Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Assortment

Within the U.S., the Auberge Resorts Assortment is thought for managing a number of the nation’s finest luxurious accommodations—a number of of which have made appearances in Journey + Leisure‘s World’s Greatest Awards and the It Listing. In Europe, although, the model continues to be a relative newcomer, and after having stayed at a number of Auberge properties in America (together with Maine’s White Barn Inn, The Vanderbilt in Newport, Rhode Island, and Mauna Lani in Hawaii) I arrived in Florence to see what their very first lodge in Italy was all about.

It’s, in any case, a giant deal for each the town and the corporate—many of the high-end accommodations in Florence are situated within the dense metropolis heart. They often occupy former palazzi (townhouses relationship again to the fifteenth and Sixteenth centuries) and have restricted area for facilities. However what I discovered at Collegio alla Querce is wholly completely different from the remainder of Florence’s lodge scene.

My first glimpse of the property got here after a 15-minute taxi journey from Santa Maria Novella, the town’s primary practice station. Anybody who’s stayed within the heart of Florence will really feel the distinction instantly: the upscale residential neighborhood of hillside villas gave method to a protracted, gently sloping, cypress-lined driveway revealing a good-looking Sixteenth-century constructing surrounded by greenery. In its former life, Collegio alla Querce was an all-male boarding faculty meant for the sons of well-to-do households. From the south aspect of the property, there’s a view out in direction of the terracotta-roofed, Renaissance-era buildings of the town’s historic heart, and on the opposite aspect are villa-dotted hills. There’s a big swimming pool on the alternative finish of the doorway—it is reportedly the longest outside lodge pool within the metropolis at 115 ft.

Except for the visually gorgeous exterior renovation, the principle factor I seen concerning the property was how quiet it was. Birdsong was the first soundtrack, and the vacationer cacophony of the Centro Storico, lower than two miles away, felt very distant. The interiors, in the meantime, designed by native studio ArchFlorence, felt like a glossy, palatial variation of the Tuscan countryside aesthetic.

However rustic this property isn’t, and strolling by means of the hushed, pristine hallways and customary areas swathed in shiny marble, creamy limestone, polished terrazzo flooring, and tasteful paintings, it occurred to me greater than as soon as that the lodge would have made an ideal set piece for an episode of Succession. Nonetheless, the environment was energetic and heat, and the employees unfailingly gracious. Undoubtedly, although, Collegio alla Querce will enchantment to a largely American traveler who’s used to very costly luxurious resorts and the seamless, “no request is simply too massive” service to match.  

Here is what it is like to remain on the Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Assortment.

The Rooms

There are 83 rooms and suites on the Collegio alla Querce. I stayed in an enormous 1,600-square-foot one-bedroom suite, and I cherished the considerate design particulars. There have been coffered wooden ceilings, a glazed ox blood tile-covered bathe, a tv discreetly hidden behind a mirror in the lounge, parquet wooden flooring, and a stand-alone soaking tub. There have been additionally attractive ceramics positioned all through the room that have been sourced from native makers Studio Ceramica Giusti, and customized furnishings made by Milan-based Paolo Castelli. 

Throughout my keep, I additionally toured a number of lodging, and I seen a couple of issues. Every unit had a barely completely different character whereas nonetheless feeling a part of a unified aesthetic. For instance, in one of many normal rooms I visited, beautiful hand-painted wallpaper depicting the Tuscan countryside adorned one of many partitions. The Suite Giardino, which felt like a personal condo, featured restored frescoes and a stone fountain. On the prime finish of the spectrum is the seven-bedroom Palazzo Moderno, a three-story, 6,258 square-foot area accessible by a personal driveway and elevator. It comes with a sequence of huge rooftop terraces, views of the Duomo, and a personal plunge pool. 

Meals and Drink

Collegio presents 4 meals and beverage choices, the first venue being La Gamella, which is adjoining to a verdant outside backyard with patio seating. The area occupies the constructing’s former eating corridor. My days began right here with a fantastically introduced buffet desk full of things like bread, pastries, yogurt, contemporary fruit, and meats like bacon and sausage. There was additionally an à la carte menu for extra elaborate egg dishes, brioche French toast, ricotta pancakes, and the like. 

La Gamella shines brightest at dinner, although. Chef Zamperetti created a menu that riffs on seasonal Italian classics, with produce sourced from close by farms and pasta handmade on web site. Amongst my favourite dishes have been the wood-fired rooster cacciatore served with spring potatoes and shallots, the Mediterranean bluefin tuna tartare, and a luscious millefoglie for dessert—caramelized puff pastry embellished with a wealthy vanilla cream and a splash of apricot sauce. For a enjoyable after-dinner deal with, head to Conservatorio, the place you may get pleasure from a glass of wine together with dwell music.

Elsewhere, there’s a very atmospheric lounge, Bar Bertelli, which was as soon as the headmaster’s workplace. Half library, half sitting room, it has darkish woods, vintage rugs, and richly patterned textiles. Friends can order craft cocktails on the round bar, and for individuals who indulge, there’s a small, clandestine cigar room simply off the doorway. And whereas it wasn’t but open on my go to, you may quickly have the ability to order wood-fired pizza on the poolside Cafe Focolare amidst a backyard of olive bushes. 

