Inside a 16th-century palazzo, 30 rooms and suites bring together Florentine craftsmanship, pastel interiors and a rather tempting Champagne button.
A brass button marked “Press for Champagne” offers one clue to the mood at Palazzo Sogni, a new five-star hotel on Florence’s Via de’ Martelli. Restored frescoes, bespoke silk jacquards and onyx bathrooms provide the setting, while the Duomo, just a short walk away, makes an appearance from the rooftop.
Opened in October 2026, the 30-room hotel occupies a Renaissance palazzo whose transformation places as much emphasis on decorative detail as on its central address. Behind the project are entrepreneur and hotelier Andrea Cecchi and creative directors Elena and Giulia Sella, whose approach introduces a playful contemporary layer to the building’s historic interiors.
A Florentine palazzo with centuries of stories
Originally part of Palazzo Testa, the building dates to the 16th century and was constructed by the Martelli family. Its history unfolds through painted ceilings, architectural details and a monumental stone fountain at the centre of the nymphaeum.
The frescoes became a central part of the restoration. A team connected to Florence’s Accademia di Belle Arti, coordinated by Francesca Marsini, removed later layers of paint to uncover decorations spanning the 17th to the early 19th centuries. These include works by Luigi Catani, the Florentine painter whose commissions also took him to Palazzo Pitti.
That conservation work gives the hotel its visual starting point. Colours and motifs from the historic paintings reappear in fabrics, furnishings and smaller decorative details, connecting the new interiors to the rooms around them.
Thirty rooms, fresco-inspired colours and Florentine craftsmanship
Powder blue, sage green and ivory run through Palazzo Sogni’s rooms and suites, with brass accents, embroidered silks and velvet adding texture. Custom furniture made by Florentine artisans sits alongside restored architectural features, while luminous onyx surfaces give the bathrooms a distinctive material character.
The bespoke textiles deserve a closer look. Developed with Alessandro Bini, the hotel’s Floral Butterfly pattern is woven in silk-based jacquard, its palette drawing on the frescoes. Pale blue, powder pink, sage and ochre carry the decorative story from the ceilings into the fabrics.
Rivolta Carmignani bed linen and Santa Maria Novella amenities continue the attention to Italian makers. Then comes that bedside Champagne button, a small, knowingly theatrical addition to the historic surroundings.
Italian cooking beside a Renaissance courtyard
At Segreto, the hotel’s signature restaurant, botanical interiors and views towards the courtyard garden establish a more intimate setting. The historic fountain becomes part of the backdrop, with natural materials and soft lighting carrying the atmosphere indoors.
Tommaso Querini has created the menu alongside chef Vito Mollica, drawing on contemporary Italian cooking and seasonal ingredients. Among the signature dishes, Uovo Segreto combines potato and leek foam with fresh white truffle when in season. Risotto Segreto brings together cauliflower cream and almond ragù, exploring texture through a quieter combination of flavours.
The hotel’s tableware adds another Florentine connection. Ginori 1735’s Antico Doccia collection has been customised in Palazzo Sogni’s signature powder blue, with floral and butterfly decorations extending to plates, cups and the tea service.
A rooftop overlooking the Duomo
For many travellers, Sotto le Stelle rooftop will be the address to remember. Views towards the cathedral’s dome frame a programme of wine tastings, cocktails, music and live cooking.
Elsewhere, La Sala della Musica pairs original frescoes with a private terrace, providing a setting for afternoon tea and private gatherings. The Wine Library takes a more secluded approach, with tastings centred on Tuscan winemaking and a hidden vault holding some of the hotel’s rarest bottles.
These spaces give the small hotel several distinct moods, from a frescoed salon to an evening spent looking across Florence’s rooftops.
A small spa and access to the city’s artisans
The spa follows an intimate format, with onyx and marble interiors, a Turkish bath, sensory shower and treatment rooms using Biologique Recherche products.
Beyond the hotel, the concierge programme focuses on Florence’s artistic and craft traditions. Visits to private galleries, workshops and ateliers sit alongside experiences connected to Ginori porcelain and Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Further afield, guests can arrange boat trips on the Arno or helicopter excursions over Chianti.
Yet the location makes a less structured day equally appealing. With the cathedral close by and Florence’s historic centre on the doorstep, Palazzo Sogni lends itself to mornings exploring the city, followed by a return to frescoed rooms and a rooftop drink with the dome in view.
Contact and Discover More
For those looking to embark on a romantic escape, Palazzo Sogni’s official website –www.palazzosogni.com – offers further insights into their experience and location. Situated near iconic sights, the hotel positions itself as an ideal base for exploring the romantic charms of Florence.
In launching Palazzo Sogni, Andrea Cecchi, alongside the talented Sella sisters, is not just offering a place to stay; they are weaving a contextual tapestry of art, history, and imagination that beckons travelers from all walks of life to partake in the extraordinary allure of Florence.
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
