Minor Hotels Debuts Colbert Collection With Historic Florence Opening
Set inside what may be Italy’s oldest hotel, the 69-room Porta Rossa blends centuries-old Florentine history with Minor Hotels’ new art- and culinary-focused Colbert Collection brand.
Photos: Courtesy of Minor Hotels
Minor Hotels has officially launched its new Colbert Collection brand with the opening of Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze, a 69-room property in the heart of Florence that may claim the title of Italy’s oldest hotel. First referenced in 1386, the building has evolved over centuries from a lodging house for silk merchants into a Renaissance-era retreat, and now reemerges after a full renovation as the debut property for Minor’s new premium soft brand.
Located on Via Porta Rossa, steps from the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and the Duomo, the hotel leans heavily into its historical bones rather than attempting to modernize them away. Vaulted ceilings, frescoed walls, and the building’s original architectural details remain central to the design, while contemporary additions have been introduced with a lighter touch.
The guestrooms and suites were designed to evoke the private quarters of a Florentine palazzo, with textile canopies, leather accents, and embroidered wallcoverings throughout. Several suites tie directly into the building’s layered history, including the Amici Miei Frescoed Junior Suite, featured in the classic Italian film, and the Bartolini Frescoed Suite, which preserves extensive 18th-century frescoes. The standout accommodation is the Torre Monalda Signature Suite, set within a preserved 13th-century tower with panoramic views of Florence.
The opening is notable not only for the property itself but also for marking the first real look at what Minor intends for the Colbert Collection. The new brand is positioned around independent hotels with strong culinary and cultural identities, focusing on what the company describes as “the art of gathering,” “the art of place,” and “the art of taste.”
That philosophy is already visible in Florence. Public spaces were designed as social gathering points inspired by contemporary piazzas, while a new restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Paulo Airaudo is slated to debut in June. The culinary program will focus on refined interpretations of regional Italian cuisine, adding another layer of local identity to the hotel beyond its historic setting.
Porta Rossa is the first in what will quickly become a broader pipeline for the brand. Minor says Colbert Collection’s next openings will include The WestDill Mayfair in London later this year, followed by a Koh Samui property in early 2027.
