The B&B is located on a quiet street in the heart of the historic center of Florence.
Located inside a building dating back to the eighteenth century, each corner tells about a piece of history of its previous life.
All rooms have been beautifully renovated and each have an ensuite bathroom, some open unto a patio, another to a private terrace and all are away from the street & city noise.
In 2018 a Florentine couple sold the property to me, and I was ready to start a beautiful adventure! Happy to have made such a discovery, I decided to move to Florence to manage the B&B full-time.
Furnished with authentic antiques, carefully collected over the years, original flooring, and many other curious details make this place a unique and yet familiar spot to call 'home' for a few days or more.
Completely renovated, Relais & Maison Grand Tour once used to house a small private theater that represents a most interesting feature of the structure. This space can have a dual function: normally furnished as a complete apartment and accommodating up to 6 people, it can also be used as a space to organize tailor-made events such as intimate ceremonies, conferences, exhibitions, or ad hoc experiences.
On occasion, for a specific event and booked in advance, it is possible to reserve the entire structure and gives your event the requested exclusivity. The possibilities are endless!
I live on the premises and am available to provide information or suggestions, but above all to take care of our guests and make them feel ''at home away from their home''. The B&B is featured in several travel guides, such as the famous Rick Steves Guide to Italy and Florence, the Guida Du Routard, and the Rough Guide. As many travelers still appreciate the wisdom of these detailed guides, there is also a website with a booking engine to lock in travel dates. Your prices booked directly with us will always be the most competitive.
The location is perfect for those who decide to stay in the magnificent city of Florence to visit the historic center with its artistic beauties such as Michelangelo's David, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and continuing to the Ponte Vecchio you reach Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, the panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo and much more.
Come and see us and judge for yourself, what we are talking about! We cannot wait to introduce you to this incredible city, places, and glimpses of Florence that will leave you breathless, the tasty cuisine of Florentine trattorias and open-air taverns, and much more.
Ciao…hoping to see you soon!
The Relais & Maison Grand Tour B&B has two levels and each room has a well-defined identity with an authentic style & atmosphere, furnished by respecting the traces of its previous life such as that of a small private theater, and enriched with all the comforts of a well-remodeled accommodation in the city. Photographs, gold embellishments on the ceilings, traces of frescos on the walls, antique furniture, mirrors, and paintings tell the story of this place.
There are 6 suites for a total capacity of 20 people plus a space that in addition to being a complete apartment is also a suitable space for organizing a tailor-made event. Here is the arrangement:
- Maison Grand Tour, on the street level, offers romantic suites, with rooms that can accommodate up to three people each and ensuite bathrooms, with doors and windows that open onto a plant-filled patio, away from the noise of the city.
- Relais Grand Tour, one floor up, offers other rooms and large suites that can accommodate families and small groups, consisting of two or more bedrooms, to be used as standard double rooms (1 room only) with a large bathroom or a family suite (2-3 bedrooms). The Theater apartment, which can accommodate up to 7 people, has private access (via a staircase, without a lift) onto a terrace overlooking the rooftops of the city. On this floor, I also have my own personal residence, but in a separate area of the house. I am therefore available for my guests but also 'invisible' for those who want to enjoy their privacy.
Each suite is equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning/heating, antique-style furniture, armchairs, and decorative details, and the most important feature is the tranquility that each space offers its guests.
Tradition and innovation are the key concepts of the Relais & Maison Grand Tour B&B and the atmosphere is that of an elegant Florentine house furnished with care and style where every single detail has its own meaning and its own historical collection. Each room or suite is equipped with the comforts to experience an authentic and unforgettable stay. As you enter you will notice original floors, dating back to the 18th century, handcrafted lamps, which emanate a soft light outlining the antique furniture, family paintings, terracotta details, and decorated ceilings play a predominant role.
