Thoughtful design and value combine at Ruby Bea, a Florentine escape by Ruby Hotels that includes its own co-working space. Olivia Palamountain reports
Ruby Hotels has made its Italian debut in Florence with Ruby Bea, alongside a new co-working hub, Ruby Dante Workspaces.
The launch introduces Ruby Hotel’s “lean luxury” concept – which emphasises prime location, thoughtful design and value for money – to one of Italy’s best loved cities.
Ruby Bea is housed in a 19th-century building overlooking the Piazza della Libertà. Nearby is the Ponte Rosso Station, providing easy access to Florence’s public transport network and major attractions.
The hotel’s 118 rooms are available in five categories, ranging from compact cosy rooms for solo travellers to spacious maisonette rooms that can accommodate up to four people – the latter is a new introduction for the brand.
Each two-floored maisonette includes a sofa bed upstairs and a double bed downstairs, creating cosy and private areas for sleeping or lounging. Most feature a private balcony.
The in-room lean luxury concept is expressed via open vanities and glass rain showers, pocket spring mattresses, soundproofing and Ruby Care aromatherapy products.
The hotel philosophy and design, meanwhile, are inspired by the Italian Renaissance, reflecting Florence’s artistic and intellectual legacy.
In the public areas, handpicked decorative elements such as vintage binoculars, balance scales and ornate bird cages add notes of historical charm, offset by unique and playful art.
These include 3D glasses, which are available for guests to explore interactive art installations and head statues.
Additionally, these spaces are complemented by books discussing the concept of perspective, aligning with the hotel’s ethos of “viewing the past through a modern lens”.
Prices at Ruby Bea start from €150 per night for single occupancy during the low season.
The bar area hosts an interactive art installation of convex mirrors, creating distortions that echo throughout the property, while an outdoor terrace offers a space for guests to enjoy drinks and live music.
Adjacent to the hotel, Ruby Dante Workspaces provides 36 workplaces across a variety of options including hot desks, private offices and meeting rooms.
Public areas feature vintage furniture, a kitchen complete with a professional barista coffee machine and a private roof terrace.
Membership prices start at €60 per month, with day passes available from €30.
Coffee, tea, fresh fruit, internet, cleaning and all other ancillary costs are included in the package.