge on the top floor overlooks the Arno River, the hills, and the city. There is no restaurant, just breakfast, but the neighboring Gallery Hotel Art (another Lungarno hotel — there are five in Florence, all told) makes its restaurant available via room service. And the White Iris Spa is a study in Florentine elegance. If the hotel’s Ferragamo connection is discreet, there’s no hiding who’s behind the spa. That would be the renowned Daniela Steiner, who oversaw everything from the design to the beauty products to staff training.
It is an impressive hotel, one as stylish as any, and puts to shame the more tentative offerings of other fashion houses. In fact, staying at the Continentale, you may soon forget the Ferragamo connection altogether — and nothing would please the owners more.
- 43 Rooms
- Style: Modern Design
- Atmosphere: Lively
- 87 Guest Reviews
- Continentale
- Vicolo dell'Oro, 6r
- Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Hotel amenities and services
- 100% non-smoking hotel
- 24 hour concierge
- 24 hour front desk
- 24 hour gym
- Adjoining rooms
- Babysitting (on request)
- Bar
- Central air conditioning
- Free wi-fi
- Library
- Luggage storage
- Multi-lingual staff
- No pets allowed
- Offsite gym facilities
- Rooftop terrace bar
- Room service
- Sauna
- Self service parking (charges apply)
- Shopping area nearby
- Smoking rooms (on request)
- Spa
- Spa treatments (on request)
- Wake-up service
Other Florence hotels
87 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- Christina
- Stayed October 2011
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
From the moment we arrived, everything went right. Our taxi pulled up in front of the hotel and before we were even out of the cab the doorman was handling our luggage. Our room was ready (2 p.m.). And to top it all off (now this doesn't happen everyday) we were advised that we were being upgraded to the Penthouse Suite. Now I'll try not to let this amazing development overly taint my review, but when you're staying in the best room in the house, it's hard not to be extremely happy with the experience! It goes without saying that the Penthouse Suite is a beautiful room, but we also were able to see inside a few other rooms while passing by, and they were lovely too. Designed by Ferragamo, attention to detail has been paid, in the furnishings and the bath amenities. The room decor is white-on-white, which can be tricky to maintain, but our room was pristine - which at EU$1800 per night it should be.
Our room had incredible views of the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio to one side, and off our private terrace equally incredible views of the city and the Palazzo Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio is literally outside the front door of the hotel.
We found the service professional, helpful and politely friendly (no bubbly effusions but this is a chic boutique hotel in Firenze not Nonna's house, so totally appropriate). The concierge offered to make our dining reservation for us while we wandered the city, and when we returned to the hotel all was in order.
While it is unlikely that we would be so fortunate to be upgraded to the Penthouse Suite again, we would definitely return to the Continentale again, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- Adam
- Stayed July 2011
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
The room and bathroom in particular were great! Excellent location and beautiful view from the terrace.
What the hotel could do better:
Check in staff were a bit snooty to say the least...and less than accomodating. Twin beds were requested and the front desk was "bothered" when I requested that the beds be separated.
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- David
- Stayed June 2011
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
The room and location of hotel.
What the hotel could do better:
Focus on the hotel guests. Quality of service is fine, on or around average, but not of the standard one would expect from the hotel's rating.
