From Frescoes to Fantasy: Rocco Forte Hotels Host Tim Burton’s Vision in the Heart of Florence

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

September 10, 2025

The Hotel Savoy in Florence continues to act as a cultural hub, with luxury hospitality embracing art, history, and contemporary creativity.

This autumn, the Rocco Forte Hotels property offers two extraordinary experiences that elevate a stay in Florence into a journey through the very essence of artistic imagination.

Until the 25 January 2026, in partnership with Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, guests of Hotel Savoy will enjoy exclusive, after hours access to Beato Angelico, the landmark exhibition dedicated to one of the most visionary masters of the 15th century. Featuring more than 140 masterpieces on loan from the world’s greatest museums, the show weaves together the sacred beauty of San Marco with the grandeur of Palazzo Strozzi, an unforgettable immersion into the beating heart of Florentine Renaissance and humanism, mere steps from Piazza della Repubblica.

The Hotel Savoy  takes centre stage again as cultural partner of the XV Florence Biennale – International Exhibition of Contemporary Art and Design (18–26 October 2025), which this year honours the fantastical universe of Tim Burton. The Academy Award nominated filmmaker, who gave the world Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Alice in Wonderland, will receive the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Lifetime Achievement Award for his unedited works of art, celebrated with a citywide tribute to his visionary creativity.

For the occasion, Hotel Savoy will host the Biennale’s official opening celebration, transforming its glamorous terrace on Piazza della Repubblica, the beloved Irene Restaurant, and the newly unveiled Bar Artemisia into the epicentre of Florence’s cultural scene. Guests of the hotel’s suites will be granted VIP privileges: priority access to the Biennale, private curator-led tours, and a reserved seat at Tim Burton’s Award ceremony. A rare opportunity to step inside the mind of one of the most influential creative forces of our time, blending Gothic fantasy, pop surrealism, and Hollywood magic. Hotel Savoy confirms its role as Florence’s  curator  of heritage and avant-garde, offering a stage where Renaissance memory and contemporary vision dance together in a celebration of art, beauty, and life.

Hotel Savoy

Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte hotel, is centrally located in Piazza della Repubblica, in the heart of Florence, surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the Brunelleschi Dome, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio. Established in 1893, the hotel’s elegant design has long made it a gathering place for Florence’s elite. Its 79 luxurious rooms and suites combine timeless Italian style with modern touches, curated by Design Director Olga Polizzi. Collaborating with local artisans and cultural institutions, Hotel Savoy has become a respected cultural hub.  Guests can enjoy authentic Italian dishes at Irene restaurant, and signature cocktails by Maestro Salvatore Calabrese at the Bar Artemisia.

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

Andrea can be found either in the Travelling For Business office or around the globe enjoying a city break, visiting new locations or sampling some of the best restaurants all work related of course!