The river Arno, which traverses Florence, has flowed ceaselessly for thousands of years, generously providing water sources and the convenience of navigation, and has also unleashed mighty floods to display its might. This mother river and its many bridges have become the unbroken veins of the famous city from ancient times to the present.

Between the renowned landmarks spared by the war‘s artillery, the ”Old Bridge” Ponte Vecchio and the Ponte Santa Trinità, the Lungarno Hotel in Florence, managed by the Ferragamo Group, is nestled along the river Arno. With the brand‘s and the family‘s profound aesthetic and artistic heritage complemented by the beautiful scenery, it is like a cruise ship sailing from the depths of time, embarking on a journey that is light and elegant.

Rooted in Florence, starting with handmade shoes, the luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo, which has been in business for over a hundred years, established its own highend hotel brand ”Lungarno Collection” in 1995. Among the several hotels and apartments opened in Florence, this building dates back to the 16th century, originally a private residence, and started operating as a hotel in 1967.

In 2017, the group renovated it for six months after half a century of welcoming guests. The designer Michele Bönan from Florence first laid the foundation of neoclassicism and then painted the emotions and dreams of Ferragamo. From peaceful 1950s to the 1970s when ”Made in Italy” emerged prominently with the social trend, Italian aesthetics have become famous in the world with passion and creativity. The footprints in history outline the growth trajectory of the brand and also precipitate into the hotel‘s fashionable and enduring unique temperament. Joining as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World （SLH），which is known for its strong personality, is naturally reasonable.

The family‘s art collection is another style code of The family‘s art collection is another style code of the hotel. As one of the largest private collections in the world, hundreds of works from Italian artists or artists with a deep relationship with Italy fill the entire hotel with a rich and unique aesthetic atmosphere.

Visit the collection of works by famous artists such as Picasso, Cocteau, and Bueno; or follow the pop art theme to explore the development of design in the 19th and 20th centuries. You can also see the promotional posters created by Lucio Venna when the brand founder Salvatore Ferragamo returned to his hometown Florence to open a store in the 1920s, which have profound significance in family memory and the history of visual communication.

If you are still not satisfied after meeting the 20thcentury Italian art here, let the hotel arrange a trip to the Ferragamo Museum.

Being the scion of Salvatore and the current family leader, Leonardo Ferragamo‘s passion for yachting, coupled with the hotel‘s exceptional location and river views, has led to an interior design theme centered on ships and navigation. The tranquil blue and bright white become the main colors, playing the chords that convey this impression. The designer Bonan poetically describes it as ”Drifting on the Arno River seems endless; and the old bridge is always in sight, like a beacon”.

Antique furniture, exquisite handicrafts, warm wood, and luxurious marble... The richness of neoclassical style and the simplicity cherished by modern life are laid out in the interior, unified and harmonized by fresh tones, filling the main space of the guest rooms with a tranquil atmosphere. When you step out onto the waterside terrace, the colors suddenly brighten, as if to emphasize the scenery with a grand frame, fitting the more vibrant mood people feel as they approach nature. The eternal flow of water and sailing meet the comfortable, peaceful, and subtly fashionable home, forming a wonderful contrast. Catching a glimpse of fish gliding through the waves with the aroma of morning coffee, and gazing at the silhouette of the old bridge and the lights on both banks at dusk, living here, one feels intimately connected to the graceful, watertown side of this city known for its magnificence.

Ascending to the rooftop terrace of the penthouse suite feels like arriving on an expansive deck, with a panoramic view of the architectural treasures of the Renaissance: Brunelleschi‘s dome, Giotto‘s bell tower, the tower of the Old Palace... Grand or slender, they stand tall through the centuries, evoking a sense of nostalgia in the observer. One can‘t help but recall the suites named after artists, where the works transition from classical complexity to refined simplicity in form and line. Without even stepping out of the hotel, the mind seems to have traveled through centuries of art history.

The hotel‘s Borgo San Jacopo restaurant is led by chef Claudio Mengoni. Like the Ferragamo family and designer Bonan, he is also a local who is full of affection and pride for Florence. After accumulating experience at several Michelinstarred restaurants, he returned to his hometown three years ago. With a culinary approach that emphasizes the freshness and seasonality of ingredients, integrates ancient and modern techniques, and pays meticulous attention to the presentation akin to a painting, he has also earned new stars. To enjoy a full range of Florentine flavors, one might reserve a table on the terrace, beside the shimmering waters and sounds, to savor milkfed roast suckling pig, porcini mushroom ice cream, fig honey, sea urchin and anchovy risotto...

In addition to the main meals, Picteau is a bistro that always welcomes guests. The presence of artworks and leather elements exudes the temperament of Ferragamo quietly yet persistently. Beyond Claudio Mengoni‘s menu, the cocktails created by bartenders Marco Colonnelli and Vincenzo Civita are enough to awaken another soul here. Have a cup of the bittersweet Negroni. History, nature, art, fashion... all these tags associated with Italy are no longer empty words, but are fully integrated into a sip at this moment and place.