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This elegant, stylish, and luxurious haven offers just the right mix of luxury, creativity, and culture right in the heart of one of the world's most fascinating cities. Florence is a wonderful, walkable city, and Hotel Savoy’s central location in Piazza della Repubblica is perfectly placed for exploring and uncovering Florence’ Renaissance. Mere steps from the Duomo, in fact, our balconied corner suite had views to Brunelleschi’s Duomo on one side and the Piazza della Repubblica on the other. The Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, are minutes away, as is pretty much everything you will want to see in Florence, plus of course the fabulous designer shopping all around you. Plus Hotel Savoy has its very own branch of the much lauded Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novella - founded in the 16th century by Dominican friars, it has over 400 years of perfumery tradition - literally in the lobby.
Hotel Savoy has become a respected cultural hub, through its many collaborations with local artisans and cultural institutions, and in a very special collaboration with the esteemed Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi the hotel currently invites art lovers to indulge in a captivating immersive experience and a luxurious art-centric stay. Firstly, the hotel in partnership with Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, is showcasing Tracey Emin's stunning neon artwork, "My Forgotten Heart” to accompany her much anticipated solo show, Sex and Solitude” at Fondazione Palzzo Strozzi, a dynamic cultural centre set within a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, a focal point of Italy’s art scene and a key cultural hub in the heart of Florence. This dazzling contemporary masterpiece is radiating its magical neon hues over the lobby, in a compelling contrast to the hotel's elegant classical architecture, in a perfect manifestation of the dynamic style of Olga Polizzi, the hotel’s design director, who is well known for her masterful blend of rich heritage with bold expressions of the present. Further - guests booking “The Renaissance Reverie Experience”, will enjoy a stay in an Artist Suite, and enjoy a privileged after hours access and an exclusive personal tour of the exhibition with the general director of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Arturo Galansin. He shares with me, “We are delighted to celebrate Palazzo Strozzi’s longstanding alliance with Rocco Forte Hotels through the special installation of Tracey Emin’s “My Forgotten Heart” at Hotel Savoy, on the occasion of her exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi. Emin’s work transcends the traditional boundaries between art and life, and bringing one of her iconic neons into the heart of the city offers a powerful introduction to her poetic and emotional language. Displayed at the hotel’s entrance, “My Forgotten Heart” - with its trembling light and handwritten intimacy - becomes a luminous fragment of the exhibition itself: an emotional spark inviting reflection and connection. This partnership strengthens the shared mission of Palazzo Strozzi and Rocco Forte Hotels to make contemporary art an integral part of Florence’s cultural identity.” The exhibition marks a monumental moment for contemporary art, adding a luminous addition to Florence's cultural landscape. The British artist, now a Dame of the British Empire is renowned for transforming raw emotion into provocative, deeply personal works, is also making waves outside the museum walls in this remarkable collaboration between Palazzo Strozzi and Hotel Savoy, that embodies a vibrant commitment to art and culture.
The private viewing will be followed by an evening walk around the city and a special cocktail crafted by renowned maestro Salvatore Calabrese and his team, blending creativity and indulgence, back at the newly unveiled Artemisia Bar, before dining at the newly unveiled restaurant, Irene. Named after Sir Rocco Forte’s mother, Irene honors her culinary skill and hospitality in an intimate and charming setting. Stunningly designed, the restaurant boasts luxurious Loro Piana fabrics, hand-blown Venetian chandeliers, and Pietrasanta marble, reminiscent of a Florentine home. The terrace on Piazza della Repubblica offers prime views of city life, making it a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the atmosphere. Meanwhile, chef Fulvio Pierangelini’s menu features a delicate take on authentic Tuscan cuisine, crafted from handpicked seasonal ingredients.
British artist Dame Tracey Emin and the director, Arturo Galansin have been planning and curating the exhibition for over seven years. Emin is one of the most significant contemporary artists today. Celebrated for her raw and personal storytelling style, she bravely confronts the complex realities of the human experience. The artist draws on her own life to inform her work, referencing deeply intimate experiences from her sexual history, abuse, and abortion to gender, relationships, and, most recently, her cancer and disability. Her art lays bare her hopes, triumphs, and the vulnerable moments we all face, often combining pain and honesty in a striking way. What’s even more captivating is her ability to balance the heavy with the humorous, shedding light on the intimate details of her life while inviting us to reflect on our own experiences.
