Collegio alla Querce in Florence is a new luxury hotel from Auberge Resorts Collection that features an on-site theatre, pasta-making workshops and olive oil massages. Robbie Hodges reports

Auberge Resorts Collection has expanded its European presence with the opening of Collegio alla Querce in Florence – a hillside hotel with panoramic views over the city’s UNESCO-listed Centro Storico (iconic Duomo included) and the Tuscan countryside beyond.

The newly transformed property was once a boarding school but has an expansive history dating back to the 16th century. And while it’s still retained many of its original features, including its original tiered gardens and a lovingly restored chapel, the 83-room luxury hotel now offers a refreshing take on Renaissance design, balanced out with sharp, contemporary design touches.

The meticulous restoration was led by Esteva i Esteva, a Spanish father-son architectural firm, and Florentine interior designers ArchFlorence. Throughout the property original hand-painted frescoes, coffered wood ceilings and antique furnishings brush up against iconic pieces from legendary Italian modernist designers.

This creative vision, realised across the property’s 49 guest rooms, 28 suites and six grand suites, finds its apotheosis in the Palazzo Moderno. The seven-bedroom mansion, which sits just beside the main property, features the hotel’s crowning glory: the Residenza la Quercia, a glorious suite with two living rooms, a butler’s kitchen, rooftop terrace and private hot tub.

Just as the hotel’s design combines its rich heritage with modern luxury, its culinary offerings also celebrate tradition with a contemporary twist. Pasta-making workshops, coffee tastings and mixology classes invite guests to slurp up Florence’s culinary history, one flavor at a time. Whether or not Collegio alla Quercia’s restaurants will cement the property as a true culinary landmark remains to be seen.

La Gamella, the signature restaurant, is a destination in itself. Guests and visitors can enjoy seasonal Italian classics either on a table scattered among the hotel’s tumbling Baroque gardens or in the relative intimacy of the chef’s table, a stylish open kitchen designed by Officine Gullo where cooking masterclasses are also hosted.

Lighter fare can be nibbled at the Conservatorio and poolside bites at Café Focolare, while the hotel’s late-night drinking spot, Bar Bertelli, serves up Turkish-inspired cocktails and cigars in what was once the headmaster’s office – a detention worth looking forward to.

For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the Aelia Spa, in partnership with Furtuna Skin, offers wellness treatments inspired by Tuscany’s natural ingredients. Olive oil, Tuscan lemon and herbaceous oils take centre stage, feeding into a menu of longevity treatments and high-touch practices that are each tailored to guest needs.

Beyond the spa, Collegio alla Querce provides cultural experiences rooted in local culture, from a private, candelit "opera sound bath" led by local singers to exclusive behind-the-scenes visits to the Palazzo Pucci fashion archives and private, after-hours tours of Florence’s art institutions.

But guests needn’t venture far for entertainment. An original on-site theatre will play host to musical performances throughout the year, while guests looking for dinner with a twist can have a bespoke, private dining experience whipped up by the Italian lifestyle brand, Cabana. With its chapel, gardens and theatre, there’s no shortage of cinematic backdrops to choose from.