Florence

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Palazzo Favard

A grand Florentine residence overlooking the Arno

Panoramic views along the Arno and towards the hills beyond from the balcony

Palazzo Favard on Florence’s Lungarno Vespucci

Grand entrance gallery

Grand living room with three French doors opening onto the Arno-facing balcony

Dining room overlooking the Arno

Fully equipped contemporary marble kitchen

Wood-panelled library connecting the principal suite and living room

Principal bedroom with bespoke four-poster bed

Principal marble bathroom with double vanity and steam shower

Bedroom II is spacious double bedroom with views towards the Arno

Ensuite marble bathroom with walk-in shower

Bright double or twin, bedroom III has two large windows

Ensuite marble bathroom with freestanding bathtub and walk-in shower

Bedroom IV is a double with a freestanding tub and ensuite with shower and washbasin

Queen bedroom connecting to Bedroom IV to create a private family suite

Ensuite marble bathroom with walk-in shower

Palazzo Favard

Florence

Occupying the piano nobile of an elegant Florentine building, Palazzo Favard is a distinguished 5 bedroom apartment overlooking the Arno. Set in one of the city's most elegant residential neighbourhoods, it is just a short walk from both Florence's historic centre and the authentic atmosphere of the Oltrarno, with its artisan workshops, cafés and traditional restaurants.

5 BR

Florence International airport 7km

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OVERVIEW

Palazzo Favard preserves the character and generous proportions of a historic Florentine family residence while offering the comfort expected of a contemporary stay. Filled with natural light, its grand reception rooms unfold one into another, creating a sequence of elegant spaces for entertaining, dining and quiet relaxation.

Collected furnishings, artworks, books and antiques give the interiors the warmth of a private home rather than a formal historic residence. A thoughtful restoration has preserved the apartment’s original architectural details, including elegant wall panelling and herringbone parquet floors, while introducing contemporary comforts with remarkable discretion. The result is a residence that feels both timeless and effortlessly liveable, equally suited to entertaining or everyday family life.

Three French doors from the drawing room open onto a balcony overlooking the Arno, while one of the guest bedrooms enjoys a private terrace facing the mature gardens to the rear.

Outdoors

From its balcony overlooking the Arno, the palazzo enjoys panoramic views towards Florence’s historic skyline, San Miniato al Monte and the greenery of the Cascine Park.
Florence’s historic centre is an easy walk away, including Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the city’s principal museums and landmarks.
Via Tornabuoni and Florence’s main shopping streets, with designer boutiques and historic shops, are within easy walking distance.
Across the river lies the Oltrarno, Florence’s more intimate and lived-in quarter, with artisan workshops, independent restaurants and wine bars, antique shops and lively neighbourhood piazzas. Via Maggio, Santo Spirito and San Frediano are all easily reached on foot.
Mercato Centrale, housed in its historic iron-and-glass market hall, is a lively place to browse Florentine produce and food stalls, stop for lunch or simply experience the everyday rhythm of the city.
Hidden away in the Oltrarno, Serre Torrigiani is a garden retreat tucked among mature trees and historic greenhouses – an atmospheric spot for a relaxed lunch, aperitivo or evening drink.
The Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, home to Florence’s opera and classical music season, is within walking distance, while the nearby Cascine Park offers plenty of space for walking, jogging, cycling or spending time outdoors with children.
Palazzo Strozzi’s programme of major temporary exhibitions offers an ever-changing cultural reason to return to Florence.
A stone’s throw from the apartment, the Westin Excelsior’s recently opened Cosimo Rooftop is an elegant option for an aperitivo or dinner overlooking the city.

Indoors

475 sq m occupying the piano nobile of a nineteenth-century palazzo.
Five ensuite double bedrooms accommodating up to 10 guests.
Principal suite with private wood-panelled library, generous dressing room and marble bathroom with hammam.
Two interconnected guest bedrooms that may also function as an independent family suite while retaining separate corridor access.
Grand drawing room with 3 large french windows opening onto a long balcony overlooking the Arno river
Elegant dining room seating up to 10 guests.
Contemporary fully equipped marble kitchen suitable for both every use and private chefs.
High end marble ensuite bathrooms throughout.
High ceilings, original proportions, herringbone oak parquet flooring and exceptional natural light.
Additional ensuite bedroom available for a nanny or household staff.
The apartment is equipped for guests with reduced mobility and is served by an accessible elevator

DETAILS

Amenities

Air conditioning
Wi-Fi
Turkish bath in the Master bedroom
Safe in the Master bedroom
Screened windows in the bedrooms
Elevator
Hairdryer in each bathroom, bath gift set with soap, shampoo, shower gel and body lotion.
Cots, cradles, high chairs, wheelchair, can be easily provided

Staff | Service included

Daily maid service
English-speaking Concierge available on call
Weekly bed and bath linen change

Staff | Service on request

Parking
Full-time Concierge
Cook. The cook will be able to accommodate the dining guests using the house equipment. Any event involving a larger party has to be agreed with the management
Grocery shopping
Personal laundry
Additional maid service
Midweek linen change

FLOORPLANS

To receive the floor plans of this villa contact Katharina or Gaia at contact@excellence.villas

