Rocco Forte unveils new designs for Savoy and de Russie

Rocco Forte Hotels has completed headline design projects at two of its Italian flagships, unveiling a refurbished Hotel Savoy in Florence and the latest renovation phase at Hotel de Russie in Rome that aim to link luxury hospitality more closely to local culture and craft.

Florence’s Hotel Savoy emerges from multi-year revamp

Located on Piazza della Repubblica in the historic heart of Florence, Hotel Savoy has re-emerged from a multi‑year refurbishment positioned as a contemporary tribute to the city’s artistic heritage. Publicly available information from the group indicates that the project represents a significant capital investment and marks one of the most extensive updates at the property in recent years.

The redesign has been led by Rocco Forte Hotels’ director of design Olga Polizzi in collaboration with local architects and artisans. Reports describe an approach that prioritises a sense of place, with materials, colours and artwork chosen to echo the palazzi, galleries and fashion houses that surround the hotel. The result is a look that is lighter and more residential in tone, while maintaining the property’s classic grand‑hotel proportions.

Guestrooms and suites have been reconfigured to feel more spacious, with layouts intended to maximise natural light from windows overlooking the piazza and neighbouring streets. Soft furnishings have been updated in a palette that references Florentine stone, terracotta and the soft greens of the Arno, while contemporary Italian design pieces sit alongside more traditional detailing.

The lobby and social areas, long a meeting point for both visitors and residents, have been rethought to function as a more flexible living room for the city. Design coverage notes new custom furniture, locally made lighting and curated art that nods to Florence’s role in fashion and textile design, underscoring the hotel’s ambition to act as a bridge between historic surroundings and present‑day life.

Interiors showcase Florentine craft and contemporary Italian style

One of the central themes of the Savoy revamp is an emphasis on Florentine craftsmanship. According to published material from the brand, the project followed a “kilometre zero” philosophy, prioritising local workshops for joinery, metalwork, fabrics and decorative finishes. This approach is intended both to support regional makers and to give interiors a texture that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Art and design partnerships reinforce this local focus. Patterns and colours associated with Tuscan fashion houses sit alongside bespoke pieces created for the hotel, from metal tables and mirrors to upholstered seating. The visual language is deliberately eclectic, combining bold contemporary artwork with classic Italian lines to create a sense of evolution rather than wholesale reinvention.

Food and beverage spaces have also been refreshed, with the restaurant and bar opening directly onto the busy piazza. Public information highlights a new façade treatment and reworked veranda that blur the line between indoor and outdoor dining, positioning the hotel as part of Florence’s café culture as much as a retreat from it. The aim is to keep the property integrated into daily city life while offering the privacy and service levels expected at a five‑star address.

For travellers, the redesign is likely to be felt most in the way spaces flow together. The updated scheme seeks to guide guests from the square into a sequence of lounges, bar areas and corridors that each present different views of the city, rather than separating the hotel sharply from its surroundings. Industry observers note that this aligns with a wider Italian trend toward hotels that function as cultural hubs as well as places to sleep.

Hotel de Russie completes new phase of renovation in Rome

In Rome, Hotel de Russie has reached a new milestone in its own long‑running transformation. Situated between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, the property has undergone an extensive renovation programme culminating in the latest phase of works on rooms, suites and public areas. Information released by the group indicates that overall investment at the hotel in recent years runs to several tens of millions of euros.

The Roman project, again overseen by Olga Polizzi alongside Italian design studios, focuses on reinforcing the building’s identity as a discreet urban resort. Rooms and suites have been updated with a softer, more layered style that references neoclassical Rome through mouldings, colour schemes and artwork, while incorporating contemporary furniture and lighting. Several signature suites, including those with large terraces, have been remodelled to make greater use of outdoor space.

The hotel’s famous tiered gardens, originally shaped by architect Giuseppe Valadier, have also been carefully refreshed. Recent coverage highlights sensitive restoration of stonework and planting intended to preserve the “secret garden” atmosphere that has long distinguished the property from other central Rome hotels. Outdoor lounges and dining areas are now framed with new furniture and lighting designed to encourage guests to spend more time in the open air.

Within the main building, circulation spaces and lounges have been subtly reworked to open up sightlines to the garden. Design details, from patterned textiles to artwork referencing Roman mythology and city landmarks, are used to tie interior schemes back to the hotel’s location. The intention, as described in trade communications, is to create a sense that the city’s architecture and greenery continue seamlessly inside.

Suites, bars and public spaces reimagined for today’s luxury traveler

Across both properties, the most dramatic changes are visible in top‑tier suites and social spaces. At Hotel de Russie, larger suites have been configured as private apartments, with living areas leading onto expansive terraces overlooking Rome’s rooftops and the neighbouring Villa Borghese. Design features such as custom cabinetry, tailored fabrics and curated libraries of books and objects aim to give these spaces a residential feel suitable for longer stays.

The hotel’s bar and restaurant terraces have been repositioned as key gathering points. Reports on the redesign note refreshed colour schemes, new outdoor furnishings and lighting that highlights the vertical garden structure after dark. An emphasis on conviviality is evident in layouts that accommodate both intimate corners and larger groups, reflecting a growing demand for flexible social spaces in high‑end hotels.

In Florence, Hotel Savoy’s ground floor has been reconfigured to place its restaurant and bar at the centre of the guest experience. The dining room now opens more fully onto the piazza, while the bar incorporates a mix of counter seating, low tables and lounge chairs to suit everything from morning coffee to late‑night cocktails. Design details, including patterned floors and statement lighting, are intended to photograph well while remaining practical for daily use.

Meeting and event spaces at both hotels have been updated with new technology and finishes, responding to demand from corporate and private clients who want historic settings paired with contemporary infrastructure. This includes improved lighting, discreetly integrated audio‑visual equipment and more adaptable furnishings, enabling spaces to switch quickly between business and social functions.

Redesigns reflect broader shift in Italian luxury hospitality

The renewed looks at Hotel Savoy and Hotel de Russie come at a time when Italy’s luxury hotel market is expanding, with new international brands entering major cities and existing properties racing to keep pace. Analysts note that significant investments in design are increasingly seen as essential to remain competitive, particularly among travellers who divide their stays between multiple high‑end hotels in Florence, Rome and beyond.

By emphasising local craft, art and architecture, the two projects align with a wider movement toward hotels that act as interpreters of their destinations. Public information from Rocco Forte Hotels frames both redesigns as reinforcements of each property’s original character rather than departures from it, seeking to reassure returning guests while attracting a new generation of visitors.

Travel advisors monitoring the Italian market suggest that the refreshed Savoy may appeal especially to design‑minded guests drawn to Florence’s fashion and gallery scene, while the updated de Russie strengthens its position among travellers who value green space and privacy in the centre of Rome. As both hotels settle into their new looks, their performance is likely to be watched closely as an indicator of how design‑driven upgrades resonate in one of Europe’s most competitive luxury landscapes.

For now, the simultaneous unveiling of major works at these two addresses signals the group’s confidence in continued demand for high‑end city stays in Italy, and in the enduring appeal of hotels that respond thoughtfully to the cities on their doorstep.