Photos courtesy of Grand Hotel Villa Cora
Baron Oppenheim built this Neo-Classical villa in 1865 to celebrate his love for his wife. The elite of Florence, which was the capital of Italy at the time, coveted invitations to the magnificent balls held here. His wife, however, became enamored of one of their guests, and Baron Oppenheim, so incensed at her infidelity, set out to torch the villa. The chief of police found out about it and dissuaded him from such an act. Oppenheim sold the residence and left Florence.
The ex-empress Eugenia, widow of Napoleon III, moved in and continued on with the elegant gatherings of Florence’s noble families. She was followed by Baroness Von Meck, patroness of Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky.
Eventually, the villa fell into neglect and was abandoned. Furnishings were sold or lost. The hotel remained in this state of disrepair for nearly 30 years before its rescue and eventual conversion into a hotel.
Pamela’s Perspective
This hotel is a wonderful choice for those who want to be in a quiet neighborhood of Florence. The hotel provides limo service into the center of the city, or you can take a lovely 20-minute stroll along a leafy, canopied street with birds twittering in the trees, passing by the Bobili Gardens and Pitti Palace on the way to the Ponte Vecchio.
Rooms can be located in the main villa, an outbuilding by the pool, or the guard house, I would request a room in the main villa.
Grand Hotel Villa Cora
A 19th-century manor
Contact
Viale Machiavelli, 18
50125 Florence
Tel: ++39 055 229 8451
Fax: ++39 055 229 086
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
46 rooms, including 29 doubles
and 15 suites
Some rooms in adjacent
building
Double rooms: from 250 euros
Suites: from 420 euros
Tax not included.
Specials available
Open: all year
Getting there
The Grand Villa Cora is a 5-minute drive from the center of Florence. A free shuttle goes to and from the city center (weekdays only). Walking takes about 20 minutes.
What to do
On site: swimming pool
Nearby: the museums and churches of Florence; golf;
tennis; spa
Weddings
Yes. Inquire hotel for details.
You would never know you were only five minutes away from the heart of Florence when you stroll through the manicured gardens and take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool of this peaceful villa/palace.
Interior are grand and sumptuous as befits a palace but not over the top like so many of Florence’s hotels.
Antiques (with some reproductions), Oriental carpets, and painted murals on high ceilings are featured in the public areas and the guest rooms, which are well appointed with creamy white marble bathrooms.
A solarium on the roof, which is available to guests, has wonderful views of Florence.
From May to September dining is at the “Verandah Restaurant” out by the pool.
Something special
Peaceful atmosphere in one of Florence’s exclusive residential neighborhoods