HELVETIA & BRISTOL FIRENZE STARHOTELS COLLEZIONE An historic abode in the heart of Florence with timeless charm

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1 HELVETIA & BRISTOL FIRENZE STARHOTELS COLLEZIONE An historic abode in the heart of Florence with timeless charm Providing cosmopolitan travellers with a superior home in our city since the latter half of the 19th century, from the very beginning, the Helvetia & Bristol Firenze Starhotels Collezione s exquisite elegance and magnificent location attracted the international elite and high profile visitors. The most prominent guests included noble prize winners Enrico Fermi and Eugenio Montale, writers Gabriele D Annunzio and Luigi Pirandello as well as Eleonora Duse who chose the Hotel as her long-term residence. Throughout the years the hotel remained a fashionable destination frequented by artists, writers and aristocracy including Igor Stravinsky, Giorgio De Chirico and Bertrand Russell. In the heart of Florence s historic center, facing Palazzo Strozzi, stands the 19th century palazzo home to the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol Firenze Starhotels Collezione. With a high-class ambience and advanced technology-driven services, it is a symbolic location in Florence.

2 The Helvetia & Bristol was first opened on June 28, 1885 by the hotelier Giacomo Mosca, immediately becoming a meeting place for cultural figures of the day, many of whom were regulars at the Giardino d'inverno, thanks to its prime location between piazza della Repubblica and via Tornabuoni. Over time, the building was restored and modernized, though always aiming to conserve its original 19th-century character. The décor is the fruit of a search for objects, furniture and antique furnishings that pair well with the building s marbles, 17th-century paintings and original parlours. The hotel shows off the architectural splendour and magnificent original Deco design, which still reflects the atmosphere of an aristocratic Florentine residence of the 1800s. Thanks to its great location, hotel guests can easily visit the Uffizi, the Accademia or the Medici Chapels. Just across from the main entrance sits Palazzo Strozzi, a masterpiece of Florentine Renaissance architecture. From here, guests can stroll down via Tornabuoni, the most exclusive shopping street in Florence. It is also easy to explore the Oltrarno, crossing over one of the city s extraordinary bridges in search of historic palaces, or to dedicate a bit of time to tasting Tuscany s sumptuous culinary heritage. THE HOTEL HELVETIA & BRISTOL TODAY History, modernity and excellent service in the heart of Florence The Hotel Helvetia & Bristol is located in a historic palazzo in Central Florence, a short distance from the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.

3 The architecturally sober hotel has four floors, along with a mezzanine, framed by the arches of the floor below. On the facade overlooking Via degli Strozzi, there is a terrace with a metallic railing dating from 1890: on the window opening onto the balcony, you ll find a shield with an unidentified arm, paired with a title block with the date Visitors will also notice the angular light fixture in the shape of a griffin, created by the Biondi brothers foundry in 1925, and how it brightens up the inscription. Inside, portraits of the 17th century Italian aristocracy keep watch over the hotel s main lobby, which opens onto the Winter Garden, in the Liberty style. A large staircase leads up to areas reserved exclusively for guests each floor dotted with antique furniture and details. The Helvetia & Bristol Starhotels Collezione comprises 38 rooms and 29 suites, furnished in a classic yet modern style. Each room includes antiques such as gorgeous inlaid tables and Chinese porcelain lamps. In the sitting rooms, guests can admire prestigious 17th century paintings, while in the panoramic suites they can take in a view of the Duomo.

4 The rooms also have all conveniences available, including: air conditioning and independent heating, smart satellite TV, WiFi, safe, refrigerator, slippers and bathrobes. The hotel pays careful attention to its guests needs with additional services like room service, laundry, ironing, babysitting, valet parking and limousines. Additionally, the Helvetia & Bristol offers a Concierge Desk service to all guests, open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The hotel s ultimate goal is to offer the highest level of hospitality possible, and the Concierge services do just that, satisfying guests requests with kindness, availability and discretion. The Hostaria and Bar Bibendum are a perfect meeting place both for hotel guests and for residents of Florence: traditionally Tuscan dishes that have a touch of contemporaneity and modernity.

