Hotel Helvetia & Bristol

Very central location for this beautifully maintained hotel. The rooms are quite different depending on which part of the hotel you are. The reception was very professional and always ready to help. So was the concierge. My room was nicely furnished, the bed very confortable and the turndown service very thoughtful. Unfortunately the double glazing windows was not sufficient and the street noise was quite disturbing. So was the noise from the aircon. The spa is truly amazing and worth going to after a long day of walking in Florence. The truly negative point for me was that an optional service charge was added automatically to my bill when I checked out. Although they offer to remove it I felt a bit cornered.

Staying at Helvetia and Bristol for Christmas was a truly special experience. The hotel itself is exceptional. The rooms are spectacular, with impeccable attention to detail throughout and the lobby is so warm and inviting with a lovely fireplace. However, what really sets this hotel apart is the people who work here. They went unbelievably above and beyond for us: making same-day dinner reservations every night when most restaurants in Florence were already booked, arranging beautiful flowers for my mom’s birthday, and even shipping something I accidentally left behind back to me after we had already gone. Even for a five-star hotel, their level of genuine kindness and attention to detail was amazing. I could not imagine a better hotel to stay in when in Florence - we hope to come back soon!

We were fortunate to be upgraded to a junior suite. The room was very spacious, as was the well-appointed bathroom. The hotel is divided into a classically decorated section, and a contemporarily decorated section. We were in the traditional section. The furnishings were sumptuous, the parquet floor and curtains were all extremely luxurious. The bathroom was marble with bath/shower, toilet, bidet and vanity. We loved the decorating touches such as the marble mirror surround and dado rail. The bath sides were very high which made it difficult to get into and out of safely, especially with a wet floor. The bed was extremely comfortable along with the pillows. The TV smart features (eg Netflix) were disabled. We had a corner room with a window facing each of 2 perpendicular directions. It was a joy to look out at the Christmas lights in the streets. The reception staff were efficient and showed us through our room. Breakfast was exceptional with great service from Ornella and company. There were Western options, Halal sausages, fruit and vegetables (some of the biggest strawberries we have ever seen), juices, Italian cheese and charcuterie, along with an extensive range of pastries. We ordered omelettes, special coffees and tea. The breakfast room is an extension of the old world charm that oozes from this prestige property.. The doormen were always very pleasant as were the restaurant staff. Everybody was pleasant. The location is fantastic, just minutes walk to the Uffizi Gallery, the Cathedral and shopping district. All in all, a magnificent stay. 10 out of 10.

After extensive research, we booked this luxurious centrally located 5 star hotel and were mostly impressed from start to finish. Easily walkable to all the major attractions in Florence, this exceptionally clean hotel hit the mark on elegance and charm. The decor was exquisite and the staff was extremely attentive, although occasionally a wee bit pretentious. Our room (309 ) was beautiful with a gorgeous marble bathroom. Attention to detail was evident throughout the hotel. The king size bed was much larger than expected but we were a bit surprised that our bed (metal poster bed on hardwood) was a bit squeaky. The only other negative observation was that our room lacked adequate drawer space but the hangers were of high quality. Breakfast in the luxurious Winter Garden was delicious and plentiful. Check out was seamless but we were a bit surprised that the staff asked for a voluntary 25 Euro/ day service/ gratuity surcharge. Management may consider advising staff to advise travelers about this gratuity on check-in rather than check-out. Overall, despite these minor issues our stay was delightful.

This was a second stay, for three nights, at the Helvetia e Bristol - one of the great traditional city centre hotels of Europe. It is difficult to believe that there is a better luxury hotel in central Florence. The location is perfect. Right in the heart of Florence, with everywhere walkable. The hotel is in the centre of the luxury shopping area but, unlike other top hotels in the centre, it looks out onto a quiet piazza and the great Renaissance Palazzo Strozzi, rather than onto nineteenth century buildings. Of course, the location is ideal for exhibitions at the Palazzo Strozzi. The junior suites are excellent and the view, with balcony, over the piazza well worth paying extra for. Every detail of the rooms is thought out and works well. The decor is traditional but all redone in recent years to a very high standard, with great taste and modern touches. The staff are very friendly, the breakfast, public spaces and restaurant all fine. There was one, slightly irritating oddity - a five percent voluntary service charge on departure, although the front desk team did say they would take it off or reduce it. There was no mention of this when we booked. The hotel is good value. They should build it in to the room prices or, at least, explain it properly at the time of booking. We will return.