Hotel Savoy celebrates 25th anniversary with renovated Irene Restaurant and Bar Artemisia in Florence

9^th May 2025

Food & Travel Desk

Food & Travel Desk

9 May 2025

Hotel Savoy in Florence has marked its 25^th anniversary by unveiling two newly renovated spaces: the Irene Restaurant and Bar Artemisia, on the city’s Piazza della Repubblica. The relaunch, which took place in April, is part of the hotel’s ongoing efforts to celebrate its heritage and strengthen its position as a hub for design, art, and hospitality in the heart of Florence.

The Irene Restaurant, a longstanding fixture of the hotel, has reopened following extensive interior refurbishment works. The redesign pays tribute to Lady Forte, mother of Sir Rocco Forte, and is inspired by her approach to Italian cuisine and hospitality. The restaurant’s new look features walnut panelling, black-and-white marble floors with red accents, and furnishings by Italian brands such as Loro Piana and Cinelli. Classic Venetian chandeliers and soft lighting aim to evoke the atmosphere of a traditional Florentine home. The restaurant also offers an outdoor veranda overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica.

Chef Fulvio Pierangelini, Creative Director of Food for Rocco Forte Hotels, is responsible for the Irene Restaurant’s menu. Pierangelini is known for his focus on simplicity and the use of local, seasonal ingredients. The selection of dishes can be described as a reinterpretation of Tuscan cuisine, with each course intended as a tribute to the region’s culinary heritage.

Adjacent to the restaurant, Bar Artemisia has also opened with a new design concept. The bar is named after the Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, and its interiors draw inspiration from the dramatic style of Caravaggio. Decorative elements include wallpaper that transitions into fresco-like scenes and theatrical lighting designed by studio C14. Olga Polizzi, Head of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, selected the furniture and materials, including a bar counter crafted from the same wood as the entrance doorway.

The drinks menu at Bar Artemisia was developed by Salvatore Calabrese, known as “The Maestro”, and Federico Pavan, Head of Mixology at Rocco Forte Hotels. The menu features contemporary takes on the Florentine aperitivo, including cocktails aged in leather and infused with wine, as well as ingredients such as truffles. Tuscan-inspired small plates by Pierangelini accompany the drinks.

Hotel Savoy, established in 1893, is located in central Florence and is part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group. 

Food Desk

For further information and reservations, visit the website for Irere here and Artemisia here.