T+L’s Hotel Review of The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564

It’s easy to walk right past the door of The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564. Set on a narrow, mostly residential street, a few blocks from teeming Piazza del Duomo amid Florence’s sea of arched doorways, green-painted shutters, and stoic façades, its modest exterior appears fairly unremarkable. But any trace of anonymity vanishes once you cross its threshold. The James is quite possibly the sexiest, most interesting new address in the city.

The hotel quietly opened in May as part of the Manfredi Collection, which includes some of Italy’s most exclusive stays, including Palazzo Manfredi in Rome and the clifftop Punta Tragara Hotel on the island of Capri.

The James is intimate, and its scale is more akin to a private residence; that’s what it was for centuries. The palace that now houses the hotel was built in 1564 as the home of the Cavagnari family. Today, family scion James Cavagnari, an award-winning architect, has transformed his childhood home into a space that still feels like a private residence, albeit one where the owners have exquisite taste and an eye for blending eclectic design elements. The result is a sense of refined, thought-provoking luxury that’s still delightfully inviting. (So yes, that might be a €20,000 couch in your suite, but it sure is comfortable enough for a nice afternoon nap.)

Although Florence was just outside the door, I found myself wanting to linger inside. Who would want to leave a sprawling super king–size bed fitted with crisp sheets, a sea of pillows, and a cushy topper, or rush out of a bathroom so beautifully designed? Every time I returned to my room from an outing, I felt the comforting vibe of home. And that must be some of what architect Cavagnari had in mind.

Read on for my full review of The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564.

The Rooms

Each of the hotel’s 14 suites are designed thoughtfully. Nothing is cookie-cutter here, as furnishings are either bespoke designs from the Cavagnari studio, antiques the architect collected during his international travels, or one-off pieces acquired for the hotel. Vintage posters, prints, and even Hermès scarves are framed as wall art. Particularly noticeable is Cavagnari’s eye for mixing midcentury modern furnishings, vintage lighting from Morocco, and older pieces that carry a story with them, such as a portable writing desk and a chair that folds into its own leather steamer trunk.

Suites start at the Deluxe Room category, which measures 366 square feet. A room I toured included original frescoes from the 1600s. My 645-square-foot Chaplin Suite was a sprawling beauty, with an oversized petroleum blue couch and contrasting ochre curtains that opened to a terrace overlooking Florence’s terracotta-tiled rooftops.

Most suites feature freestanding soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers, Dyson hairdryers, and Ortigia bath amenities. The king-size beds have thick mattress toppers that encourage late morning sleep-ins. For all guests, welcome amenities include a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and a selection of confectionery, which are replenished daily.

Food and Drink

With its tassel lampshades and chevron upholstery, The James Restaurant is the hotel’s whimsical ground-floor dining area. It offers a small menu of starters, pasta, and main courses of meat or fish, all prepared in an open kitchen. On the night I dined there, service was fast and courteous. The restaurant also doubles as the breakfast area, where guests can order from a menu of morning classics.

Also at the lobby level, 1564 Lounge Bar is the hotel’s most inviting public area. Spread across several vaulted and atrium spaces, the bar is named for the year the palace was constructed. It’s an atmospheric, sensual space—I couldn’t resist running my hand over the crushed velvet chairs—that echoes The James’ aesthetic of artfully mixing old and new. Hefty stone fireplaces and exposed travertine door frames share space with chandeliers of pink beaded glass, as well as low-slung lounge chairs and settees. Mixology is definitely a central theme here. And while a menu of wine and traditional cocktails is available, it’s a shame not to try one of the bar’s 13 signature cocktails, all created with a vaguely Florentine leitmotif. I sampled the pornstar martini (don’t judge) of gin, passion fruit, vanilla, and prosecco, as well as a smoky nero of gin, vermouth, Martini Vibrante, and lapsang souchong black tea, served under a smoke-filled dome.

In good weather, The James also opens its pleasant rooftop terrace, where the 1564 Lounge Bar menu is also available, alongside 360-degree views of the Florence skyline. Aperitivo snacks are offered with drinks in both bars, and a more substantial food menu is forthcoming.

Activities and Experiences

The James can arrange more than a dozen off-site experiences that explore the culinary, artisanal, and design heritage of Florence. Guests can opt for a market trip and cooking class led by the team at Cibrèo, the celebrated trattoria in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood.

Other options include visits to Florence’s storied leathermaking workshops or a tour and demonstration at Antico Setificio Fiorentino, the historic silk mill that still produces textiles with original 18th-century looms. Fashion hounds can schedule a guided tour of the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, private access to the Emilio Pucci archives, or private shopping and fittings with the city’s best tailors.

The Spa

The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 doesn’t have a spa or a gym.

Family-friendly Offerings

The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 has several suites that can accommodate two adults and a small child. However, it’s a quiet hotel with a mature vibe. So those traveling with kids may be more comfortable in a larger hotel with more diversions for little ones.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Two shallow steps lead into the hotel from street level, and there is no ramp. The lobby-level 1564 Lounge Bar and The James Restaurant are wheelchair accessible. Most suites are reachable via elevator, though a few require climbing a flight of stairs. The roof terrace can only be accessed by stairs.

The hotel’s small scale and sourcing of vintage furnishings favor sustainability. Rooms are stocked with refillable toiletries containers and glass water bottles. There are no single-use plastics.

Location

The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 is located on Via di Mezzo in the Sant’Ambrigio district, a neighborhood known for its colorful food and produce market. It is home to the Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Florence, which is just two blocks from the hotel. Piazza del Duomo, the city’s focal point, is a 10-minute walk. The Uffizi Galleries and the Ponte Vecchio are within a 15-minute stroll.

The closest international airport is Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR), a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Florence is also served by Pisa International Airport (PSA), which is about 1 hour away by car. Flights here are mostly from within Europe, and it is a hub for budget airline RyanAir.

Florence’s main train station, Santa Maria Novella, is a 25-minute walk from the hotel. Guests who book suites or junior suites can take advantage of free pick-up or drop-off at the train station or Peretola airport.

Book Now

The hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s SLH Club loyalty program, where members receive special rates, flexible check-in and check-out times, and complimentary WiFi. Hilton Honors members can also use points to book a stay at The James and enjoy various perks based on their status.

Nightly rates at The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 start from €470 ($551) for a Deluxe Room.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.