Travel FAQs: Auberge Collection’s Collegio alla Querce - Collegio alla Querce

Before You Decide

• What kind of hotel is Collegio alla Querce?
  Collegio alla Querce is a luxury 5-star resort set in a restored 16th-century building on a hillside just north of Florence’s historic center. The property operated as a prestigious boarding school from 1868, founded by the Barnabite Fathers, before its transformation into an 83-room hotel that opened in March 2025. Owned by Analjit Singh’s Leeu Collection and managed by Auberge Collection, the building retains its original chapel, theater, hand-painted frescoes, and coffered ceilings. Terraced gardens overlook the city with panoramic views of the Duomo. Four dining venues, the Aelia Spa, and a seasonal pool complete a property that feels more like a private estate than a conventional hotel.
• Is Collegio alla Querce in central Florence?
  Not exactly, and that’s the point. Collegio alla Querce sits on a hillside about 15 minutes north of Florence’s historic center, connected by a complimentary shuttle running from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM. The shuttle drops guests at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, one of the city’s most beautiful Renaissance squares. The hillside position gives guests something hotels in the centro storico can’t: panoramic Duomo views, terraced gardens, real quiet, and the feeling of a private estate. The rhythm of heading into Florence for the day and returning to the hillside in the evening is the best way to experience the city without the exhaustion of being in it 24 hours a day. Florence’s Peretola airport is also about 15 minutes away.
• Is Collegio alla Querce good for couples?
  Yes. The combination of frescoed suites, terraced gardens overlooking Florence, and sunset views of the Duomo creates a setting that is hard to match in Tuscany. Suites like Santa Maria del Fiore have private terraces with direct cathedral views. Evenings can start with cocktails at Bar Bertelli, set in the former headmaster’s office, and continue with dinner at La Gamella. The Aelia Spa offers couples treatments with garden terrace views. The property has the intimacy of a private hillside estate while sitting 15 minutes from one of the world’s great cities. Well suited to honeymoons, anniversaries, or any trip where two guests want to disappear a little.
• What are the room options at Collegio alla Querce?
  Collegio alla Querce has 83 rooms across two categories: 49 guest rooms and 34 suites, including 28 suites and 6 signature one-of-a-kind rooms. No two are alike. Many retain original architectural features, from hand-painted frescoes to coffered ceilings, and some suites include private wine cellars. Bathrooms are lined in stone. Multi-bedroom configurations are available for families or groups. The flagship is Penthouse La Quercia, a 2,250 square foot residence in the private Palazzo Moderno with sweeping city views. The building’s history as a boarding school means rooms come in unusual shapes and proportions, giving each space a character that purpose-built hotels cannot replicate.
• Is there a resort fee at Collegio alla Querce?
  No. Collegio alla Querce does not charge a resort fee. Spa treatments are subject to Italy’s 10% VAT. Valet parking is available at €60 per night for hotel guests. That is it for added charges beyond the room rate and dining. Worth noting when comparing with other properties in Florence, where fees can add up quickly.
• What dining options are at Collegio alla Querce?
  Four distinct venues, each worth time. La Gamella is the signature restaurant, serving Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is a culinary destination in its own right, not hotel dining by default. Bar Bertelli occupies the former headmaster’s office and serves evening cocktails in a setting that feels like a private cigar lounge. Il Bosco opens seasonally on May 1 with al fresco poolside dining and aperitif cocktails. The Conservatorio is an all-day lounge for lighter moments. The culinary program at Collegio alla Querce is a reason to choose the hotel, not a convenience once you are there.
• What experiences can I arrange through the hotel?
  Everything is bespoke, arranged through a concierge team with deep personal contacts throughout Florence and Tuscany. Pasta-making classes, after-hours access to the Accademia Gallery, private gallery tours, and Chianti countryside excursions are all on the menu. On property, the gardens host yoga sessions and sound-bathing experiences. The team specializes in insider Florence, the kind of access and introductions that cannot be booked through a travel app. For specific interests, reach out before arrival. The best experiences at Collegio alla Querce come from a conversation with the concierge, not a brochure.