5 Rooms & Suites Each of the 38 rooms and 29 suites in Florence s Hotel Helvetia & Bristol is carefully furnished and well curated. Standout elements are the tasteful color combinations that distinguish each room and the original antique furniture, objets d art and paintings. Guests stays are made even more pleasant by the incredible views over the old city. Enjoy the elegance of the single Classic rooms or the Panoramic Suite showcasing the city s cultural riches. With ample, decorative sitting rooms, spacious sleep areas and panoramic views over the city rooftops, each room is well equipped to give guests their perfect stay.

6 Panoramic Suites Located on the 5th floor, the Panoramic Suites at the Helvetia & Bristol are the hotel s largest. 56 square meters combine classic elegance and contemporary comfort, with a wonderful view of the Duomo, Giotto s belltower and Palazzo Strozzi. These suites vaunt a marble bathroom with a jacuzzi and a second small bath. Along with modern conveniences, the Panoramic Suites are furnished with period furniture, precious objects and fine paintings. Executive Suites The Executive Suites have a family feel but are decorated with beautiful furniture, offering guests fantastic views and the comfort of a private residence. Measuring 50 square meters, these suites include a living room and bedroom. Many Executive Suites face Piazza Strozzi and can be connected to Junior Suites for families with 2 or more children.

7 Suites Our Suites range from square meters and contain a small sitting room and a bedroom. Some are situated on two levels, with a sitting room downstairs and a sleeping area in the loft. Suites have a flat-screen television, high-speed internet, a safe for storing valuables, air conditioning and a marble bathroom with a jacuzzi. Junior Suites Executive The beauty of Florentine art and culture comes to life in the Junior Suites Executive at the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol. These rooms are equipped with antique furniture, Murano glass chandeliers and period paintings. 40 square meters, these suites have a large living room area and a marble bathroom with a hydro-massage bath. Junior Suites Our Junior Suites measure square meters and feature a comfortable sitting room, a marble bathroom with a jacuzzi and a double bed or two separate beds. They additionally offer high-speed internet, air conditioning, flat-screen television and a safe for valuables. Some have a view of Piazza Strozzi, while others face the quiet indoor courtyard. Double Deluxe In the 28 square meter Double Deluxe rooms, the period furniture and wall paintings allow guests to dive right into authentic Florentine culture. The refined furnishings and carpeting that takes on the curtains colors and motifs creates a luxurious atmosphere. Some rooms have views of the city, while others look out over the calm; they may be adjoined to a Classic Double room.

8 HOSTARIA AND BAR BIBENDUM The restaurant and bar at the Helvetia & Bristol in Florence The Hostaria Bibendum is the restaurant at Florence s Hotel Helvetia & Bristol, a go-to on the city map for fine Tuscan gastronomy. It is a refined setting, decorated with original artworks. Set apart for its discreet, professional service, the restaurant is well suited for the international clientele regularly spotted here. Taking cues from the elegance of the Helvetia & Bristol, this restaurant is deeply inspired by the contemporary, while simultaneously combining Liberty-style elements with rather exotic furnishings and details.

9 The restaurant s entrance is in via De Pescioni on the ground floor of the hotel. Guests may enjoy the Chef s delicacies in the main indoor room or on the patiolounge facing Piazza Strozzi. Inside, the engraved chandeliers create a romantic atmosphere, a fusion of Art Nouveau and Florentine aesthetics. The charming patiolounge is instead a perfect spot for alfresco lunches or dinners. The cusine proposes classic Tuscan dishes, focusing particular attention on quality, seasonal and local Tuscan ingredients: a method that values local tradition without sacrificing innovation.

