Hotel La Gemma is a luxury 5-star boutique hotel set in a former 19th-century palazzo steps away from Piazza della Republica and with Duomo views. You really can’t get more in-the-mix with the Ponte Vecchio, Duomo and Piazza della Signoria all steps away from Hotel La Gemma.
But not to worry, the hustle and bustle of the Centro Storico fades away as you step onto the tiny side street and into emerald green lobby of Hotel La Gemma. The hotel is a quiet oasis right in the heart of it all and totally worth the splurge. How often are you in Florence, after all?
Hotel La Gemma is a family business, and the Cecchi family’s first foray into hotels. With backgrounds in fashion and real-estate, their expertise comes together in the lush art deco interiors. The palette of colors boldly mimics the greens, blush pinks and whites of the nearby Duomo. And with top notch service and a staff that truly treats guests like family, it’s quickly evident why Hotel La Gemma is one of Florence’s best luxury hotels.
Hotel La Gemma is also dog-friendly, so even the most stylish pups like Coco can enjoy all Florence has to offer.
The Rooms
Housed in the 19th century Palazzo Paoletti, Hotel La Gemma’s 39 rooms, suites and apartments are spread over five floors.
Don’t expect stark minimalism or a world of beige in the rooms. The Cecchi family loves decadence, and our junior suite with a terrace (only some have a terrace) was like a jewel box of plush green velvets, velors and brass details, yet a cozy home away from home for our stay in Florence.
There’s a marble topped writing desk, smart tv in both the living room and bedroom, and thick black out curtains. The complimentary mini bar is stocked with water, juice, soft drinks, snacks, and a cocktail making station. There’s also an Italian-made Faber espresso machine in every room. And the rooms are sound proof.
The marble bathroom features a walk-in shower, double sinks and vanity, salon quality hair dryer, and Votary bath products in both travel size you can take with you and large bottles installed in the shower.
Turn down service each evening includes a bottle of water placed on the bedside table and the most comfy hotel slippers – in a rich emerald green, of course, laid out on a little towel alongside the bed.
Coco was welcomed with a plush velour bed and stainless steel bowls for use during our stay, a welcome bag with salmon dog treats (since I had mentioned Coco has a poultry allergy), and a leather door hanger to alert staff if she was left in the room.
Breakfast at La Gemma Cafe
I’m the type to often skip breakfast in favor of grabbing the local pastry from a nearby bakery instead. Not at Hotel La Gemma, where I had my favorite hotel breakfast ever. And that’s really saying something considering I’ve stayed at more than 500 hotels around the world.
Breakfast is practically a Michelin star affair. Just like minimalism isn’t in the Cecchi family vocabulary when it comes to the interiors, there is nothing minimal about breakfast either. There’s choices like eggs benedict, thick French toast topped with fresh berries, and yogurt with homemade granola.
Can’t choose? You can have it all. The only problem is heading out for the day with an already full belly that leaves little room for all the schiacciata, pasta and gelato I planned to devour as I ate my way through the city.
Panoramic Rooftop
Hotel La Gemma has a secret: their rooftop has spectacular views of the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio. There are no drinks or services on the rooftop, but it doesn’t matter. Bring a cocktail from either the lobby bar or from the cocktail station in your room and relax.
It’s even possible, seasonally, to dine privately under the stars on Luca’s Ristorante 4-course tasting menu with wine pairings hand-selected by the sommelier. A private butler attends to your every need during the experience.
Allure Spa
Hotel La Gemma’s boutique Allure Spa boasts an intimate wellness area with Turkish bath hydro-massage bath, ice shower and two therapy rooms. Therapists use the unique Biologique Recherche Method, which is based on a scientific and visionary approach allowing ultra-personalization of all beauty and skincare treatments.
I had a 60-minute aroma therapy massage with essential oils, and it was absolute bliss. My massage therapist took extra care with my left calf, ankle and foot, as I mentioned I’d recently had my ankle ligament reconstruction surgery.
It was the perfect relaxing break from city touring and the summer heat.
Pet Friendly
Hotel La Gemma is pet-friendly and allows one dog or cat per room. Plush dog beds and bowls are provided for use during your stay. Coco also received a welcome bag with salmon treats. There is a €35 per day pet fee.
Dogs are welcome throughout the hotel, with the exception of the Allure Spa. Coco enjoyed relaxing on the rooftop with us, and though she was invited to join us at Luca’s and for breakfast, she was happy to relax in the room.
Luca’s Ristorante by Chef Paulo Airaudo
Normally in a city like Florence where I have a list of must-try restaurants at so long I’d need to spend a month stuffing myself with lunch, dinner, and Florentine street food to even make a dent in it, I’d skip a hotel restaurant. But Luca’s Ristorante by Chef Paulo Airaudo – named as a tribute to the family memory of the founder Luca Cecchi – is not just any hotel restaurant.
As expected when a chef has gained six Michelin stars between his other restaurants in Amelia in San Sebastian, Ibai in Barcelona and Noi in Hong Kong, our experience at Luca’s was one of those memorable meals with dishes so good that I’ll be dreaming of returning for years to come.
Italo-Argentinian Michelin-starred chef Paulo Airaudo re-imagines classical Florentine cuisine with an elevated, modern flair much as the Cecchi family did with the re-imaging the Duomo colors throughout Hotel La Gemma.
The fine dining restaurant is an oasis on the first floor of Hotel La Gemma, perfect for a romantic evening steps away from bustling Piazza della Repubblica. The rich emerald green paneled walls, herringbone parquet floor, and palm leaf paper ceiling create a space that is both trendy, yet cozy.
Luca’s menus are tasting menus of 4, 7 or 11 courses and with or without wine pairings. I highly recommend requesting the chef’s table with a prime view of the open show kitchen. Watching the chef waltz as each course is meticulously prepared is certainly part of Luca’s experience.
We opted for the 7-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and as each beautiful plate came out I saw they were works of art that also follow Hotel La Gemma’s theme of incorporating the Duomo’s pinks and greens. The amberjack with Chioggia turnip and tomato water was essentially the Duomo on a plate. The pink of the fish and turnip contrasted by the grass green color of the Ume kosho, a Japanese condiment made from fermented ume plums and green chilies, was truly eye catching.
Perhaps our favorite course, the pigeon cappelletti is something I’d typically skip over if I saw it on a menu. But it was the biggest surprise of the evening with the rich cappelletti in a simple but oh-so-flavorful sauce drizzled on the plate. It was so distinct, I’m reliving the flavors now as I write about it. I would return to Florence and Luca’s just for the pigeon cappelletti.
And the veal with white onion and porcini mushrooms was absolute heaven on a plate. It was also the dish I most enjoyed watching the chefs prepare in the open kitchen as the attention to detail of the delicate ingredients was impressive.
Our meal ended with several perfectly balanced desserts that were the ideal finish to such a sumptuous meal.
Know Before You Go
Getting to Hotel La Gemma
Hotel La Gemma is located right in the heart of Florence’s Centro Storico. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. The hotel does have private guest parking available for a daily fee if you have a car.
We were guests of Hotel La Gemma and Luca’s Ristorante in order to bring you this story. However, Luxe Adventure Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel are entirely our own. This article contains affiliate links. When you book through our affiliate sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
