La Gemma
Art Deco-meets-contemporary Florentine jewel box. Bold colour, lush textures, and a warmly personal family-run atmosphere. Feels fashionable without being stiff.
Request the chef's table at Luca's for a direct view of the open show kitchen — dishes arriving course by course are half the show
Why It Matters
One of Florence's newest five-star boutique hotels, already holding a Michelin star for its on-site restaurant Luca's. The color palette — all emerald, blush, and ivory — mirrors the Duomo visible from some rooms and the rooftop. Part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and Mr & Mrs Smith.
La Gemma opened in June 2023 inside the 19th-century Palazzo Paoletti — a building that once housed Florence's Guild of Hoteliers — and it wears that history lightly. The interiors, designed around an emerald green, blush pink, and ivory palette directly inspired by the nearby Duomo's marble facade, feel like a jewel box: plush velvet, brass details, botanical wallpaper, herringbone parquet. All 39 rooms spread across five floors. The Cecchi family, who come from fashion and real-estate, own and run it — and you feel that personal touch from the moment you arrive. The real headline is Luca's Restaurant, where Italo-Argentine chef Paulo Airaudo (six Michelin stars across his other restaurants globally) earned the property its first Michelin star.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Deluxe Room
Generous proportions by Florence city-centre standards, with rich textures and bespoke décor. The extra floor space makes unwinding easier after a day on your feet pounding Renaissance stones.
30 sqmExecutive Suite
Top-floor loft with two elegant bedrooms, a separate living area, one marble bathroom, and an enclosed terrace with open sky views. The best option for families travelling with young children — proper separation of sleeping and living zones without sacrificing the hotel's signature design.
61 sqmJunior Suite
The real sweet spot. A separate sitting area, guaranteed city views including the Duomo, white marble bathroom, and a personal coffee station. Some units have a private terrace — worth specifying at booking. Think plush green velvets, botanical wallpaper, brass details, blackout curtains, and Smart TVs in both the bedroom and living area.
35 sqmLoft Suite
Located under the original attic beams of Palazzo Paoletti, the Loft Suites have an open-plan layout that merges sleeping and lounging spaces. Some come with private patios and freestanding bathtubs. The exposed timber above your head plus natural light flooding in gives these a romantic, slightly rustic character that's unlike anything else in the hotel.
38 sqmPrestige Suite
Spread across two or three distinct areas. Some units add a private balcony or a marble bathroom with a full bathtub. The room count here gives proper suite-style space — living, sleeping, and in some cases a separate dressing area.
45 sqmSignature Room
The most compact room category, but don't mistake small for plain. Italian craftsmanship throughout: complimentary minibar, cocktail station, Faber espresso machine, soundproof windows, and Votary bath products. Marble bathroom with walk-in shower. At 215 sq ft, it works for a couple who plan to spend most of their time out in Florence.
20 sqmSuperior Room
Bigger breathing room than the Signature category. Warm Italian design, adaptable furnishings, soundproof windows overlooking either the quiet street or inner courtyard. All the same in-room perks: minibar, cocktail station, espresso machine.
27 sqmTwo Bedroom Suite
Two full bedrooms, two marble bathrooms, and a stylish living area with city views — built for two couples or families who want privacy without separate rooms. Same size as the Executive Suite but configured differently, with two full bathrooms being the key advantage.
61 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
7-hour guided tour through Chianti's rolling hills and medieval villages. Includes winery visits, tastings, and a Tuscan lunch.
A curated tour through Florence's artisanal food scene — schiacciata, street snacks, local producers.
Fly over Tuscany's vineyards and historic wine estates from above.
Hands-on cooking with local chefs — handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and traditional Tuscan pastries.
Full truffle hunting experience in the Tuscan countryside, followed by a truffle-themed lunch with wine pairing.
Curated Tuscan wine tastings and behind-the-bar mixology masterclasses arranged by the hotel concierge. Advance booking required.
Private photoshoot with a local photographer at Florence's most iconic landmarks and charming backstreets.
Guided walking tours of Florence's historic landmarks and Renaissance masterpieces, arranged by the hotel.
Exclusive visit to a boutique perfumery in a frescoed historic building, guided by a master perfumer who helps guests craft a bespoke signature scent.
Visit a sculptor's working studio in a Renaissance palazzo on the Arno, meet the artist, and try marble carving using traditional tools.
Full-day guided tour covering Siena's historic landmarks and San Gimignano's iconic medieval towers, with countryside lunch and wine tasting.
Guided full-day journey through one of Tuscany's most scenic landscapes, including a prestigious winery visit with Brunello di Montalcino tasting.
Private access booking to the Vasari Corridor — Florence's hidden elevated passageway connecting the Uffizi to Palazzo Pitti, long closed to the public.
Guided horseback riding through Tuscan valleys, vineyards, and ancient ruins — suitable for couples, families, and beginners.
Float above the Val d'Orcia or Chianti hills at sunrise or sunset, paired with Prosecco and a gourmet picnic.
Explore Tuscany in a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Maserati — either self-drive or with a private chauffeur.
Private helicopter tour over Florence and Tuscany — options include winery visits, Michelin-starred lunches, or coastal destinations.
Classic Vespa ride through Tuscan hills, vineyards, and olive groves, with wine tastings and a traditional Tuscan lunch.
Tailored shopping experience through Florence's finest boutiques and designer studios with a dedicated personal stylist.
Seasonal private dining on the rooftop terrace, served by a private butler with Luca's 4-course tasting menu and sommelier-selected wine pairings. Views over the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Marble chequerboard floor bar with signature cocktails named after Cecchi family members ('The Fantasist', 'She's a Riot'), extensive wine cellar, and lunchtime tapas menu.
Italian-made Faber espresso machine in every room.
All rooms feature soundproof windows, keeping the buzz of central Florence completely outside.
Rooms stocked with both travel-size Votary toiletries to take home and full-size bottles in the shower.
Rivolta Carmignani robes. Slippers are in signature emerald green, laid out fresh each evening.
Stocked with water, juice, soft drinks, and snacks. Restocked daily at no charge.
Cocktail-making kit in every room, allowing guests to mix drinks in their own space.
Panoramic rooftop with direct views of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. No bar service, but guests can bring drinks from the lobby bar or room cocktail station. Seasonal private dining available.
Dedicated concierge team for arranging private transfers, custom city experiences, restaurant reservations, and Tuscany day trips. Contact: concierge@lagemmahotel.com.
One dog or cat permitted per room. Plush velvet pet beds, stainless steel bowls, and a welcome gift bag provided. €35 per day pet fee. Dogs welcome throughout the hotel except in Allure Spa.
Evening turndown includes fresh water on the bedside table and slippers laid out.
Traditional hammam in the hotel's historic cellars, part of the Allure Spa wet circuit.
Sauna and cold-water cascade available as part of the Allure Spa circuit.
Part of the Allure Spa wellness circuit in the hotel cellars.
On-site private guest parking available for a daily fee.
Valet service available.
BUILD YOUR LA GEMMA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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