10 To accompany the dishes, fine wines are carefully and expertly selected by the house sommelier. Once again, there s a particular focus placed on local producers and the finest Italian wines. The menu ranges from pure Tuscan specialties to more modern Italian dishes, such as: smoked wild boar tartare, apple sauce with cinnamon and a cabbage salad with cumin and chips of dried rosemary bread; pork tortelli in a sauce of milk, peas, bacon and liquorice; seabass with almonds, cauliflower and Tahitian vanilla; Duck brushed with honey in a stew of celery root, pears and Sangiovese wine; and mousse al Vin Santo, almond crumble and fiordilatte gelato. The menu is accompanied by an excellent selection of wines. The Hostaria Bibendum restaurant has an independent entrance and a life and style of its own. It is open from to 2.30pm for lunch and from 7.30 to 10.30pm for dinner. The Bar Bibendum is the bar at the Helvetia & Bristol in Florence, adjacent to the eponymous restaurant. This bar is the ideal place for a relaxing evening aperitif, served by qualified personnel in a tranquil and elegant setting. At the Bar, guests can enjoy a wide range of cocktails or long drinks prepared by expert barmen and served in a uniquely charming ambience. Decò furnishings, crystal chandeliers, Baroque mirrors and Liberty-style wall lights fuse with the warm color scheme for a refined yet informal atmosphere. EVENT SPACES AT THE HELVETIA & BRISTOL Innovation and charm for every event in central Florence In the heart of Florence, the Helvetia & Bristol provides its guests with the perfect environment for private events, conferences and seminars. Each event is meticulously managed and coordinated with flawless professionalism, satisfying clients needs. The Helvetia & Bristol boasts two magnificent event spaces of varying styles and sizes: the Winter Garden and the Sala Strozzi. They can be used for a large conference or for a private event.

11 Each welcoming and comfortable event space is completely furnished and supplied with necessary technological equipment such as a video projector, a Bose audio system and cordless speakers. The most modern technology is readily available right in one of Florence s most elegant buildings. Winter Garden The Winter Garden, styled entirely in a 1920s aesthetic, has a decorative glass-blown ceiling in the Liberty style. The space has a special lighting system and maintains the charm and atmosphere of a true garden. Ideal for exclusive private events or wedding receptions, the Winter Garden is 86 square meters and can hold around 70 people in a theatre-style setup. Sala Strozzi With its quintessentially Florentine elegance inspired by the harmony and elegance of the Renaissance Palazzo Strozzi, which stands right in front of the Helvetia & Bristol the Sala Strozzi is a magnificent setting with a classic-style interior and strictly modern equipment. Flushed with natural light, and with walls covered by fine tapestries, it has a calm and silent ambience ideal for meetings of any kind, seminars, conferences and high-level presentations. The Sala Strozzi is 45 square meters and can hold up to 45 people in a theatre-style setup. Hall of fame at The Helvetia & Bristol The following are just a few of the many famous Italian and international figures who have chosen the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel: Anne Rice Antonello Venditti Aurelio De Laurentis Ben Okri Bertrand Russell Brett Dalton Claudio Baglioni Daniel Baremboim Danish Royal Family Francesca Schiavone Luigi Pirandello Luis Humberto Sepulveda Maggie Smith Michael of Kent Michail Gorbaciov Nick Rhodes, Duran Duran Oasis Omar Benson Miller Pierfrancesco Favino Roberto Capucci

12 Francesco De Gregori Gabriele D'Annunzio Giorgio Armani Giorgio De Chirico Giorgio Forattini Hubert de Givenchy Igor Strawinsky Isamu Asano Joaquin Cortes Ken Follett Ken Loach Kenneth Branagh Kirsten Dunst Sarah Ferguson Severino Gazzelloni Shabama Azmi Sofer-Kurth Rena Sherel Spike Lee Stana Katic The Lumineers Uschi Glas Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia Vittorio Sgarbi Wilbur Smith Yasser Arafat The Helvetia & Bristol Starhotels Collezione is part of The Leading Hotels of the World Starhotels Starhotels is a Florence-based, family-owned hotel group, epitome of high-end Italian hospitality, with 29 hotels in the most beautiful destinations in Italy, Europe and US. Starhotels Collezione is a collection of the brand s most representative hotels, 12 locally inspired iconic properties with a strong heritage and personality. These hotels combine stunning buildings, a timeless sophistication enriched by Italian unique design and a warm, bespoke service, and are located in New York, Paris, London, Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena, Trieste and Vicenza. Helvetia & Bristol Via dei Pescioni, Firenze Tel Fax reservations.helvetiabristol.fi@starhotels.it Starhotels Press Office and PR Marta Olivari, PR Manager m.olivari@starhotels.it Mobile