JK PLACE
Chic and sleek Florentine townhouse treat.
HIDDEN BEHIND A DISCREET townhouse door on an iconic Florentine square, JK Place is more like an elegant private home than a hotel. This
coolly modern and über-chic retreat is all sleek sophistication.
JK Place (the initials are those of the owner’s family), is a residence for those in the know. Intimate in style and run with utter professionalism, this remodelled Renaissance palazzo has retained its ancient architectural lines while sporting a striking
glass-roofed courtyard and delectable rooftop terrace.
Interiors mix the classic, contemporary and supremely comfortable. Stylish collectibles and artworks blend brilliantly with retro 1950s lamps, panelled ceilings, glossy black floors and soothing decor in shades of cream and soft gunmetal grey. It’s
rather like a sophisticated home with scattered books, antiques and help-yourselves drinks.
Hit the spot
Within sight of the world-famous Duomo.
Bedtime
Rediscover A Room with a View in the duplex Penthouse suite with its bathtub views of Florentine rooftops. Master suites have balconies.
Be savvy
Forget the car – access is limited, as you’re in the midst of the city’s pedestrian zones.
Be smitten
Fabulous Florentine find.
Soothing shades
A Charles X fireplace – aglow in winter – sets off the neoclassical bookcases, stuffed armchairs and
zebra-striped fabrics in the vaulted JK Lounge. An airy stairway tiled in pietra serena stone curves through the centre of the house, while check-in takes place in a library lined with books and geometric black woodwork.
Bedrooms – some with four posters – match creature comforts with essential in-room gadgetry. Decorated in restful neutrals – shades of grey, taupe and ivory –
all have super-comfy beds, pampering showers, plenty of fluffy towels and robes. The understated colour palette is set off by abstract art and chrome lamps.
Rooms vary in size and outlook, and Master doubles have
balconies with wonderful views of the Duomo. The duplex Penthouse suite is the eponymous Room with a View, with its mirrored bathtub vista of Florentine terracotta rooftops.
Not that you’ll miss those views if you opt for less costly quarters. The hotel’s nautical, teak-planked
rooftop terrace, with its long lounge bed, is just the place for a cooling aperitivo while watching the city’s twinkly lights. You can nibble on help-yourself cakes and hors d’ouvres in the glass-roofed courtyard, or hang out in the super-stylish Pink Room – with drinks.
Attentive and hospitable staff complement the nicely informal vibe at JK Place. You’re in the perfect location – steps away from Santa Maria Novella church and a
stroll away from Florence’s museums, shops, and galleries. Perfetto!
JK Place was reviewed by
Room for Romance
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.
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Dining in
Start the evening with a cocktail in the ultra-stylish Pink Room. JK Lounge serves a delicious mix of
sushi, salads, fresh pastadelicious Sunday brunch and light Tuscan fare for lunch and dinner, as well as a . You can also sip exotic teas by the fireplace or an aperitivo on the roof.
Dining out
The concierge team at JK Place are spot-on with dining recommendations around town and will ensure you steer clear of tourist traps. Favourites include Buca Mario, famed for its wild boar pasta.
Where?
JK Place
What’s cooking?
Delicious contemporary Tuscan fare and spot-on salads.
Top Table?
Out on the terrace in fine weather.
See & Do
You’re perfectly placed here to dip into the best of Florence. Art lovers should start their cultural foray with a trip to the Uffizi collection, the sculpture-rich Bargello or the arty Palazzo Pitti. Tickets are bookable in advance to beat the queues.
You’ll want to see Michelangelo’s David and stroll across the famous Ponte Vecchio, with its little jewellery shops. Clip-clop through the city on a horse-drawn carriage or admire the greenery in the Boboli gardens. And do pop into Santa Maria Novella church, with its frescoes and art treasures.
Shop
JK Place offers a Personal Shopper service to help you make the most of the city’s designer buys – starting on Via Tornabuoni. Florence is also justly famous for its leather goods and you'll find every kind at artisan shops in the Oltarno district.
After dark
Relax with a nightcap on the rooftop bar and soak up the lights of Florence.
Dates
January
See in the new year at the Sfilata dei Canottieri, when medieval rowing boats parade on the River Arno.
Early February
Dress up and don a mask for Tuscany's version of Venice's famous festival in the Carnevale di Viareggio.
June
Enjoy a feast of Italian opera at the Puccini Festival at nearby Torre del Lago.
GETTING THERE
Location
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 50123 Florence
Parking
Leave the car behind unless you really need it – you’re in the heart of pedestrianised Florence. However, valet parking is available for EUR 32 per night.
Trains
Santa Maria Novella station – 1km.
Taxis
EUR 20 – 25 from the airport.
Airport
Florence Airport – 7km. Pisa Airport (80 mins) has a direct rail service to Florence and a choice of international air services. You can fly to Pisa with EasyJet (from London Gatwick, London Luton or Bristol) or with Ryanair (London Stansted and other points).
Rooms and Suites
20 rooms and suites
Special features
Rooms come with a flatscreen TV and satellite stations, CD/DVD player, internet connection, safe and minibar. Some have four poster beds, and larger suites have a private terrace.
Also…
There’s a rooftop bar with views over Florence, and an honesty bar in the lounge.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 350 – 1,000, including breakfast and complimentary refreshments.
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
14:00
Check–out
Noon
Minimum Stay?
3 nights during Fashion Week (January and July).
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 11:00. Enjoy an array of fresh fruit, pastries and cereals, together with various exotic teas.
Room service
Available until early evening.
Pets
Small dogs are welcome.
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms.
Wedding License?
Symbolic ceremonies can be held with up to 40 guests.