Iconic City Hotels of the World

Villa Cora Living like a lord in the centre of Florence Iconic City Hotels of the World V illa Cora is located in a centuries-old park that overlooks the Boboli Gardens, on the hills just outside the historical centre of Florence. The villa is an aristocratic residence built at the end of the XIX century upon commission by Baron Oppenheim reflecting the architectural styles of that period. It is dominated by a strong eclectic decor that provides the villa with different, sometimes even bizarre, artistic styles. Villa Cora, inaugurated when Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, has become throughout the years one of the major cultural and cosmopolitan symbols of Florence. The striking property earned its reputation by hosting international guests of great importance, such as Princess Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III, and the Russian composer Tchaikovsky. In addition, it has always been considered the most beautiful residence of the Tuscan capital. Villa Cora became an exclusive grand hotel at the end of 1960 and reopened in late 2010 after a detailed three-year restoration. In 2016, Villa Cora became part of The Leading Hotels of the World, the respected worldwide association of luxury independent hotels. The hotel has 44 rooms and suites, located across the main villa and two adjacent buildings, which were restored to the minutest of details with the aim of conserving the original architectural style as much as possible. In the villa, there are 29 suites and rooms divided into 4 floors, each with its own style. The first, known as the "noble floor" is strongly characterised by its marvelolus frescoes; the second is dedicated to the ex- empress Eugenia widow of Napoleon III and to the roses that were her favorite flower, while the third one is the floor dedicated to the Orient, in pure Moorish spirit. Villa Cora has a large outdoor, heated pool, which is a welcome retreat from the bustling city. This restful enclave is shaded under majestic oak trees and surrounded by the extensive gardens. British, French and ancient roses prolifereate in a unique parkland between evergreen hedges offering an ideal venue for outdoor events