Oltrarno Splendid, Florence

• Interiors are beautifully restored works of art, featuring revitalized frescoes, ornate crown molding, and textured walls, with one King Room having original Toile de Jouy wallpaper.
• Staff and owners (Matteo and Betty) are incredibly enthusiastic about their city; they'll provide you with tips and recommendations for dining out and shopping in the area.
• You'll be in a prime location in the trendy Oltrarno district, surrounded by plenty of artisan shops, cafés, and restaurants, and a stone's throw away from major sights like the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, and Boboli Gardens.
• The breakfast buffet is extensive, serving quality cold cuts, cheeses, fresh fruit, flaky croissants and pastries, and a personal barista doubles as a cook, preparing made-to-order omelets.
• King beds and deep soaking tubs suit even the tallest of travelers.

• While an elevator brings you up to the B&B's first floor, Oltrarno Splendid itself isn't adapted for those with limited mobility (a staircase connects the two floors). You'll want to request a room on the first floor.
• There's limited street parking; a nearby garage is available for a daily rate.

Authenticity

Eighteenth-century Oltrarno Splendid is a living work of art. Its historic, thoughtfully restored spaces—complete with tall ceilings, elaborate crown molding, and original frescoed walls in earthy colors—set the stage for the owners' upcycled treasures and vintage finds. Antique maps, mechanical toys, and other salvaged curios mingle with modern comforts, creating a homey space that feels genuinely Italian if not Florentine: rich in history, creativity, and full of character. The neighborhood, too, offers a more authentic, less touristy side of Florence, where Renaissance grandeur meets everyday local life.

Location

Lying on the posh end of Via dei Serragali in the less crowded and more authentic Florentine neighborhood of Oltrarno, the guesthouse sits just across the Arno River and a 2-minute walk away from Ponte alla Carraia. You can stroll to the Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and lively Piazza Santo Spirito in minutes (5-15 minutes to be exact), while artisan workshops, boutiques, and cozy trattorias pack the surrounding streets. Garage parking is available nearby. Shuttle buses and a tramline run daily from the city's airport, and it's only a 5-minute taxi ride from Santa Maria Novella train station.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Fourteen artfully decorated rooms are individually styled (some with claw-foot bathtubs directly in bedrooms), showcasing an eclectic array of curated thrifts and plush velvet textiles all set among restored frescoes and preserved wallpaper. You'll find king-size beds, impressively tall ceilings, and modern comforts, including air-conditioning and espresso machines, and beautiful, tiled en suite bathrooms with rainfall showers carry C.O. Bigelow bath products, robes, and slippers. Views stretch across the city's terracotta rooftops or the quiet Via dei Serragli below, though for a view of the cathedral's Duomo, secure one of the King Rooms.

Amenities

Guests can enjoy a generous buffet breakfast of fruit, local cheeses, prosciutto, and pastries in the sunlit top-floor dining room, where tea and coffee are also available throughout the day. There are also honesty bars on both floors where you can grab a beer or soft drink, while a concierge service and self-check-in option for late arrivals are available, too.

Family-Friendliness

Rooms accommodate up to two adults, although an extra bed can be provided for children over three years old (for an additional fee). Parents with stroller-aged kiddos may want to know that a staircase connects the two floors of the B&B (no elevator available).