The interior of the building has been restored and modernized with gentle care while many traces of its eventful past have been preserved to give identity and warmth to the environment; like gold embellishments on the ceilings, traces of frescos on the walls, or a fountain dating from the 16th century that decorates the plant-filled patio on the main floor. The predominant feature of this place is a small private theatre dating back to the 18th century, which depending on the need, can be a large apartment accommodating up to 7 people or space to organize a tailor-made event.
The OwnerThe owner, that is me, Ulrike, I live in the same location that you have chosen for your holidays in Florence and it is easy to meet me in the B&B to ask me for advice on restaurants, museums, walks, wine tastings, and places to visit. I know Florence well because I love it as a tourist and now as a 'resident', and I will be happy to let you experience my city 'as a local', letting you discover the things that appeal to me and the other residents of our city. I can tell you about the hidden art treasures, even simple views that will leave you breathless, the path of the most beautiful churches in Florence, the romantic walks along the Ponte Vecchio and along the Arno river in Florence, where many films have been shot and many other hidden treasures have been found.
I am German but lived for three decades in the United States where I started a family and where my two children still live. I feel like a citizen of the world but my heart beats for Italy and Florence where I have decided to live for now. Taking care of the guests of my B&B is a dream come true and making your stay memorable is my greatest pleasure. From a very young age on I spent all my holidays with my family in Tuscany, both in the summer and for Easter, and I feel really lucky to be here, ready to pass on all my experiences!
Welcome to the Relais & Maison Grand Tour!
Tripadvisor
A place of history with a personal touch.... At a perfect location right next to the busy streets of Florence, still being able to provide a calm and quiet atmosphere when you enter. It is a historic building with memories from the past and a story to tell. The host and owner is friendly and welcoming and she takes joy in giving the customer the experience they are after!
Benjamin A
Tripadvisor
Excellent Bed and Breakfast The Grand Tour was in a perfect location to walk to lots of the highlights of Florence. We had a charming room that was so comfortable. Ulrike Essex was a wonderful hostess with lot of great suggestions for sight seeing and eating. There was a self service laundry right down the street which was great.
Nancy Cox
Website
We stayed in the beautiful Diva room, and found it elegant, comfortable, quiet and just what we needed after long days of visiting museums, churches, eating and shopping in fabulous Florence. The location is great, not too much traffic and yet still close to everything. Ulrike met us on arrival and spent some time with us giving us tips on how to get the most from our visit. I especially enjoyed the electric hot water kettle and selection of tea and coffee that was provided for a morning wake me up or a nighttime slow me down treat. We stayed two weeks in Italy, but sadly, only three nights in Florence. I wish we could have spent more time in this lovely B&B as it was a highlight of our trip.
CTucker (Austin, Texas)
Tripadvisor
Our experience in this beautiful, perfectly located hotel could not have been more enjoyable. Ulrika was so warm, helpful and welcoming that we wish we could have stayed for more than the two days we had planned on our 3 week vacation to Italy. We had access to the rooftop terrace, two bedrooms with private baths and a sitting area to eat a quick bite. Beds were comfortable, linens luxurious and the quiet location provided a cozy place to relax before we headed out to the Accademia and the Uffizzi. Immaculately clean, tastefully decorated and the highlight was a sitdown visit with Ulrika to learn about the history of the building, the renovations that were required and the future plans being considered. Our amazing hostess, Ulrika, made us feel like we had been friends for years. Since we stayed in the upper appartment the stairs were narrow and a bit challenging for one of our party. Taking the stairs with caution it was the perfect setting for our short exploration of Florence. We highly recommend staying here and using all the recommendations that Ulrika so generously provided. Our meal down the street on the corner of her street was superb. Treat yourself to this lovely place on your next visit to Florence,
kimf672019
Tripadvisor
Abbiamo soggiornato in 5 in una bellissima suite molto spaziosa con 2camere, 2bagni e un terrazzo molto carino peccato non averlo potuto sfruttare per la stagione. Proprietaria molto gentile e sempre disponibile. Super-consigliato!!!
