Hotel Lungarno
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
Hotel Lungarno · Florence, Italy
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Expert Review: Hotel Lungarno
Hotel Lungarno, Florence: A Michelin One-Key Riverfront Gem
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
Hotel Lungarno consistently garners exceptional ratings, reflecting a highly positive guest sentiment. It is frequently described as "Consistently Fantastic!" and "Exceptional" by guests. Review platforms show scores like 4.8/5 from over 600 reviews and a remarkable 9.6 out of 10 on Hotels.com, with a perfect 10.0 for cleanliness and staff performance on Agoda. This Michelin One-Key property is widely regarded as a luxury retreat offering comfort, exquisite design, and an unparalleled location.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently rave about several standout features of Hotel Lungarno. The location directly on the Arno River, offering breathtaking views of the Ponte Vecchio, is a major draw. The hotel's sophisticated design, masterfully renovated by Michele Bonan, blends classic Florentine charm with sleek, contemporary elements, featuring signature blue hues and nautical touches. The extensive art collection, including original 20th-century works by Picasso and Jean Cocteau, adds a unique cultural dimension to the common areas. Exceptional service from a professional and friendly staff is another recurring highlight. Furthermore, the presence of a Michelin-starred restaurant, Borgo San Jacopo, and the vibrant Picteau Cocktail Bar contribute significantly to the hotel's allure.
3. Room Quality
The 62 rooms and suites at Hotel Lungarno are described as comfortable, well-appointed, and impeccably composed, reflecting a timelessly elegant, antique-influenced Bönan style. Interiors feature rich navy carpets, stained-wood furnishings, and crisp white linens. While some rooms might not be "enormous," which is typical for historic European city centers, they are considered capacious enough. Many rooms and suites boast private terraces and balconies with stunning river views, and some are dedicated to specific artists. Bathrooms are often marble-clad and include Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries. Modern amenities such as LCD TVs with premium channels, iPads, Bose Soundlink Mini music systems, Lavazza coffee machines, minibars, and complimentary bottled water are standard. Hypo-allergenic bedding is also available.
4. Dining Experience
Hotel Lungarno offers a distinguished dining experience. The Borgo San Jacopo restaurant, which holds one Michelin star, serves contemporary Italian cuisine and provides al fresco dining with captivating views of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio. Guests frequently praise the breakfast, noting excellent choices available in a welcoming atmosphere, including extensive buffets and made-to-order coffee, alongside healthy options like fruit and granola. The Picteau Bistrot & Bar is another popular spot, offering cocktails and Mediterranean dishes crafted by the Michelin-starred Executive Chef Claudio Mengoni, set amidst 20th-century artworks and with a terrace overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.
5. Service & Staff
The hotel's service and staff receive consistent accolades, often described as "fantastic," "great," "professional," and "very friendly." Guests highlight the impeccable service and the staff's attentiveness, with one review noting a perfect score of 10.0 for staff performance. The hospitality is characterized by a personalized approach, with staff exhibiting strong aesthetic sense, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills.
6. Location & Accessibility
The location of Hotel Lungarno is considered "enviable" and "just about beyond compare." Situated directly on the banks of the Arno River, it is less than 328 feet (100 meters) from the iconic Ponte Vecchio, placing guests in the heart of Florence's historic center. This prime position allows for easy walking access to major attractions like the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and Palazzo Pitti, as well as charming cafes and boutique shops. The hotel also offers convenient parking next door, allowing access in Florence's ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) area, and is a short walk from public transportation.
7. Value & Pricing
As a luxury Michelin-Key property, Hotel Lungarno commands a premium price. The average price per room has been noted around $972, significantly higher than Florence's average hotel room price of $289. However, guests often perceive it as "worth every penny" due to the exceptional amenities, impeccable service, and breathtaking views. While rates can start from around $366, average weeknight and weekend prices are closer to $722. The low season (January and February) offers the cheapest deals, while June is typically the most expensive month to stay.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted. A few guests mentioned that rooms could be on the smaller side, which is a common characteristic of hotels in historic European buildings. There have also been occasional remarks about noise, particularly for street-facing rooms. A specific, though isolated, complaint mentioned the Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo restaurant as potentially being "the worst Michelin star restaurant" one reviewer had experienced. Another guest reported a "tiny leak in the floor by the bed," though they noted the hotel staff was alerted and handled it.
Sources
Google Reviews
511 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
N B
Hotel Lungarno is truly one of my favorite hotels, and my recent stay has only deepened my admiration. From the moment you step into this gem, you’re embraced by an ambiance of elegance and sophistication that rivals a 7-star experience. The interior design is impeccable, with every detail carefully curated to exude luxury, while the exterior is equally breathtaking. The location is unbeatable, o...
Cynthia McFarland
Hotel Lungarno was an absolutely wonderful experience. The staff was genuinely friendly and welcoming, and the ambience throughout the hotel was beautiful and inviting. The attention to detail really stood out, along with the top-notch cleanliness of every space. I especially appreciated the thoughtful added touches, like the turndown service, which made the stay feel extra special. Breakfast was ...
Matthew Wolsfeld
This luxury hotel is located in a charming area of town. The food is exceptional, but most important are the outstanding staff. We arrived in the midst of a family emergency. The Hotel Lungarno staff were incredibly helpful, kind and caring. They provided extraordinary assistance with every need. We are forever grateful to all of the amazing staff, especially Ilaria, Andrea and Sara for their trem...
Kevin Oxley
The Hotel Lungarno is breathtaking. Most of the main attractions, and so many incredible restaurants, in Florence are within walking distance. The rooms are well appointed and beautiful. Staying within the hotel walls makes you feel like a piece of history and the walls of the sleeping quarters feel like they were carved out of the walls of a castle. The service from the gentleman who opened the d...
Katarina Kern
Amazing hotel, with an amazing view and location. Rooms are clean and charming. Bed sheets are incredibly soft!!! Service is outstanding- everyone going above and beyond, especially James out front. He saved the day when we didn’t have cash and needed to pay for a taxi, he paid out of his pocket (we paid him back later that day). Will definitely recommend and come back!
Eddy
Soft product was great. Excellent customer service, really good breakfast. Hard product had some aging infrastructure issues. The water pressure on the hot water would go in and out. Normally I wouldn't care, but this meant the shower constantly vacillated between being lukewarm and scalding hot. You just have to monitor and go in and out of the shower water constantly. So marking it down for bei...
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