You’ve seen the photos. Those moody, dimly lit hallways and the kind of heavy wooden doors that look like they belong in a period drama. But honestly, NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is a bit of a weird one to explain to people who haven't stayed there. Most "luxury" hotels in Florence feel like they were decorated by someone who really loves gold leaf and velvet. This place? It feels like you’re sleeping inside a piece of living history that just happens to have high-speed Wi-Fi and really nice espresso machines.
It’s old. Like, 12th-century old.
Walking into the lobby, you aren't greeted by the smell of corporate cleaning supplies. Instead, it’s that specific, slightly dusty scent of ancient stone and wax. It’s located on Via Porta Rossa, right in the heart of the city, but it feels weirdly tucked away from the selfie-stick chaos of the Duomo. If you’re looking for a cookie-cutter stay where every room looks identical, you’re going to be very confused.
The Tower Nobody Actually Tells You About
The centerpiece of the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is the Monalda Tower. Most people walk past it without realizing they could literally sleep in it. This isn't just a gimmick. We are talking about a structure that survived the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and a couple of world wars.
The suite inside the tower is basically a vertical apartment. It’s got 360-degree views of Florence that make the climb (yes, there are stairs, though there's a lift for most of it) feel like a pilgrimage. Standing up there, looking out at the red-tiled roofs, you realize that most of the buildings you're looking at are younger than the walls you're leaning against.
It’s intimidating. Seriously.
But here is the thing: because it’s a protected historical site, they couldn't just knock down walls to make "standard" hotel layouts. This means every room is a puzzle. Some have frescoed ceilings that were painted hundreds of years ago by artists whose names are probably buried in a Florentine archive somewhere. Others have weird little nooks or windows that sit at floor level because that’s just where the light worked in the 1300s.
Why the Location Is a Double-Edged Sword
You're a two-minute walk from the Piazza della Signoria. Great, right?
💡 You might also like: Why the Nutty Putty Cave Seal is Permanent: What Most People Get Wrong About the John Jones Site
Well, yes and no. The NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is in a pedestrian-heavy zone. If you try to drive a rental car here, you will lose your mind and probably get a hefty fine from the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) cameras. Don’t do it. Just take a taxi or walk from the station.
The beauty of being on Via Porta Rossa is that you’re halfway between the high-end fashion of Via de' Tornabuoni and the leather stalls of the Mercato Nuovo. You can go buy a Gucci bag and then go rub the snout of the Porcellino (the bronze pig statue) for good luck in the same ten-minute span. It’s the sweet spot of Florence.
Savini Tartufi and the Truffle Obsession
Let’s talk about the food because, frankly, most hotel breakfasts are depressing. This one isn't. But the real star is the restaurant, Savini Tartufi.
If you don’t like truffles, you’re in the wrong place. They put them on everything. It’s a collaboration with the Savini family, who have been hunting truffles in Tuscany for four generations. We aren't talking about that fake, synthetic-smelling truffle oil you find in grocery stores. This is the real deal—pungent, earthy, and expensive.
I once talked to a local who said that eating at Porta Rossa is the only time they actually recommend a hotel restaurant to visitors. Usually, hotel food in Italy is a trap for tired tourists. Here, it’s a destination. The tagliolini with fresh truffle is simple. It’s basically just pasta, butter, and shavings of "black gold," but it ruins every other pasta dish for you for at least a week.
The Frescoes Aren't Fakes
There is a weird trend in "boutique" hotels where they hire a local art student to paint something that looks old. NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa doesn’t do that.
The frescoes in the common areas and some of the suites are genuine. They were restored by professionals who work on cathedrals. During the 19th-century renovations, many of these paintings were discovered under layers of plaster. It’s a bit like living in a museum where you’re allowed to touch the exhibits.
📖 Related: Atlantic Puffin Fratercula Arctica: Why These Clown-Faced Birds Are Way Tougher Than They Look
The stained glass in the lobby bar is another detail people miss. It was created by the Ulisse De Matteis studio. If you look closely at the glasswork while the afternoon sun hits it, the colors change in a way that modern glass just can’t replicate. It’s moody. It’s atmospheric. It’s very, very Florence.
What Most People Get Wrong About NH Collection Hotels
People see the "NH" brand and think of business hotels near airports in Madrid or Berlin. They expect sterile desks and blue carpets.
That is a mistake here.
The "Collection" tier is different, and the Porta Rossa is arguably the jewel in that crown. It’s the oldest hotel in Italy—or at least one of them, with records of an inn on this site dating back to 1386. The staff here aren't the typical corporate types; they have this weirdly deep knowledge of the building's architecture. Ask the concierge about the history of the Silk Guild that used to operate nearby, and they’ll likely give you a fifteen-minute history lesson.
The Reality of Staying in a 12th-Century Building
Look, I’m going to be honest with you.
Old buildings have quirks. The floors might creak. The elevators are sometimes small because, again, you can't exactly blast a massive shaft through medieval stone without the city council having a heart attack. If you need a massive, Vegas-style lobby with neon lights and a 24-hour Starbucks, you will hate it here.
But if you want to feel the weight of history, it’s unbeatable.
👉 See also: Madison WI to Denver: How to Actually Pull Off the Trip Without Losing Your Mind
The bathrooms are surprisingly modern, which is a relief. There is nothing worse than a "historic" hotel with a shower that has the water pressure of a leaky faucet. They’ve managed to wedge rain showers and marble tubs into spaces that were probably used for storing grain or wine six hundred years ago. It’s a feat of engineering, honestly.
Navigating the Room Categories
If you're booking, don't just click the cheapest option.
- Superior Rooms: These are the "entry-level" rooms. They’re nice, but they might be smaller than you expect.
- Premium Rooms: Usually have a bit more breathing room and better views of the street life below.
- Junior Suites: This is where you start seeing the frescoes.
- The Monalda Tower Suite: If you have the budget and want to feel like a Medici, this is the one. Just be prepared for the stairs.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay at NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa
If you’ve decided to pull the trigger and book a stay, there are a few things you need to do to actually enjoy it rather than just "staying" there.
First, skip the car. I cannot emphasize this enough. Take the train to Santa Maria Novella and either walk (it’s about 10-15 minutes) or take a short taxi ride. The streets around the hotel are narrow, cobbled, and full of tourists who will not move for your Fiat 500.
Second, book your dinner at Savini Tartufi when you book your room. It’s small. It fills up with locals and guests from other hotels. If you show up at 8:00 PM on a Friday hoping for a table, you’ll be eating a panini from a street vendor instead. Not that there’s anything wrong with a Florentine panini, but it’s not the same.
Third, look up. Seriously. In the lobby, in the bar, in your room—look at the ceilings. Most people spend their whole trip looking at their phones or the pavement. The architectural detail in the Porta Rossa is mostly above eye level.
Finally, embrace the quiet. Even though you are steps away from the bustling markets, the thick stone walls of the hotel act like a giant soundproof booth. It’s one of the few places in central Florence where you can actually hear yourself think.
Go to the bar around 6:00 PM. Order a Negroni—it was invented in Florence, after all. Sit under the stained glass and just exist for a minute. You’re sitting in a spot where people have been seeking shelter and a drink for over six hundred years. That’s not something you get at a Marriott.
This hotel isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a way to skip the line of the "modern" world and drop yourself directly into the Renaissance, but with better plumbing. Keep your expectations realistic regarding the "quirks" of an ancient building, and you’ll find it’s one of the most memorable stays in Europe.