eli_boh
Tripadvisor
If you are going to Florence, look no further - you simply cannot do better than this marvelous B&B, 5 minutes walk from anything you want to visit, and down the block from several nice restaurants and cafes. The building is a beautifully restored 18th century theatre. The beds and linens are top quality, the place is spotless, the lovely owner lives on site and is very knowledgable and helpful about anything you would want to do. Unhesitating recommendation!
zitizitipianopiano
Tripadvisor
Relais Grand Tour & Suites is so well located, we were able to walk to and visit 4 museums and 2 wonderful places to eat and shop. The owner, Ulrike is friendly, welcoming and very knowledgable about the area. She gave us excellent advice on where to eat. Our room and bathroom were clean and well appointed with interesting furniature. Everything in the area is ancient including this hotel. The walls have remnants of of actual frescos. With the hot, humid summer weather, we appreciated the AC unit that worked well.
Trish Davis
Tripadvisor
Ulrike, the owner, was in contact via email with us before we arrived in Florence. She was quick to respond to questions that we had about location, easiest way to get to the BB from the central train station, and renting s car in Florence. She had great suggestions about what to do in Florence as well. She greeted us and took time to get to know us. We stayed in the two room suite which was clean and beautifully decorated. The rooms had a great AC system which was greatly appreciated after a long hot day of sightseeing in Florence. Showers were recently remodeled and were very spacious. The location is central to all Florence attractions and easy to get to the city center or Duomo area. We highly recommend this BB to families or couples.
Nilsson Family
Website
Unser Aufenthalt in Relais Grand Tour in Florenz war sehr schön und wir würden jederzeit wieder kommen! Die Zimmer sind sehr geschmackvoll eingerichtet und sie sind die perfekte Kombination aus antik & modern. Alles war sehr sauber und wir haben uns sehr wohlgefühlt.
Marc
Website
Ce B&B est remarquablement ditué pres du marché San Lorenzo, dans une rue calme. Chambre "attore", en fait une suite (photo), liberté totale, accueil et bon conseils de Giuseppe ; il y a un garage à 50m via Sant'Orsola tres pratique. compte tenu de ses prestations, c'est bien moins cher qu'un hôtel de même classe. je recommande ce B&B sans réserves.
ulyssee
Tripadvisor
We loved staying here, we were lucky to have the spacious upstairs apartment and fell in love with the place instantly. Ulrike has decorated it beautifully and retained many original features of this historic old theatre. The location is perfect for sightseeing and we were able to walk out the door in the morning stroll past the many cafes and restaurants on our way to all the amazing sights of Florence. 5 of 5
Lizzie P
Tripadvisor
Unexpected value and old world charm... Just spent a fantastic week in and around Florence and have absolute positive things to say about hostess/owner Ulrike and her hotel. The room was charming. Modern bath and air conditioning blended with old wooden ceilings and salvaged frescos to make a comfortable oasis just 5 minutes from the main train station at Santa Maria Novella and the Mercato Centrale. Of course access to the Duomo and historic district was incredible. The patio was a nice no view feature but brought the outdoors in after a long day of touring, or for morning coffee or tea. The price was right and the hotel was a great value. Although breakfast was not offered it was not necessary due to the proximity to in-town restaurants. Ulrike was beyond friendly. She speaks perfect English, German and Italian. Her 30+ years spent in the US gave us great comfort regarding her recommendations. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. 5 of 5
Brian W
Tripadvisor
Lovely stay We stayed a few days at this beautiful B&B. Conveniently located a few minutes from the train station. Main attractions within walking distance. We stayed in the Golden Suite. Beautifully decorated, clean and plenty of space for our family. A nice little restaurant just steps away for breakfast. Ulrike, the owner was amazing; giving us plenty of restaurant recommendations and helping us navigate the city. She even went out of her way to help us find allergy friendly restaurant for our child with multiple food allergies. Overall a fantastic experience... 5 of 5
Cosmopolitan641475
Tripadvisor
