Florence’s Oldest Hotel Starts a New Chapter
Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze has opened in Florence as the first property in Minor Hotels’ new Colbert Collection brand. The hotel officially debuted on 12 May 2026 after a full renovation. Located on Via Porta Rossa, in the historic centre, it gives the new brand a high-profile starting point in one of Italy’s most visited cultural cities.
The building was first mentioned in 1386 and is described as probably the oldest hotel in Italy. It once welcomed silk merchants and later developed richly decorated 19th-century interiors. The renovation keeps historic details central to the guest experience, including vaulted ceilings, frescoed walls, the red door and the preserved "Per non dormire" motto in stained glass.
Inside Porta Rossa
The hotel has been designed as a boutique stay with Renaissance-palazzo references and modern comforts. Key features include:
- 69 guestrooms and suites
- Six signature suites
- Torre Monalda Signature Suite in a 13th-century tower
- Bistro bar and lobby spaces
- Restaurant by Paulo Airaudo opening in June
- Two meeting rooms for up to 40 guests
The location puts guests close to Florence’s major sights with little need for transport. The Arno River, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo complex, Uffizi and Piazza della Signoria are all nearby, making the hotel practical for first-time visitors and short cultural breaks. Its central position also suits travellers focused on museums, architecture, food and evening walks through the historic centre.
The opening matters because Florence gets another restored heritage hotel, but this one carries unusual depth: centuries of history, frescoed interiors and a medieval tower stay. For visitors, the appeal is not only a room near the landmarks, but the chance to sleep inside part of the city’s past while still having modern hotel service around it.