This is only today as I open up blogs such as the Sartorialist, Jak & Jil, Style Rookie etc. again that I realized how further and further away I seemed to have gone from fashion, the subject I loved and adored for so many years, and worked for and towards. I still do, but have hardly any time for it... This isn't just some lame excuse, but I guess for now, the luxury industry in all its glamor and various division will be my constant companion. I miss fashion, I really do.
Il Salviatino Hotel, as I mentioned before, is in a category of its own. It has no "stars" because it is above it all. On the way to find this place, I asked for directions and was mislead up a different little hill that situated the Salviatino Hostel.... That's another story. Let's continue with the amazing, real, luxury, Salviatino Hotel.
Once arrived at the gate, the porter called for us to wait for our ride up the hill, a Mercedes 10 seater maybe. Even the porter was a view to look at, grey and silver hair flowing to the shoulders. Beautiful posture and extremely charming. As we climb up wind up, view of the hotel came in, first the gardens and then the terrace, and then the grand building itself. The "ambassadors" served coffee, tea, croissants, tiny macaroons, as you wish whichever, and we were set to enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
The villa was built in the 14th century, used as a school for some time. The Salviatino Hotel opened 2 years ago for renovations and has been accommodating guests only for 1 month till now. For example in this suite below you could see the fresco from the 16th century, well preserved. It is right next to the villa library and costs 4000 euros per night, but for this new opening, they are offering special promotional prices at 500 euros. Well worth the money if you could manage to get yourself into Florence now and book immediately. The offer lasts till end of May, and from then on, it has been quite fully booked also. Though the villa is of age, the hotel incorporated technology into its use, having a multifunction screen set behind the closet mirror of every room, used for internet, watching tv, videos, listening to music, etc.
This here is looking up from the first floor at the half-transparent living room floor of the grand dome suite on the fourth. In the next photo is the floor we are talking about here. That living room is just too BEAUTIFUL.
Here is their temporary fitness center, after which you could enjoy a great shower and maybe a traditional thai massage performed by professional "imported" straight from thailand.
Taking the ride downhill with a golf car. Even this became an enjoyment.
The session with the General Manager of the hotel was really very enjoyable, it was more about observing how attentive his is, and understanding that this man is what makes the hotel tick, the one behind its great customers services and magic. After the session, as we requested for the presentation, we were given each a 4GB usb stick with the presentation transfered inside beforehand and an offer of free massage a few weeks later. There will be two more sessions at the Salviatino, and I hope to bring more information afterwards. Of course, they are excuses for me to enjoy what I am doing here in Florence.
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