Villa Cora
Villa Cora is located inside a centuries-old park that overlooks the Boboli Gardens, on the hills just outside the historical center of Florence. The villa is an aristocratic residence built at the end of the XIX century by architect Pietro Comparini upon commission by Baron Oppenheim reflecting the architectural styles of that period, dominated by a strong eclectic decor that provides the villa with different, sometimes even bizarre, artistic styles. Villa Cora, inaugurated when Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, has become throughout the years one of the major cultural and cosmopolitan symbols of Florence. Villa Cora earned its reputation by hosting international guests of great importance, such as Princess Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III, and the french musician Claude Debussy, and being considered the most beautiful residence of the Tuscan capital. After several changes of ownership, Villa Cora became an exclusive grand hotel at the end of 1960 and reopened in late 2010 after a detailed three-year restoration which has brought to light two centuries of history of Florence. Starting from the 2013 the hotel is member of Relais & Châteaux Association.
The hotel has 46 rooms and suites, divided into the main villa and in two adjacent buildings, which were restored to the minutest of details with the aim of conserving the original architectural style as much as possible. In the main villa, there are 30 suites and rooms divided into 4 floors, each with its own style. The first, known as the "noble floor" is strongly characterized by its marvelous frescoes; the second dedicated to the ex-empress Eugenia widow of Napoleon III and to the roses that were her favorite flower: the third is the floor dedicated to the Orient, in pure Moorish spirit. Lastly, a pearl, the junior suite 401 inspired by the American fabulous '50's which can be reached by a private lift.
Villino Eugenia is a small guesthouse overlooking the Boboli Gardens. With 14 different accommodations, each has been decorated and furnished according to the bourgeois styles of the late 19th century with ceilings representing rare and exotic subjects. The spa is located inside the Villino Eugenia.
Lastly, La Follie, a small guesthouse located at the edge of the park that surrounds Villa Cora has a particular charm and discretion with only 2 rooms, providing complete and total privacy.
The Hotel offers every type of room: classic and deluxe, family, duplex junior suite and nine exclusive suites. Every detail was designed to create unique surroundings where luxury and elegance are combined harmoniously and aesthetic taste is accompanied by high quality comfort. Every room is equipped with king size or twin beds, air conditioning, flat or plasma satellite TV, electronic safe, cable and wireless internet connection, telephone with integrated answering machine, private bathroom and a mini bar with a fine selection of local products. The bathrooms are entirely in Carrara marble and offer all the European comforts with either a bath or shower and have an exclusive assortment of courtesy beauty products by Annick Goutal.
The spa “Bené” is located on the lower floor of Villino Eugenia and it is connected to the main residence by an underground tunnel. It is equipped with a small gym, tepidarium, sauna, hammam and three rooms for personalized treatments, a duo cabin for couples massages and a cabin with a bathtub reserved to balneotherapy. The wellness center offers Asian and European massages as well as beauty treatments in collaboration with prestigious cosmetic partners. The partner for facial care is the skincare line of the beauty guru Sarah Chapman, the most appreciated and affirmed facialist in London. Her award-winning "customized" skincare line is sought after by beauty experts, journalists and celebrities from all over the world thanks to famous treatment "Skinesis Facial", the perfect combination of sophisticated manual techniques and cutting-edge cosmetic technology based on cosmetic active ingredients that guarantee amazing results. The partner selected for body rituals is the historical Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, founded in Florence in 1612. There are four "signature treatments" with aromatic herbs, moisturizing oils and pure essential oils: Iris ritual, Rose ritual, Grape seed ritual, Oil ritual. Thanks its highly-skilled professional staff and personalized treatments that combine luxurious formulations from the absolute scientific rigor, natural extracts and manual techniques, the Spa offers its customers the extraordinary benefits of its research philosophy of authentic beauty and total well-being. To regain energy and equilibrium the spa offer is completed with individual Pilates and Yoga lessons followed by dedicated personal trainer. Additionally, healthy restaurant menus in accordance with the programs are offered by the center.
Villa Cora hosts a large outdoor pool, located in the Italian park in the shadow of majestic oak trees. The floor of the area and the pool water are heated. Peculiarities of the garden is the presence of more than 100 types of roses in soft pastel colors like white, pink and salmon, among the most precious varieties: British, French and ancient roses decorating the park between evergreen hedges. With an area of over 900 square meters, the beautiful park is perfectly suited for outdoor events and ceremonies in a romantic atmosphere.
The kitchen offers a classic cuisine reinterpreted with seasonal products, mainly local selected by the Executive Chef Alessandro Liberatore. For breakfast, the buffet includes a variety of bakery products, like cakes, croissants and breads, fresh fruit and juices, eggs prepared in different ways, assorted cheeses, smoked fish and meats. For lunch, from Monday to Friday, there are special menu for business lunches. The cuisine identifies the true luxury with manic selection of excellent raw materials to bring to light the authentic flavors of Italian tradition. In the winter, the restaurant is located inside the villa in the marvelous Moorish Hall, one of the most beautiful and fascinating of the house, with oriental style and a domed ceiling with original fresco of Antonio Caremmi. From April to October the restaurant moves to Le Bistrot in the winter garden by the pool, which allows to enjoy the beauty of the park. Le Bistrot restaurant hosts wine and foods events as Pizza & Champagne and Sunday Barbecue.
Villa Cora is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
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