The St. Regis Florence describes itself as “the epitome of elegance and refined hospitality… the preferred stop of tastemakers and luxury hotel travellers in Florence since the 18th century.”

After staying there last December—perfectly timed with Florence’s charming mini Christmas market—I can confirm every word of that statement. The hotel is a timeless classic, and my experience last year still feels absolutely current.

We hadn’t even made it upstairs to our room before stumbling into their signature sabrage ritual. Talk about an entrance! A masterful waiter, a gleaming sabre, a bottle of champagne… and a performance full of theatrics. It set the tone instantly.

I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend who had been gifted a 24-hour stay as a thank-you for her hard work. I was the fortunate plus-one, armed with nothing but an overnight bag and my phone camera.

Our suite was named Palazzo Pitti, part of the hotel’s charming tradition of naming rooms after landmarks in Florence. It was enormous—two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, a hallway, a lounge, and not one but two terraces overlooking the Arno. The view was breathtaking. We only managed a few sips of wine on the balcony before deciding to make the most of our limited time and head upstairs to enjoy a bottle of Super Tuscan in our lounge.

The next morning’s breakfast buffet was unlike anything I’ve ever seen—an extravagant spread that stretched on and on. We sampled a little of almost everything, not daring to miss a thing. The setting was pure opulence: a galleried room overlooking the hotel’s lower level, all elegance and old-world glamour.

This is very much a special-occasion hotel. A two-week stay might require lottery-winner status, but for a splurge, it’s unforgettable.

After enjoying the suite (briefly but fully!), we ventured out to our favourite spots in Florence. We detoured through a small Christmas market where I bought my beloved Cremino chocolate—if you haven’t tried it, you absolutely must.

We stopped for coffee and pastries at Don Nino Gelateria & Pasticceria, then later headed to Osteria Cipolla Rossa for dinner. It’s a fantastic example of Florentine cuisine with wonderfully reasonable prices. And, of course, no special outing is complete without cocktails at Locale Firenze—both pre- and post-dinner, naturally.

And that wrapped up our little adventure. If you try even one of my recommendations, I promise you’ll be delighted.