If you are interested in the sights and the culture of Florence AND you want to stay in a real luxury hotel right in the middle of it all Rocco Forte`s Savoy Hotel is a perfect choice. No other five-star-property is so “centrallisima”, located between the famous Ponte Vecchio and the impressive Duomo. The Savoy at the Piazza della Repubblica is a pricy, classy place with an excellent restaurant (Irene) that also has outdoor seating (ideal for watching the “theatre of people”). It has recently been refurbished with a modern touch and the number of rooms were reduced from 102 to 80. Great staff, great Concierge. Angela Merkel stays here. All in all: A luxury oasis close to all cultural treasures of Florence and also close to the designer stores of Via Tornabuoni.