Collegio Alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection

Florence is a city filled with undeniably beautiful hotel options, but this property stands in a league of its own. We recently completed our second stay here, and it only solidified what we already knew: this is the only place we will ever stay when visiting Florence as a family. From the moment we arrived, we were met with the warmest welcome. Returning for a second time truly felt like coming home. What separates this property from other five-star luxury hotels isn't just the stunning decor or the prime location—it is the impeccable attention to detail and, above all, the incredible people. I admittedly need to do a better job of remembering individual names, but the entire staff deserves recognition. Everyone across the guest relations team, the concierge desk, and the restaurant was absolutely amazing. They anticipate every need with such grace and genuine warmth, making traveling as a family feel entirely seamless and special. If you want a flawless luxury experience that pairs world-class service with a rare, genuine heart, look no further. We are already counting down the days until our next return.

From the moment we arrived at Collegio alla Querce, every detail felt thoughtful, warm and incredibly special. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning — the design strikes that perfect balance between timeless Italian elegance and contemporary luxury. Every space feels beautifully considered, with so much character and charm while still feeling relaxed and welcoming. The environment is magical. Set away from the crowds with breathtaking views over Florence, it has this peaceful, almost cinematic feeling to it. Walking through the grounds and different spaces of the hotel felt like discovering little moments of beauty everywhere you looked. The service was genuinely outstanding and one of the biggest highlights of the stay. Every single person we met was warm, attentive and incredibly gracious. There’s a level of hospitality here that feels natural rather than forced — everyone made us feel genuinely looked after and nothing ever felt like too much trouble. The food was also exceptional. Every meal felt thoughtful and beautifully executed, from breakfast through to dinner and drinks. You can tell there’s real care and quality behind everything being served, and every experience felt memorable rather than simply functional. The rooms were absolutely beautiful — spacious, elegant and designed with so much attention to detail. They felt luxurious while still being incredibly comfortable, which is not always easy to achieve. Every little touch added to the feeling of staying somewhere really special. What stood out most was the people. Beautiful hotels exist everywhere, but it's the team that creates the feeling you take away afterwards, and Collegio alla Querce has done that perfectly. Already dreaming about coming back. A truly unforgettable stay and one I couldn't recommend more highly.

If heaven is anything like Collegio alla Querce, just outside of Florence, then I am booking my stay immediately. It is one of the most stunningly beautiful hotels in the world and general manager Lorenzo Maraviglia and his superbly adept team leave no stone unturned throughout your visit. The rooms are sumptuous, yet exude a true residential feel and the services and amenities are unparalleled. The cuisine is progressive yet satisfying and the breakfast buffet is an art form in itself. Art lovers will love this property as it has true character and depth and a history to go along with it.

This is the place to stay when visiting Florence if you want a comfortable, luxurious accommodation in a quiet residential area, away from the massive tourists in the city center. They have a shuttle system that drives into town, that's very efficient and easy to use. Our room was so comfortable, with extra little details that made our stay really special (large closet with great storage and giant shower, heated bathroom floors). Concierge was also so attentive, and went above and beyond to help answer any questions. Food options are also great for various dietary needs. Really excellent stay.

I wonder how the Four Seasons Florence can stay staffed up, because it seems the Collegio alla Querce employs the area's top talent. That includes the award-winning chef and the people who deliver the delicious food and perfect pairings. It also includes every attentive doorman, every housekeeper, every single employee we had the pleasure of spending any time with. We expected the property to be breathtaking, but we were blown away by the level of service. I recommend Collegio alla Querce completely.