We enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants privacy, peace and quiet, and an immensely impressive room and hotel to invite guests or clients.
The Hotel is called the GRAND Hotel Villa Cora for a reason.... it is GRAND.
The building was built around 130 years ago by Baron Oppenheim in honour of his beautiful wife. It is obvious that the grandiose ballroom, salons and parlours must have been the scene of numerous receptions and parties because after the Oppenheims, the Empress Eugenia (widow of Napoleon III) chose the Villa Cora to be her home too.
The hotel has only recently been restored to its original glory. Apparently, every room has at least one antique piece, and many, more than one.
There was a great deal of privacy afforded to us as there are only 30 rooms in the main building, 15 in the building out near the pool, and the guard house has two. Our room had a small verandah and looked out over a great fountain and gardens. It was very peaceful as the hotel is set back from the road on all sides.
The pool - in keeping with the rest of the place - is flamboyant and beautiful. It has statues and a tall hedge on one side, and the "Verandah Restaurant" on the other. The buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and is served beside the pool. The wait staff were immaculate and very friendly.
In terms of services, all rooms have radio, colour TV, private safe, air conditioning and a bar fridge.
The location of the hotel is not the most convenient if you are one who enjoys being in the centre of the tourist mile and needs to be able to walk directly out onto the Ponte Vecchio. However, if you prefer a peaceful tree-lined street, nearer the Giardino di Boboli, then this is an ideal location. There is a friendly chauffer who will take you to the city centre which is about a 10 minute ride.
For business travelers, this hotel is equipped to offer resplendent rooms for meetings, conventions, special events and promotions.