Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Grand Hotel Minerva, Florence
Facts in brief
Official star rating 4
Location In the Piazza Santa Maria Novella
Annual opening All year
Closest airport Florence or Pisa
Distance from airport About 20 minutes by car from Florence and about an hour from Pisa
Closest railway station Florence Santa Maria Novella
Distance from railway station 7 minutes on foot
Hotel facilities and services
Rooftop terrace with seasonal heated outdoor pool, rooftop bar, sky lounge, restaurant, outdoor terrace for dining and drinks on the square, fitness centre with hot tub, valet parking
Out and about nearby
Florence is one of the must-see places of all art lovers. Florence is the centre of the Renaissance movement and the Uffizi Gallery houses a phenomenal collection of paintings from this era, as does the Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s statue of David. However, it is the atmosphere of the city which is overwhelmingly Renaissance as everywhere you turn there is yet another reminder of the period either artistic or architectural, which creates a superb museum-like ambience to the historic centre. All the sites are easily reached on foot from the Ponte Vecchio to the Church of Santa Maria Novella, to the Accademia, to the Duomo and it is by visiting on foot that you can soak up the amazing atmosphere of the city.
What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!Mr W, July 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Premium double room for 5 nights
From about
£1,470
Holiday Code EXH46378
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Grand Hotel Minerva, Florence
The 4-star Grand Hotel Minerva enjoys a prime location in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella in historic centre of Florence. Masterfully restored in 1958, the original hotel opened in the early 19th century, and its historic roots contrast beautifully with the contemporary finishes brought in by its recent refurbishment. The combination of original structure, the flair of the 50s and the stylish contemporary feel embraces you as you enter the spacious and light reception. Around you are eye-catching paintings and ceramics, and ahead of you is an interior garden. The 97 rooms and suites, many of which offer views of Florence’s main historic buildings and monuments, are warm and inviting with wooden parquet floors, a soft colour palette and works by contemporary artists chosen from the city’s leading art galleries. The hotel’s main restaurant, la Buona Novella, serves classic dishes from Florentine and Mediterranean traditions with a contemporary twist in a classically sophisticated setting. During the warmer months the restaurant extends outside onto a terrace in the pedestrianised square with a view of the facade of church of Santa Maria Novella for a true al fresco experience. The breakfast room also looks into an interior green space. The main hub of the hotel is its rooftop terrace, which affords stunning panoramic views of the Church of Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo and the Tuscan hills beyond the city. The terrace is open year round and its heated outdoor pool and sky bar are open from April to October, subject to the weather. Those wishing for more privacy can reserve the private sky lounge for use between 7pm and midnight. This is the perfect area in which to unwind after a day exploring the sights of Florence on your doorstep.
Room descriptions
The Grand Hotel Minerva has 97 rooms and suites, all equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, evening turn-down service, in-room safe, minibar, flatscreen TV, bathrobe and slippers, hair dryer and toiletries.
What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!Mr W, July 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Premium double room for 5 nights
From about
£1,470
Holiday Code EXH46378
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Grand Hotel Minerva, Florence
The journey and how you get there
For a holiday to the Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence, our clients usually fly to Pisa airport, Florence airport or arrive by train at Florence Santa Maria Novella railway station. From the airport, we recommend a private car transfer which we would include in our holiday price. It is a short walk from the train station to the hotel. If you are visiting Florence as part of a tailor-made touring holiday, we recommend returning your hire-car upon arrival in Florence, and then if you need a car to continue the itinerary, collecting another one when you leave.
Special offers
Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.
What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!Mr W, July 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Premium double room for 5 nights
From about
£1,470
Holiday Code EXH46378
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Grand Hotel Minerva, Florence
About Florence
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Florence is one of the ‘must see’ places of all art lovers. Florence is the centre of the Renaissance movement and the Uffizi Gallery houses a phenomenal collection of painting from this era, as does the Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s statue of David. However, it is the atmosphere of the city which is overwhelmingly Renaissance as everywhere you turn there is yet another reminder of the period either artistic or architectural and this creates a superb museum like ambience to the historic centre. All the sites are easily reached on foot from the Ponte Vecchio to the Church of Santa Maria Novella, to the Accademia, to the Duomo and it is by visiting on foot that you can soak up the amazing atmosphere of the city.
Highlights of Florence
The markets in Florence are great for browsing for leather bags and shoes, but be prepared to haggle the price, as these markets are now really geared up for tourists and you can end up paying more than you need to. Fiesole can be reach by train or bus and has lovely views of the city. The Boboli gardens are an enchanting place to spend a few lazy hours and can be reached on foot over the other side of the River Arno from the main sites. Hire a car and visit Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano, Chianti, Montepulciano, Perugia and many more fascinating mediaeval towns nearby.
Cultural highlights of Florence
The Duomo, The Battistero, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, the mausoleum of the Medici family in the Medici Chapel, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, The Piazza della Signoria.
Festivals in Florence
There are a wide range of fashion shows held in Florence in January, which can make finding hotel availability difficult during the show period. Otherwise, Florence holds any wonderful festivals throughout the year including the Scoppio del Carro or the explosion of the cart on Easter Sunday, which is really a firework display, but the atmosphere is tremendous. Calcio in Costume in June is a fun spectacle and a slightly different take on ‘Calcio’ or football! Alternatively, in September there is the Festa della Rificolana where children carrying candlelit lanterns converge on the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata to celebrate the eve of the birth of the Virgin Mary. The most notable festival in the area however, is of course the Palio in Siena, just south of Florence and easily reachable by train, which takes place in July and August. Early booking is essential.
Gastronomy in Florence
Florence is famous for its food, namely Bistecca alla Fiorentina and many grilled meats and game dishes, but of course it is the centre of the Chianti wine producing region and thereby has access to some of the most prestigious wines from Chianti and the hearty reds of Southern Tuscany. Olive oil is also in abundance here and is used with everything, from cooking to dipping and even tasting!
