I like to think of myself as pretty unflappable, but the crowds crossing Florence’s Ponte Vecchio and circling its iconic Duomo have me feeling frazzled almost immediately.

The sights, sounds and smells of this beloved Italian city are no less than iconic and yet, I find myself counting down to the next 15-minute free shuttle back to Il Salviatino, where the atmosphere is cool, calm and collected.

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“It’s a hotel, and it’s a home,” says owner and creative director Alessandra Rovati Vitali, who is perched elegantly beside me in the flower-filled library. She’s wearing an enviable mossy-green suit and is sipping on a classic Italian cocktail handcrafted by one of her talented mixologists.

“We are relaxed; guests don’t have to wear something special to go to dinner because when you travel, you want to feel free to be elegant, smart or comfortable.”

UNIQUE ROOMS AND SUITES

I find myself wondering which of these categories the legendary artist Salvador Dali would have fallen into during his many visits to the 15th-century Tuscan villa, after poet Ugo Ojetti established it as a cultural hub in the 1900s.

I also wonder which of the 39 rooms was his hideaway of choice, with each of them today being totally unique in size, style and price.

While I know they look completely different to how they would have 100 years ago, surely the Duomo view rooms were a strong contender.

Their large windows give way to gorgeous 180-degree views over Il Salviatino’s 12 acres of landscaped gardens to the red-roofed city beyond. Perfect for families or groups, these connecting rooms can form a luxurious two-bedroom, two-bathroom option.

Another room has been coined the “Salvador Dali room” by hotel staff thanks to its wacky walls and ceiling hand-painted by over 10 artists, while others have painted terrazzo floors and stencilled facades.

The newest rooms are the impressive Greenhouse suites complete with large, standalone baths, curved glass extensions and a private “garden” area.

One thing is consistent though: Alessandra’s exquisite eye for design, which sees her select opulent Italian fabrics, place rare furniture finds (some originating from her own family home) and invite nature inside at every opportunity.

A BRAND-NEW SPA

This nature-first concept is ever present in the recently unveiled Aquae Vitali Spa, which can be located in the villa’s original glasshouse beside – you guessed it – the Greenhouse suites.

My therapist Laura uses elite Augustinus Bader products to lull me into a dreamy daze with a full body massage, then awakens me with a hot tea and exclusive access to a Vichy shower, infrared sauna, hammam, steam room, traditional sauna and heated plunge pool.

The spa is also home to an ice bath and, since I’m a glutton for punishment, I sink right in (and right out after approximately 0.5 seconds).

This whole experience leans into Il Salviatino’s enhanced focus on wellness, but it’s no secret that health isn’t just about a spa.

It’s about an appreciation for the body and mind in all capacities, and of course, what we eat is a crucial part of that.

DISTINGUISHED DINING

Il Salviatino’s dining experience at Giacomo al Salviatino (a restaurant hailing from one of Milan’s most renowned groups) is a sensory masterpiece.

The piece de resistance of the menu, in my pasta-loving opinion, was the tortelli cacio e pepe with raw red prawns, lime and bottarga. My eyes actually roll back into their sockets with the first bite.

Maybe it’s the exemplary skill of head chef Rudy Saderi that tickled my tastebuds, or the fact Giacomo al Salviatino’s dishes draw fresh ingredients from the hotel’s own garden – either way, there wasn’t a single breakfast, lunch or dinner dish I devoured during my two-night stay that wasn’t fit for a king. 

Restaurant manager Luigi is rightly proud of what’s been created here, but his talent doesn’t end with developing an imitable dining experience. He’s a discerning wine connoisseur, perfectly pairing each meal (except, of course, breakfast) with a distinctive local or international wine and an explanation to boot.

WHAT ABOUT THE SERVICE?

This guest service is the sort you only find in Small Luxury Hotels of the World, of which Il Salviatino is one.

Our concierge Paul is a member of Les Clefs d’Or, also known as The Golden Keys. This is a prestigious association of more than 3,000 concierges in 80 countries, with members “an elite fraternity globally connected, committed to professional development and driven to setting new standards for guest service perfection”.

What exactly does that mean? It means when a guest wants two extremely rare – and extremely expensive – Hermes Birkin bags chaperoned from Argentina to Florence for their arrival, Paul makes it happen.

“Everyone can be a concierge but not everyone can be a good concierge,” he says as he walks me to lunch at Florence’s renowned Cibreo restaurant. “You have to love what you do, and you have to think outside of the box.”