Beautiful suite in a great location! My wife and I stayed with our two young daughters in the Suite d'Oro at the Relais and Maison Grand Tour in late November, 2018. Our host Ulrike was gracious, helpful, and a wonderful conversationalist. She made our stay easy and pleasant, and offered useful tips for seeing and enjoying Florence. We unexpectedly arrived late to Florence from our previous stop and her welcoming smile immediately put us all at ease. The Suite d'Oro is exquisitely decorated in a style fitting of Florence. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are spacious, and the bathroom is modern. The bathroom is actually gigantic! A nice change after the miniscule showers of other places that we stayed. The suite is perfect for a couple that wants space or for a family with children. We had our two young (ages 1 and 5) daughters with us and the suite perfectly suited our needs. There is room to spread out with all of the stuff that usually comes with traveling with children. It was nice to not feel cramped. The inn is located only a few blocks from the heart of Florence. The immediate neighborhood is teeming with restaurants and stores. It feels like you are in a real neighborhood of locals, Florentines going about their daily lives, even though you are only 5-10 minutes walk away from the tourist center of the city. It was just a short easy walk to the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio, Santa Maria Novella, and other attractions. We greatly enjoyed our stay at the Relais and Maison Grand Tour. We will gladly stay there again when we return to Florence. 5 of 5
MMZEH
Expedia
This place is AMAZING! It is so cozy and clean and comfortable located in a safe neighborhood. All the major attractions in Florence are within walking distance which is a huge plus. The staff is so kind and helpful . She let us leave our luggage there because we got in earlier than check in time and they let us leave the luggage there after checking out. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone going to Florence. 10 of 10
Krista
Booking
Perfetto... Le camere e la cordialità delle signore americane. Nulla, non cambierei nulla. 9 of 10
Michele
Booking
Consigliato! La suite con 2camere e 2bagni assolutamente da consigliare per famiglie numerose. Grande disponibilità della proprietaria. Comodo sia per raggiungere il centro che la stazione dei treni a piedi. 10 of 10
Elisa
Booking
Hotel molto carino ed accogliente... In generale la camera, molto pulita e molto curata nei dettagli. Un’ottima soluzione
Marcello
Booking
Struttura deliziosa ed accogliente nel cuore della città. Ottima posizione: vicinissima a stazione dei treni e centro città. Ideale per famiglie: noi avevamo una super suite familiare Grazie per l'accoglienza !! Se ci fosse anche breakfast a casa sarebbe il top!! 10 of 10
Expedia
We absolutely loved the property with its ancient history, authentic atmosphere and very warm welcome we received! located centrally, easy to reach, beautiful...5 out of 5
anonymous
Expedia
Literally on the doorstep of all you need. Owner was lovely and overall decor of the rooms makes you feel like your in a room in Florence and not just another hotel room. Parking is at the end of the road and the owner can point you to all the places you want to see. 8/10
Joe
Expedia
It was a really pleasant stay. The place was managed with a memorable color and taste of Ulrike. She was very helpful and I had no difficulty getting to the unknown place for a tour bus. I'll definitely come back to the Relais Grand Tour when I visit Florence next time. I already miss it. 10 of 10
Misun
Expedia
This property has a very cool style, and the service Ulrike provided was great. She provided help with anything needed. I liked the proximity to all the main sights, and it was a quick walk to the central market for a great variety of food at good prices, as well as anything you would want to buy. I would stay here again. 9/10
Tod
Tripadvisor
Bellissimo!! Abbiamo soggiornato in 5 in una bellissima suite molto spaziosa con 2camere, 2bagni e un terrazzo molto carino peccato non averlo potuto sfruttare per la stagione. Proprietaria molto gentile e sempre disponibile. Super-consigliato!!! 5/5
eli_boh
Tripadvisor
Beautiful and unusual apartment in central Florence We loved staying here, we were lucky to have the spacious upstairs apartment and fell in love with the place instantly. Ulrike has decorated it beautifully and retained many original features of this historic old theatre. The location is perfect for sightseeing and we were able to walk out the door in the morning stroll past the many cafes and restaurants on our way to all the amazing sights of Florence. 5/5
Daphne
Google Plus
Notte con colazione in "Suite La Terrazza" e appartamento "Teatro". Sublime! Stanze con una atmosfera unica. Eleganza e storia abbinati a confort e relax. Riviste e libri contornano un gusto per l'arredo eccezionale che è sapientemente custodito dalla padrona di casa. Ulrike è perfetta. attenta e presente con discrezione, porta personalmente spremuta d'arancia fresca e brioches fresche (forno artigianale del panettiere) per la colazione. Letti nuovi e comodi, bagni e stanze molto pulite e organizzate in ogni dettaglio. Il terrazzo esterno della suite la Terrazza è uno spazio intimo per un aperitivo o lettura sotto il cielo della magica Firenze. Grazie Ulrike! Teresa 5/5
Teresa P.
