The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564: The Grand Tour Reborn
Hidden along a quiet street in the historic heart of Florence, The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 feels less like a hotel and more like a secret—an address revealed only to those who appreciate beauty, slowness, and the quiet privilege of being welcomed as if returning home after a long journey.
Part design sanctuary, part noble residence, this 16th-century palazzo—revived under the Manfredi Collection—embodies a philosophy of hospitality deeply rooted in Italian culture: elegance without arrogance, comfort without uniformity, tradition paired with contemporary imagination.
The moment guests step inside, time stretches. The hush of vaulted corridors, the moss-colored walls alive with painted foliage, the discreet warmth of the staff—always present yet never intrusive—signal that this is a place where hospitality is personal, almost familial.
This is Florence not as a city to be visited, but as a world to inhabit.
A Renaissance Structure, A Contemporary Soul
The palazzo bears a date carved in stone: 1564, the year Michelangelo drew his last breath and Galileo first opened his eyes. Once a convent, it still carries the quiet geometry of Renaissance merchant courts — sober façades, an off-center portal, staircases smoothed by centuries of passage, and a cloistered courtyard that time has scarcely touched.
Instead of concealing this past, James Cavagnari chose to reveal it. His name, which the hotel carries like a discreet signature, is woven into every gesture of the restoration. Working closely with Florentine craftsmen, he reinterpreted the palazzo’s ancient volumes through a vocabulary of natural materials, textured fabrics, and objects that lend the spaces an atmosphere at once contemplative and subtly theatrical.
The entrance announces this vision immediately: walls hand-painted in tones of sky and moss, foliage climbing upwards as if reclaiming stone, the impression of stepping into a secret garden suspended somewhere between dream and recollection.
Location: Hidden Florence, Steps from Everything
Set on Via di Mezzo, the hotel enjoys a paradoxical position: sheltered from the noise yet moments away from Florence’s greatest masterpieces.
Nearby rises Santa Croce, resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Giotto. The house of Dante, the cupola of Brunelleschi, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi all unfold within walking distance.
And yet the neighborhood keeps its Florentine soul. At Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, vendors call out the morning’s produce; in Piazza dei Ciompi, antique dealers trade stories as much as objects.
The James belongs to this rhythm—slow, genuine, unmistakably local.
Accommodations: Fourteen Rooms, Fourteen Personalities
There is no repetition at The James.
Each of the 14 rooms and suites is intentionally distinct—designed not under a single aesthetic rule, but following the personality of the space itself.
Unexpected elements appear like discoveries: fabrics inspired by haute couture, vintage trunks, shimmering tiles, custom lighting, rare ceramics, Hermès scarves framed as artwork. Every corner offers a detail that feels chosen, not staged.
Signature Suites: The Hotel’s Narrative Heart
Florence Suite
A serene refuge at the top of the palazzo, where city rooftops unfold like a Renaissance tapestry. Velvet blues and antique rose tones shape a meditative ambience. The balcony opens to Florence’s skyline, while vintage objects and curated artworks infuse the space with contemplative elegance.
JC Suite
The most iconic suite, a perfect balance between intimacy and grandeur. Authentic frescoes, period furniture, sculptural lamps, and artisanal fabrics create a dialogue between past and present. It feels like stepping into a chapter of Florence’s history—one written in soft light and timeless design.
Chaplin Suite
A cinematic, sophisticated cocoon.
Petrol-blue velvets, glossy woods, brass accents, and richly layered drapery create a sensual, enveloping environment. The suite overlooks the internal courtyard, where a private furnished balcony offers a secluded corner for morning coffee or a late glass of wine under the Tuscan sky.
Suites: Atmospheres of Intimate Luxury
Court Suite
Perhaps the hotel’s most unexpected experience.
Opening onto a lush private outdoor patio, the suite evokes a refined jungle-safari atmosphere: botanical prints, earthy textures, handcrafted wooden pieces, and greenery that transforms the outdoor space into a small, wild oasis. It’s Florence—but seen through the lens of exploration and wonder.
Master Suite & Suite
Two worlds shaped by saturated velvets, vintage furniture, and bespoke objects. In the Master Suite, a 1950s travel wardrobe and Giò Ponti sketches create a narrative suspended between history and imagination. The Suite, with its sage greens, amber tones, and layered textiles, feels like an elegant atelier turned private residence.
Junior Suite & Deluxe Room
The Junior Suite blends contemporary comfort with poetic allusions—a metal canopy echoing Gothic arches, warm ochre velvets, and damask curtains playing with the light.
The Deluxe Room, once part of the convent’s spiritual quarters, retains its contemplative calm, anchored by a 19th-century fresco depicting Saint Francis and Saint Sebastian, merging past devotion with present-day intimacy.
Every room at The James is not a category, but a character.
A Dialogue of Time, Taste, and Territory
The Lounge
Inside, the mood is sophisticated and dramatic.
A stunning velvet-effect wall—deep, tactile, atmospheric—anchors the room with a visual softness that feels both contemporary and theatrical. Natural wood, brass details, artisanal floors, and gentle lighting create a refined but relaxed elegance.
The Winter Garden
Breakfast is served in a luminous space that blends Arabesque touches—arches, patterns, soft curves—with Tuscan classicism.
The result is a setting that feels original, surprising, and utterly harmonious. Sunlight filters through, reflecting on handcrafted tiles and lush greenery, creating an atmosphere that is at once exotic and deeply Florentine.
The James Restaurant: The Kitchen
The gastronomic heart of the hotel is The James Restaurant, where the ambiance is split between two distinct yet complementary spaces—each contributing to the story of the palazzo.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio and Resident Chef Axel Caldani, the menu pays homage to Mediterranean culture and local tradition. The cuisine is rooted in territory, crafted with precision, and expressed with a modern sensibility—where seasonality and storytelling define every dish.
1564 Lounge Bar: Where Mixology Becomes Memory
Named after the year the palazzo was built, the 1564 Lounge Bar elevates the craft of cocktail making to ritual.
Curated by renowned mixologist Matteo Zed, the signature cocktails combine forgotten botanicals, rare spirits, house-made infusions, and a touch of narrative alchemy. Each drink reflects a story—some echoing Florence’s layered history, others born from distant inspirations but refined through Italian savoir-faire.
Velvets, warm lights, and enveloping materials shape an atmosphere designed for lingering. Whether it’s the start of the evening or a quiet after-dinner moment, the bar invites guests to slow down and savor time itself.
A Stay That Feels Like a Return
The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 is not simply a place to stay—it is a destination in itself. A journey into Florence’s soul through architecture, heritage, design, cuisine, and the unmistakable warmth of Italian hospitality.
Here, rooms have personalities, walls tell stories, and every detail invites reflection.
At The James, you do not simply spend nights.
You live them.
All photos by Sigurd M. Killerud
- Our stay was hosted -