Getting Around Florence and Cultural Etiquette

• How do I get between Collegio alla Querce and Florence’s historic center?
  The complimentary hotel shuttle runs from 10 AM to 7:30 PM, dropping guests at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata. It is a beautiful starting point, one of Florence’s finest Renaissance piazzas and just steps from the Duomo and the Accademia. A taxi back to the hotel costs roughly €15 to €20. Walking is possible, about 30 minutes downhill into the city, though the uphill return is steeper. Many guests settle into a rhythm: shuttle down in the morning, explore on foot, taxi back in the evening. The transition from bustling Florence streets to the quiet hillside gardens is one of the small pleasures of staying here.
• What should I know about dress codes in Florence?
  Florence is stylish but not stuffy. For churches including the Duomo, Santa Croce, and San Lorenzo, shoulders and knees must be covered. A light scarf or cardigan in your bag solves this easily. At Collegio alla Querce, La Gamella and Bar Bertelli call for smart casual. There is no strict dress code, but Florentines tend to dress well, and guests feel more at home dressing the same way. The most practical advice: bring comfortable walking shoes with good soles. Florence’s streets are cobblestone, and you cover more ground on foot than you expect. Save the nice shoes for dinner at the hotel.
• How does tipping work in Florence?
  Italy is not a heavy-tipping culture, and you will not offend anyone by not leaving extra. Most restaurant bills include a coperto (cover charge), which is standard, not a tip. For good service at a restaurant, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent is appreciated but never expected. Bartenders don’t expect tips for drinks. At Collegio alla Querce, tipping follows the conventions of luxury hotels globally. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest euro is common. The simplest rule: tip when service genuinely impresses you, not out of obligation.
• What’s the best way to get around Florence?
  On foot. Florence’s historic center is remarkably compact, and most major sites are within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. The city has a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) in the center that restricts private vehicles, so driving is impractical and potentially expensive if you accidentally enter without authorization (the fines are real). Taxis are available and useful for getting back to Collegio alla Querce after the shuttle stops running. Do not rent a car for city exploration. For day trips to Chianti, San Gimignano, or Siena, the hotel concierge can arrange private drivers, which is more relaxing than dealing with Italian road signs and parking.
• What cultural customs should I know as a visitor to Florence?
  A few small things that make a big difference. Greet shopkeepers and restaurant staff with “Buongiorno” in the morning or “Buonasera” in the evening when you walk in. Lunch is typically 12:30 to 2:30 PM, dinner 7:30 to 10:00 PM, and many restaurants close between services. Ordering a cappuccino after 11 AM marks you as a tourist (espresso is the all-day drink). Coffee at the bar is cheaper than sitting at a table. Aperitivo hour, roughly 6 to 8 PM, is a social institution: order a drink and you often get complimentary snacks. Embrace the pace. Florence rewards people who slow down and pay attention.
• Is Florence safe for walking at night?
  Yes. Florence is generally very safe, including the historic center after dark. Main streets and piazzas stay lively well into the evening, particularly around the Santa Croce and Santo Spirito neighborhoods where restaurants and bars keep the energy going. Late at night, apply the same common sense you would in any European city: stick to well-lit streets, be aware of your surroundings, and keep valuables secure. The walk between major landmarks feels comfortable at most hours. For returning to Collegio alla Querce after the shuttle stops at 7:30 PM, a taxi from the center takes about 15 minutes.

Once You’re Here

• What’s the pool and spa situation?
  The outdoor pool sits in Collegio alla Querce’s terraced gardens with views over Florence, open seasonally from April 15 through September 30. Cafe Focolare serves food and drinks poolside during pool season. The Aelia Spa operates year-round, offering bespoke wellness rituals in treatment rooms with garden terrace views. External guests are welcome at the spa, so you can invite friends staying elsewhere in Florence to join you. Book popular treatment times early, especially on weekends and during peak season.
• Is Collegio alla Querce good for events or weddings?
  Yes. The original chapel, garden lawns with Florence as a backdrop, and intimate indoor spaces give Collegio alla Querce a range of settings that most city hotels cannot offer. Total meeting and event space is approximately 4,865 square feet, suitable for everything from small board meetings to weddings. The former theater adds a distinctive option for presentations or performances. The events team at Collegio alla Querce handles details from catering to florals. For weddings, the combination of a consecrated chapel, Tuscan gardens, and panoramic Duomo views makes a strong case without much effort.
• Can non-guests visit the restaurants or spa?
  Yes. External guests are welcome at all restaurants and the Aelia Spa. Complimentary parking is available for up to three hours with validation, making it easy for friends, family, or business contacts staying elsewhere in Florence to meet you at the hotel. No overnight parking for non-guests. This is useful for longer stays when you want to host people at La Gamella or Bar Bertelli without everyone needing to be a hotel guest. Reservations are recommended for dinner at La Gamella and for all spa treatments.
• What should I not miss at Collegio alla Querce?
  Four things guests consistently mention. First, sunset from the garden terrace: watching the light change on the Duomo is one of Florence’s best viewing spots. Second, an evening at Bar Bertelli, the former headmaster’s office with its own story and atmosphere. Third, morning coffee in the gardens before the city wakes up, when the hillside is quiet and Florence spreads out below. Fourth, the original chapel, a small, beautiful space that connects you to the building’s centuries of history. The boarding school past gives Collegio alla Querce layers that purpose-built hotels cannot replicate. Wander the halls and you feel it.

Stay at Collegio alla Querce