Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Italy / Firenze / THE PLACE Firenze
THE PLACE Firenze
Firenze, Italy · Independent · Core Luxury
Opened in 2003 by brothers Jonathan and Ori Kafri (the initials JK stand for Jonathan Kafri) inside a crumbling townhouse on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, this 20-room hotel became one of Florence's most talked-about boutique addresses under architect Michele Bonan's glass-domed courtyard design. Owners the Babini family rebranded it THE PLACE Firenze in 2021 and completed a top-to-toe renovation by Luigi Fragola Architects that debuted in March 2024, though longtime guests still know it by its original name.
- 20 rooms
- Opened 2003
- Neighborhood: Quartiere 1
- Architect: Michele Bonan
- Interiors: Michele Bonan
About THE PLACE Firenze
- Architect Michele Bonan organized the roughly 20-room hotel around a dramatic glass-domed central courtyard, the signature feature of the townhouse conversion.
- Architect and designer Michele Bonan transformed the roughly 20-room property into an intimate, residential boutique hotel organized around a dramatic glass-domed courtyard.
- The Babini family, who had owned the property since shortly after its opening, took full control in 2013 under holding company Bacamul SpA, separate from the other JK Place hotels (Rome, Paris, Capri).
History
JK Place Firenze opened in 2003 on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, created by brothers Jonathan and Ori Kafri (the initials JK stand for Jonathan Kafri) from what had been a crumbling townhouse. Architect and designer Michele Bonan transformed the roughly 20-room property into an intimate, residential boutique hotel organized around a dramatic glass-domed courtyard. The Babini family, who had owned the property since shortly after its opening, took full control in 2013 under holding company Bacamul SpA, separate from the other JK Place hotels (Rome, Paris, Capri).
In 2021 the Babini family rebranded the hotel THE PLACE Firenze under general manager Claudio Meli, moving it away from the JK Place name, and began a multi-year renovation led by Luigi Fragola Architects. The fully reimagined 20-room property, still widely known by its original JK Place identity, debuted in March 2024; Meli was named Virtuoso's 2025 Hotelier of the Year.
Restaurants and bars
- The Kitchen & The Bar — Restaurant · Sincere and genuine cuisine using best ingredients from Tusc · Chef Asso Migliore
Experiences
- A tavola con l'oste — Evening of good food and conviviality with L'Oca Bonda, 20 October, €60 per person, limited seats.
- THE Taste of Florence — Gourmet stay among the wonders of the Renaissance.
- Thanksgiving dinner — Celebration with familiar flavours, good company and the signature Florentine touch.
- Christmas Eve dinner — Festive, cozy Christmas Eve experience.
- Christmas Day lunch — Festive lunch of favorites created for Christmas Day.
- New Year's Eve — New Year celebration with a Tuscan toast.
Amenities
- Tailor-made events in chosen spaces
- Gift vouchers valid up to 12 months from purchase
- Tailor-made events
- Gift vouchers
- Table booking
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2025)
Open THE PLACE Firenze in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More hotels in Firenze
- La Réserve Firenze — La Réserve · High Luxury