Google Plus
Splendida ristrutturazione in posizione strategica. Proprietaria disponibile e simpaticissima. Consigliata anche per più nuclei familiari, noi eravamo in 3 famiglie e siamo stati veramente bene. 5/5
Andreina Z.
Google Plus
Location meravigliosa posto inaspettato in centro Firenze. Stanze grandi, pulito, grande confort. Ricavato da un Teatro antico che rispetta l antica struttura. Ulrike una padrona di casa gentilissima, disponibile, simpatica e molto molto paziente, weekend davvero bellissimo! 5 of 5
Katia P.
Tripadvisor
Ulrike ist ein großartiger Gastgeber und wir wurden sehr herzlich empfangen. Darüber hinaus gab uns Ulrike tolle Tipps, um schnell einen Überblick über die schönsten Spots von Florenz zu bekommen. Die Aussicht von Piazzale Michelangelo sollte man sich wirklich nicht entgehen lassen (am besten den Sonnenuntergang genießen). Die Unterkunft liegt wenige Minuten von Duomo und ist nur ein Steinwurf von der Garage entfernt, die wir während des Aufenthaltes gebucht haben. Das Parken in Florenz ist nicht günstig, aber wir fanden es sehr gemütlich, in der Nähe der Unterkunft zu parken. Danke Ulrike für die Gastfreundschaft und die tolle Unterkunft. Man fühlt sich ein wenig wie in einem Schloss. :) Fatime & Richard 5 of 5
Fatime
Tripadvisor
Oasis in Florence! The Relais & Maison Grand Tour is a total oasis in the busy streets of Florence. Just a short walk from the train station and vey close to some of the key sites, it was a welcome respite. Ulrike, the owner, is very helpful and accommodating. She was a dream with special requests, directions, and tips on top things to do, see and where to eat. She even What'sApp'ed me after a small tremor to make sure all was okay. We stayed in the Diva Suite, which is beautifully appointed and has all sorts of interesting details that you continue to notice and discover during your stay. Because you are somewhat off the street you don't hear any noise, and we slept very well. I believe most of the suites are on the ground level (Diva was), which after a day of climbing stairs in the Florentine sites is a nice change. I would definitely return here upon visiting Florence again. 5 out of 5
Stephanie
Tripadvisor
Awesome stay! We had the pleasure to stay here some days ago. Ulrike the owner is fantastic. Made us feel super welcome and helped us a lot during our stay with, tips and advice. She also recommend a wonderful restaurant and even helped us to get a reservation. The room was really nice and comfortable and the location is great. Looking forward to go back! 5 out of 5
Joe
Tripadvisor
A perfect place in Florence! I highly recommend staying at the Relais and Maison Grand Tour, not only for the beautiful and comfortable rooms but for the amazing host, Ulrike, as well! The room (Actor’s Suite) was just as gorgeous as the B&B’s website photos showed, the bed was the most comfortable I have ever slept on, and it was such a lovely and quiet oasis to retreat to. Ulrike is so helpful, friendly and accommodating - I’m pretty sure my daughter wants to adopt her as her European mom! If I ever find myself back in Florence I will definitely be returning here! 5 out of 5
Kim
