Il Rivalta is a part of the "A Place of Charm" hotel group, this hotel absolutely lives up to that claim.
Perched on the side of the Arno, steps from the Ponte Santa Trinita and the very tempting Tournabuoni (all things luxury and I am very proud of myself for not pining over things I cannot afford), the location of this hotel is clutch. Within minutes, you're by Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza Vecchio, the Duomo, Santo Spirito etc. -- Yet not right in the heart of the chaos of Ponte Vecchio which is a force, even in the off season, when we were visiting.
The hotel is simply elegant. You enter through a peaceful courtyard that has plenty of seating and the building has a six centuries history, once the palatial residence of generations of powerful families and then a hotel around 100 years ago under a different name.
When we passed through the tall, antique wooden doors of our room, I was just breathless. This is exactly the kind of room I love, spacious, impossibly tall ceilings (a work of art themselves) a bit haunted-feeling (not in the literal sense, don't worry). There's an enormous mantle and non working fireplace, a wardrobe, and modern amenities like a coffee maker. The bed is sumptuous and has lovely linens (sleeping came so easy). This is NOT your high end corporate hotel room. You're staying in a historic room of a palace.
The other thing I loved and that I'm still thinking about-- that breakfast. It's served in their gorgeous restaurant that's on the street side, an abundant spread of a lot of things I don't eat, but my husband eats (meats, cheeses, hot breakfast food like bacon and eggs), as well as vegan options that are clearly marked. I was ecstatic to eat the jam-filled vegan cornetti as well as a bittersweet cake. There's muesli and a variety of non dairy milks. Aaaaaand blessed coffee. I'm an espresso lover, the real Italiano deal and I unabashedly served myself upwards of four shots every morning (it's a machine that's easy to operate and I prefer that to having to keep asking the waitress for another dopio).
The only two things less than amazing: the tiny shower that I wouldn't expect in a hotel of this caliber and the lack of bathrobes, again, something I'd expect in a hotel of this caliber.
We absolutely loved our time here and will most likely stay here again. read more