In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 36 guest reviews of The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence. Guests in the sample highlight Location, Service & staff and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Guests often mention that it is expensive. Several found the breakfast choice limited or mediocre for a hotel of this class.
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Located on the banks of River Arno in Florence's historic Piazza Ognissanti, "The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence" offers luxurious rooms and suites, many overlooking the river and the Oltrarno area. Ponte Vecchio is 900 metres away.
Air-conditioned rooms at the Excelsior feature stylish furniture and Carrara-marble bathrooms. Each room has a flat-screen TV with international channels and the Luxury Collection bed.
A varied buffet breakfast is provided daily in the elegant Sala Caminetto hall. During the day you can relax with a drink on one of the hotel's terraces with city views. For dinner, the restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine.
You can book spa treatments and make use of the wellness centre at a partner hotel located opposite the property.
The 5-star Excelsior is 500 metres from Santa Maria Novella Train Station and a short walk from the historical centre. It is surrounded by some of city's most popular restaurants and designer boutiques.
Tripplo’s hotel summary
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 20 October 2026 · How we review hotels
The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence is best for travellers seeking quiet riverside views and scenic rooftop dining. The property offers historic Renaissance-style interiors and a location in the tranquil Piazza Ognissanti. Guests can enjoy dining overlooking the city, though they should anticipate high rates during the peak season and extra fees for valet parking.
Guests score it 9.2 out of 10 — the average across the 15 hotels we list in Florence is 9.4.
- Many guest rooms and suites feature private balconies framing views of the Arno River and the historic Oltrarno neighborhood, offering a classic Florentine backdrop.
- Situated in a quieter square just a short walk from the crowded historic center, the hotel provides a peaceful retreat from Florence's busy tourist tracks.
- Pricing increases significantly during the summer months and holidays. Booking well in advance or visiting during the shoulder season offers a more balanced value.
- While on-site parking is convenient for road trips through Tuscany, the daily valet charge is premium. Guests arriving by train might prefer utilizing the nearby Santa Maria Novella station.
Free PDF: what guests really say about The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
- The complaints that come up again and again
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Should you book it?
Book it if you want
- Travellers who want a quieter base within walking distance of the old town
- Guests who want the view from the room
- Travellers wanting a view and quiet in one place
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Prices at The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence
When we last checked (23 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €1,532 in total (€766 per night).
Across our last 30 daily price checks, the nightly rate has ranged from €611 to €1,266.
Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 36 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +Top-notch dinners at the rooftop restaurant, with a wonderful setting
- +Breakfast offers both hot and cold dishes
- +The roof garden is perfect for lunch or drinks
- –Several found the breakfast choice limited or mediocre for a hotel of this class
- –Breakfast staff can seem inattentive
- –The rooftop restaurant and bar were closed for refurbishment during one stay
”The rooftop restaurant staff were amazing and the dinner was absolutely top-notch.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Outstanding reception and concierge teams who book museum tickets and help plan day trips
- +Friendly, attentive staff throughout the hotel
- +Staff go out of their way to make special occasions memorable
- –Slow service at the rooftop bar when it is busy
- –Valet parking draws criticism
- –Housekeeping can come at inconvenient times
”The staff are incredibly accommodating, especially the reception and concierge teams, who are exceptionally friendly and helpful.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Comfortable, spacious rooms, some with views of the river
- +Very comfortable beds and soft sheets, with a choice of pillows
- –Some rooms and bathrooms feel dated
- –No coffee machine in the room
”The beds are so comfortable and the sheets are soft.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Very clean rooms and public areas
- +An impressive historic building in excellent condition
- –Kitchen smells can reach the upper floors
- –One guest found the cleaning below standard
”The staff, the facilities and the cleanliness were all wonderful.” — guest, translated
Location
- +On the banks of the Arno, close to the historic centre
- +Florence's main museums and sights are within walking distance
- +Fine views of the river and from the terrace
”An amazing location by the river, within walking distance of all the top attractions in Florence.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Guests often mention that it is expensive
- –Extra charges such as valet parking fees can come as a surprise
- –Some feel the breakfast falls short for the price
”The prices are high.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark and noise levels are mentioned too rarely in the sample for an honest picture — we don't guess.
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Frequently asked questions
How far is The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence from Florence Airport (FLR)?
The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence is approximately 5.3 km from Florence Airport (FLR) in a straight line, calculated from map coordinates. This is not a road distance or transfer time; check the route and transport options before booking.
How do guests rate The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence?
The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence is rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google, based on 1,728 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 9.2/10 from 99 guest reviews.
How many stars does The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence have?
The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence offer?
The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence offers free Wifi, parking, family rooms, non-smoking rooms, 2 restaurants and fitness center.
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Piazza Ognissanti 3, Santa Maria Novella