Hotel Review: Hotel Savoy, Florence

Hotel Savoy could not be more central, being located on the café-lined Piazza della Repubblica (Florence's main square), halfway between the Uffizi Gallery and Florence Cathedral.

By plane: flights from London to Florence take over 2 hours. The hotel is a 25-minute drive from the airport. Parking costs €65 per day. Book flights to Florence.

Collaboratively designed by celebrated interior designer and Rocco Forte family member Olga Polizzi and Laudemia Pucci, daughter of legendary designer Emilio Pucci, the small white lobby area is pretty jazzy with furniture decked out in bright colours. Guest rooms are more classic and subdued in style.

Irene's Restaurant has a small terrace on the square. There's a spa treatment suite and a sizeable basement gym with Technogym equipment, as well as a yoga/exercise area. Service was very efficient, and every little detail was attended to by housekeeping - for example your charging leads rolled up into neat bundles and a cloth left to clean your glasses.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Fitness centre
• Spa
• Family-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Most rooms and suites boast views of the Piazza della Repubblica. They have an elegant, traditional look in a contemporary style, with quality furniture and artworks. Spacious marble bathrooms have Forte in-house toiletries.

Room types: Superior, Premium, Deluxe Rooms; Junior, Deluxe, Family, Repubblica, Artist, Presidential Suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, desk, air conditioning, TV, free Wi-Fi

The retro-look bistro, Irene's (named after the Forte family patriarch's mother and daughter), serves both a high quality buffet and à la carte breakfast both in the restaurant and on the piazza-facing terrace, and Tuscan specialities with a modern twist. Irene's also has a bar.

Irene: bistro restaurant, Tuscan cuisine. All-day dining, open daily.

Irene Bar: intimate bar with outdoor terrace, handcrafted cocktails and Champagne. Open Mon-Sat, 7am-10:30pm.