Auberge debuts in Italy within former Florentine boarding school
Auberge Resorts Collection has announced the opening of Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Named for the historic oaks that shade its original tiered gardens, the storied 16th-century property rests on a hillside in Florence. Tucked down a cypress-lined drive, the hotel has been designed to blend the charm of a timeless urban retreat with the tranquility of a Tuscan country estate.
Realising the vision of Analjit Singh, owner and founder of Leeu Collection, the former boarding school’s transformation into a contemporary 83-room hotel has been overseen by Esteva i Esteva, a Spanish, father-son architectural firm. Florentine interior designers, ArchFlorence, have brought to life the hotel’s guestrooms and suites, as well as four dining and drinking venues.
The property’s expansive lawns cascade through four levels of historic terraced gardens, restored to their Medici-esque glory by landscape designer Franchesca Watson.
Indoors, the harmonious symmetry of the gardens is reflected in the design of the 49 guestrooms, 28 suites and 6 Grand Suites. Combining art with modern Italian design, accommodations fuse Auberge’s signature locally-inspired style with the buildings’ original features – from restored hand-painted frescoes to coffered wood ceilings. Rich colours, locally sourced materials and contemporary furnishings complement antiques and original artworks.
A range of F&B venues find home on the hotel’s grounds. Spilling from the elegant serra onto a veranda and into the Baroque garden below, destination restaurant La Gamella presents seasonal Italian classics. The Cicchetti open kitchen, designed and handmade in Florence by Offinice Gullo, serves as the chef’s table in the heart of the restaurant. The atrium-inspired Conservatorio is a sun-filled space designed to suit any time of day, while poolside restaurant and bar, Café Focolare, has also been envisioned for all-day relaxation. Bar Bertelli meanwhile, once the school headmaster’s office, offers cigars and libations in a setting complete with portraits of former top students.
The hotel also features a spa, named Aelia, designed to embody Tuscan wellbeing. Aelia’s four treatment suites – two with private steam showers and a private pool discreetly set within the greenery – have been created to optimise personal wellbeing.
“We are delighted to expand our brand presence in Europe with the debut of Collegio alla Querce Auberge, our first property in Italy,” says Christian Clerc, President and CEO of Auberge Resorts Collection. “Florence is one of Europe’s most historic and treasured cities, and Collegio alla Querce Auberge, with its rich history and character, is the perfect addition to our one-of-a-kind portfolio. Collegio alla Querce Auberge has long been a Florence icon and an integral part of the fabric of this globally beloved city. We look forward to welcoming the local community and guests to this extraordinary property, where they can experience the best of Tuscan culture, gastronomy, and Auberge’s singular hospitality.”
Analjit Singh, owner of Collegio alla Querce Auberge and founder of Leeu Collection, adds: “Through Collegio alla Querce Auberge we aim to honour the eternal legacy of Florence and Tuscany with an establishment immersed in the ethos and excellence of Leeu Collection’s luxury hospitality establishments, cherishing the glorious past and complementing the magnificent experiences visitors to the city are privy to. Together with our partners at Auberge Resorts, Leeu Collection looks forward to contributing to the rich cultural, hospitality, and culinary offerings that have made Florence one of the world’s most desirable destinations. It is an honour to be part of a city whose spirit and history of the Renaissance continue to inspire.”
