Florence packs its museums and palazzi into a compact centre where almost no hotel has room for a pool. The pools are found along the Arno, on the Oltrarno hill or in Fiesole, and many are only open in summer. I've kept indoor pools, plus outdoor ones that are advertised as heated pools. I've selected 12 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is MyForte Relais de Charme & Spa (9/10).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
12 places shown
The pool. Seasonal outdoor pool, heated in September and October according to The Hotel Guru.
The Hotel Guru says the pool is heated in September and October; I haven't found any guest reviews on the temperature.
Guide's tip. Heating only applies at the end of the season: get it confirmed for your dates.
The pool. Heated indoor pool open year-round in the main building; panoramic jacuzzi at extra cost.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi on the panoramic terrace, at extra cost.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. There's a charge for the terrace jacuzzi: book it in advance.
The pool. Heated outdoor pool of about 25 × 5 m, with sun loungers, a bar and views over Florence.
The Oyster guide describes a heated outdoor pool with city views. On Kayak, the pool category scores 8/10, with no comments on the temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the pool's opening dates confirmed before you book, especially at the start or end of the season.
The pool. Two pools, including an indoor pool mentioned by Expedia.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which of the two pools is indoors and whether it's heated.
The pool. Heated seasonal outdoor pool with views over the hills.
One traveller describes the pool as heated and pleasant.
Guide's tip. The pool is seasonal: get its opening dates confirmed.
The pool. Small heated indoor pool in the spa, with hot tub, saunas and hammam.
The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.
The Oyster guide describes an elegant heated indoor pool, a little small for swimming lengths. Expedia reviews don't mention the temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is open from 9 am to 8 pm: plan your swim before dinner.
The pool. Indoor spa pool kept at 30 °C, open from 10 am to 11 pm and free for guests, plus a seasonal outdoor pool in the garden.
The Telegraph highlights how rare it is in Florence to find a riverside hotel with a pool. I haven't found any guest reviews on the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The garden pool is seasonal: outside summer, it's the 30 °C indoor pool that counts.
The pool. Heated outdoor pool in the villa's grounds, open year-round.
The Telegraph says the outdoor pool is heated and open year-round. On Kayak it scores 9/10 and is described as superb, with no mention of the temperature.
Guide's tip. One of the few outdoor pools in Florence where you can swim in winter: ask about opening hours when you arrive.
The pool. Heated indoor pool at the spa, open year-round, at extra cost.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. There's a charge for pool access: ask the price when booking.
The pool. Indoor pool and jacuzzi.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi.
I haven't found any reviews about the water temperature; a tip picked up by Kayak warns that there may be a charge for swimming.
Guide's tip. Ask whether pool access is charged as an extra.
The pool. Indoor pool and plunge pool at the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the spa's opening hours and whether access is included.
The pool. Rooftop terrace pool with a view, advertised as heated in winter; hot tub listed.
The hot tub. Hot tub listed among the facilities.
Travellers talk about the view from the pool, not the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the pool's winter opening dates confirmed before booking.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. No pool for swimming: a spa pool and jacuzzi, with sauna and hammam (no under-18s).
One guest reports that there's a charge for the sauna and jacuzzi.
Guide's tip. The jacuzzi costs extra: ask the price when booking.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is MyForte Relais de Charme & Spa (Hotel), with 9/10 (322 reviews · lastminute.com). Next come FH55 Hotel Villa Fiesole (8.9/10) and Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel (9.8/10).
Yes at MyForte Relais de Charme & Spa, Villa Cora and Palazzo Portinari Salviati Residenza d'Epoca: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. At FH55 Hotel Villa Fiesole, Il Salviatino and Hotel Kraft, heating is seasonal (heated in september and october). MH Florence Hotel & Spa, Forte16 View & Spa and Hotel Ville sull'Arno have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 30 °C at Hotel Ville sull'Arno. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: MyForte Relais de Charme & Spa, Forte16 View & Spa and DoubleTree by Hilton Florence Metropole also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Golden Tower Hotel & Spa.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Seasons Hotel Firenze | Outdoor pool open in the warmer months, not advertised as heated; only the hot tub is heated all year round | 4,8/5 | Heating not confirmed |
| Villa La Massa | Large pool on the lawn, heating not stated | 4,8/5 | Heating not confirmed |
Sources: Four Seasons, The Telegraph (via Yahoo), TripAdvisor.