THE AREA

Distances

There are 2 paid indoor parking garages just a 4-minute walk from the apartment Parcheggio Garage Il Prato, and Garage Ognissanti
Florence airport 7 kilometres by car
Railway station Santa Maria Novella 150 metres by foot.
Several private parking options are available nearby, including two just a 4-minute walk from the apartment.
The apartment is situated in the most exclusive area of Florence, above the Arno River adjacent to the US Consulate and the Polimoda Firenze Fashion Institute. It is also within walking distance of via Tornabuoni, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Duomo.
Food shops and restaurants within walking distance.
The Duomo (cathedral) of Florence 1km – 20 minutes on foot
San Lorenzo Church and the main food 1km – 20 minutes on foot
Ponte Vecchio 1km – 15 minutes on foot
Piazza della Signoria 1km – 20 minutes on foot
Basilica of Santa Croce 2 km – 20 minutes on foot
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Garden 1 km – 20 minutes on foot
Fiesole 10 km – 30 minutes drive
Greve in Chianti 30 km – 45 minutes drive
San Gimignano 50 km – 1 hour drive
Siena 70 km – 1 hour drive
Arezzo 80 km – 1 hour drive
Venice 265 km – 3 hours drive or 2 hours by train
Rome 300 km – 3 hours drive or 1 hour by train

Things to do

Florence: The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
Badia a Passignano: The splendid monastery of Badia a Passignano takes the form of a quadrangular fortified monastic complex with corner towers. Towards the middle of the 15 C the convent was augmented by the addition of cloisters and a wall. Information regarding the year of the Badia’s foundation is unclear. In 1049 Badia passed into the Vallombrosano order, a reformed branch of the Benedictines. In 1545, the abbey became an important theological, literary and scientific study centre; the monastery chronicles report that Galileo Galilei taught mathematics here from 1587-1588. The monastery is still today occupied by the Valombrosiani monk community.
Castellina in Chianti. A small medieval town nestled at the top of a rolling green hill at an altitude of 578m. Via Ferrucci, a pedestrian zone, is the main street and home to a number of restaurants, some with outdoor seating. Castellina is dominated by its early 15th century castle, home to the Archaeological Museum of Chianti Senese displaying ancient artifacts from area excavations, including many from the Etruscan settlements of the area. The parish church San Salvatore contains an important fresco of the enthroned Madonna attributed to Bicci di Lorenzo.
Panzano: This picturesque town is well worth a wander and which features gorgeous views of the surrounding vineyards. Be sure to drift behind the square where you will find the old fortress and the Church of Santa Maria. The town is home to world famous butcher Dario Cecchini and his eatery, ideal for a hearty lunch. If you’re looking to do some shopping, track down Verso x Verso for custom designed leather goods. Just outside Panzano stands the beautiful 12th C parish church of San Leolino which houses precious pieces of sacred artwork.
Montefioralle: A tiny hilltop hamlet of Montefioralle, worth the detour from Greve. Leave the car in the parking just outside the wall (piazza Santo Stefano) and walk the narrow cobbled streets of this small borgo that started its life as a castle. Get the camera ready for some very picturesque scenes.
Greve in Chianti: A charming town with a delightful main square surrounded by porticos and pottery shops and other artisanal boutiques. On Saturdays this square hosts a weekly market and you can further enjoy the square’s ambiance over a delicious cappuccino and pastry at the Pasticceria Chianti.
Radda: Majestically perched on a hill and surrounded by a sea of green, this alluring town’s position is truly spectacular. It has a medieval walkway and main square, where the Palazzo del Podestà displays its coats of arms and elegant arches. This palace had been the headquarters of the Chianti League, a military-political organisation that controlled this territory under Florence rule, for over four centuries. Opposite is the Neo-Romanesque Church of San Niccolò.
Brolio Castle: Brolio is one of the oldest wineries in the world and is where the Chianti style of wine was “born.” This is the former home of the extremely wealthy Ricasoli family who has owned the estate since 1167. You can visit the castle and the gardens on your own or book one of their guided tours which includes the history of the estate, its wine-making facilities, cellars where Brolio’s wine is aged, and concludes with a wine tasting. The village a also a good restaurant, the Osteria di Brolio
Castello di Ama. This tiny hamlet is the unexpected setting for museum-worthy contemporary art. The “town’s” handful of handsome buildings are now part of the Castello di Ama winery — one of Chianti’s finest — and house some of the works that the winery began commissioning over a decade ago. Today the collection consists of a dozen permanent pieces, including works by Anish Kapoor and Kendell Geers. Their two-hour guided visit includes the winery, the artwork and a tasting of the estate’s olive oil and wines (€35; book in advance)
San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometers outside the town. The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, grown in the area.
Siena: The Sienese have no doubt, their town is the most beautiful in all of Tuscany, if not all of Italy. Siena has remained a Gothic city. Renaissance, one of the major influences in Florence, hardly affected the urban development of Siena. The city unfolds around the main shell-shaped square called “Il Campo.” Twice a year the famous horse race known as the “Palio” takes place here. The narrow streets are lined with old shops and small cafes, while churches and museums are real treasures of the fourteenth century.
The seashore: the sandy beaches along the coast of Versilia at turn of the century Viareggio and fashionable Forte dei Marmi with their trendy bars, designer shopping and some of the best seafood restaurants in Italy
Hot Springs: In Tuscany there are several natural hot springs fed by volcanic water from 30 to 55 degrees Celsius. Some of them have been known from Etruscan and roman times like Calidario and Saturnia. You can add to your holiday in Tuscany a day in a thermal hot spring

To receive a complete overview of activities and sightseeing in the area, contact Katharina or Gaia at contact@excellence.villas We will promptly email you an exhaustive document.

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