Auberge Resorts Collection has unveiled its first Italian property with the opening of Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection. Set on a scenic hillside in Florence, this 16th-century property offers breathtaking views of the UNESCO-listed Centro Storico and Tuscany’s rolling landscapes. The hotel’s transformation, led by the award-winning Esteva i Esteva architectural firm and Florentine designers ArchFlorence, has resulted in an 83-room luxury retreat that blends historic charm with modern elegance.
Once a centre of learning for over a century, Collegio alla Querce has been meticulously restored while preserving its historic character. The property features 49 guest rooms, 28 suites, and 6 grand suites, including the Residenza la Quercia, a 213-square-metre masterpiece with two living rooms, two bathrooms, a butler’s kitchen, and a rooftop terrace with a private hot tub.
With four distinctive dining venues, the hotel has established itself as a new culinary destination in Florence. La Gamella, the signature restaurant, offers seasonal Italian classics alongside an intimate chef’s table experience at Cicchetti. Conservatorio provides a bright atrium setting for refined light fare and handcrafted pastries, while Café Focolare offers a relaxed poolside atmosphere with pizzas, crudos, and Florence’s renowned panini. For a more intimate and sophisticated setting, Bar Bertelli, located in the former headmaster’s office, serves innovative cocktails, cigars, and historic-inspired bar snacks.
Collegio alla Querce offers exclusive, curated experiences that celebrate Florence’s rich heritage. Guests can take part in chef-led cooking classes at Cicchetti and mixology sessions using local ingredients, or enjoy private tours of Florence’s renowned fashion ateliers, the Accademia Gallery, and the Duomo after hours. For a unique wellness experience, the ‘Opera Sound Bath’ provides a candlelit meditation led by an opera singer. Live music and theatrical performances at Il Teatro showcase artists from the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole and Fondazione Mascarade Opera, while those interested in fragrance can explore the art of Florentine perfume-making with an immersive session at Daniele Cavalli’s Casa Profumoir
The Aelia Spa, in partnership with Furtuna Skin, provides exclusive wellness treatments infused with Sicilian botanicals. The spa features four treatment suites, two with private steam showers, and a secluded outdoor relaxation pool. Signature therapies include Tuscan olive oil and lemon body treatments and post-session olive oil tastings with a custom elixir created exclusively for Auberge Resorts
Read our guide to the best hotels in Florence
The opening of Collegio alla Querce marks Auberge Resorts Collection’s continued expansion into urban and European markets. It will be followed by the highly anticipated Cambridge House, Auberge Resorts Collection, opening in Mayfair, London, in late 2025. The Florence property joins Auberge’s European portfolio, which includes The Woodward in Geneva, Domaine des Etangs in France, and Grace Hotel in Santorini.
For reservations and more information, visit: Auberge Resorts – Collegio alla Querce.