Actions and Experiences

Except for the facilities just like the pool, spa, gymnasium, and yoga studio, Collegio presents an array of experiences, each on and off-property. Throughout my keep, I did two of them. The primary was a tour of the Florence Cathedral (extra generally often called the Duomo), which was accomplished in 1436 and conceived primarily by architect Filippo Brunelleschi. For over two hours, my group had up-close entry to this unbelievable feat of engineering—we even obtained entry to the elevated walkways, so we might see the inside of the intricately painted dome. We additionally went out on an outside rooftop for gorgeous views of Florence. (Honest warning: it’s in all probability not the very best tour for these afraid of heights, and I needed to go away the tour early once we have been about to climb to the very prime of the Duomo, which is over 375 ft excessive). 

The second was a enjoyable and academic 90-minute pasta-making class at Cicchetti with chef Zamperetti. She spoke concerning the varied forms of pasta discovered all through Italy, offered perception into how the restaurant sources produce and substances, and answered questions on Italian cooking with the data of a real professional. After practising kneading, sheeting, filling, and shaping our tortellini, I left with some new expertise to attempt again dwelling. 

The Spa

Aelia, the lodge’s spa, has an uncommon setup: it’s a extremely individualized expertise, and there are not any locker rooms. As a substitute, friends are led from a lounge that overlooks an outside terrace and backyard into considered one of 4 therapy rooms—two single rooms with personal altering areas and showers, or two bigger suites, every with their very own soaking swimming pools and steam showers. (For these seeking to sauna, you may must ebook a time as there is no such thing as a communal sauna.) The setting contains murals of olive bushes throughout the partitions, whereas an precise olive tree acts because the centerpiece—a pleasant contact.

The spa has a partnership with Italian skincare model Furtuna Pores and skin, and my therapist used its merchandise for my therapeutic massage and facial. These comprise potent, wild-foraged botanicals and olive extract sourced from Furtuna’s 800-acre natural farm in Sicily. Except for spa remedies, there’s a collection of courses like yoga, pilates, meditation periods, private coaching, and a very good gymnasium with state-of-the-art gear.

Household-friendly Choices

Throughout my keep, I noticed a number of households checking in and having fun with meals collectively, and the property has even developed a whole wellness program particularly for kids ages 5 to 12. Choices embody yoga for youths and a sound bathtub workshop, the place contributors can discover using gongs, chimes, and singing bowls. Different kid-friendly choices abound, like a pasta-making class, pastry making, and the “My Comfortable Florence” tour, which is tailor-made in direction of households. It features a go to to a preserved Sixteenth-century dwelling to study concerning the traditions and every day lifetime of Renaissance Florence. There’s additionally a cease at Museo Galileo for instructional hands-on science displays, in addition to gelato tasting and conferences with native artisans.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Being a renovated historic property, fairly than a brand new construct, implies that sustainability is an inherent characteristic of this lodge. Throughout my time right here, I by no means noticed any single-use plastic, and all in-room water bottles have been made from glass. 

When it comes to accessibility, the lodge has made most of the pathways wheelchair-friendly, together with routes to the swimming pool, restaurant, spa, and all visitor rooms. There are additionally accessible parking areas within the self-parking facility and a collection of accessible visitor rooms.

Location

From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the principle practice station in Florence, it’s a fast and simple 15-minute taxi journey to the property, and it takes about the identical period of time to get to the lodge from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (FLR). Since there are not any nonstop flights from the U.S. to Florence, many guests arrive from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Worldwide Airport (FCO) or Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Milan. They’re each lower than two hours’ distance by way of high-speed rail, or a 3 or three-and-a-half-hour drive, respectively. 

The placement is likely one of the defining traits of the property, since nearly each comparable lodge on this worth vary is close to or within the metropolis heart. However there are benefits to this quiet, residential neighborhood on Florence’s north aspect. Regardless of the sensation of being in considered one of Tuscany’s small villages, it’s nonetheless doable to stroll into city, which I did sooner or later in about half-hour. It allowed me to pleasantly cross by means of locations that have been off the vacationer map, and I obtained to poke my head into little outlets, parks, and cafes. There’s additionally a complimentary shuttle that leaves each hour to take friends to and from the middle of Florence.

The best way to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

There’s no getting round the truth that rooms at Collegio alla Querce are a number of the priciest in Europe, and Auberge Resorts doesn’t have a loyalty program. Nevertheless, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Assortment is a part of American Specific’ Fantastic Lodges + Resorts program, which presents advantages like a $100 resort credit score, early check-in, late checkout, and (when out there) a room improve. For those who ebook your keep earlier than Could 23 and go to by Could 26, you may get a complimentary third evening when you make your reservation by means of the FHR platform.

Nightly charges on the Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Assortment begin at $1,600 per evening.

Each T+L lodge evaluation is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.