The exhibition brings contemporary art into dialogue with the city’s rich artistic heritage. "Sex and Solitude" is Tracey Emin's first institutional solo show in Italy, amalgamating an astonishing selection of over 60 remarkable mixed media works, curated along a thematic path rather than a chronological timeline. Emin refuses to show her work unless the space feels right, prioritising to show in cities, towns, and countries that she feels good about, and for her, “Palazzo Strozzi is absolutely wonderful, both architecturally and historically. The way it’s situated, the shape of the rooms - everything about it really suits me. I’m so excited to have my work displayed in this stunning environment and to be showing in Italy, in Florence! It’s just incredible”.
From the moment you cast eyes on the Palazzo, you witness Emin’s mastery of neon through her titular neon sign proclaiming, “Sex and Solitude” casting its shimmering blue light over the building's magnificent facade. The impact is striking and contrasting yet beautifully harmonises with the historic architecture. Emin is of course no stranger to neon. Growing up in the Kent seaside town of Margate, neon has been a vibrant constant throughout her life, and she has been working with it since 2015. Her captivating handwritten neon signage creates a poignant connection to her beloved seaside hometown while cleverly subverting the conventional use of neon, transforming it into a profound artistic statement.
Many of her historical and recent works, and those created specifically for the exhibition delve into themes of passion, vulnerability, and self-expression, the importance of solitude, and the relevance of sex in her practice. Emin's openness about sexuality is both refreshing and profound. 'Sex has always been complicated for me. When I was younger, around fourteen or fifteen, sex was a vehicle - a way of exploring, seeing the world through people, and feeling connected to others. But then I realized I was giving much more than I was receiving and wasn’t happy.’ Emin has learned to embrace solitude in her life and work. For her, solitude is one of the greatest and most amazing feelings, offering a deep understanding of nature, time, and an intimate connection with oneself. Emin describes those moments of solitude as a state of complete harmony—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Although it was not always so, Emin admits to previously confusing loneliness with solitude. In a series of exciting firsts, several standout pieces are being showcased in Italy for the very first time. Among these is the monumental and powerful bronze sculpture "I Followed You to the End" (2024), installed in the stunning Renaissance courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi. This piece sets the tone for the enchanting exhibition and highlights the magnificent architecture of the Palazzo itself, while paying homage to Florence’s rich history of bronze sculpture which dates back to the 15th-century Renaissance period when Ghiberti famously held a contest to design the baptistery’s North door. Emin's recent project for the National Portrait Gallery's bronze doors channels a similar spirit to that of the legendary Ghiberti. She reflects on her journey, saying, 'For years, I've wanted to create large bronze sculptures, figurative ones derived from my drawings. But I didn’t know how, and I didn’t want to cheat. I wanted to learn for myself. “Through this exploration, Emin formed friendships with other incredible artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Jerry Gorovoy, and Scott Lyon Wall, who also work with this dynamic medium. Additionally, she honed her skills at an art foundry in New York, mastering the lost-wax technique from the ground up. The seminal installation "Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made" (1996) adds an intriguing depth to the experience.
Despite the sombre tones of her works, they celebrate life and the spontaneity of self-expression, Emin passionately suggests that, no matter the difficulties life throws our way, the power of art always emerges victorious. The breadth of her practice is vast, and whereas many people may be aware of the controversy of “My Bed” (1997), shocking statements, and wild ways, the fact Emin is honoured with this staggering show, in such a prestigious location, speaks volumes, as does the relevance and breadth of her work. I was blown away, and to have this private access, and the opportunity to experience the incredible architecture and history of the Palazzo with no one around truly enriches the experience, plus the guidance of such an eminent art curator is such an incredible opportunity. To stay at Hotel Savoy, celebrated for its service, luxury, creativity, and culture, right in the heart of one of the world's most captivating cities is one you will not soon forget. The Reverie Experience offers a stunning visual feast that celebrates both the art and the space it inhabits. Whether you’re staying overnight or just stopping by for a drink at Artemisia Bar, or dinner at Irene, or to experience the collaboration between Tracey Emin and Palazzo Strozzi, Hotel Savoy is a must visit.
Bookings are available until the 20th July, when the exhibition ends.