Palazzo Cini stands tall just a few steps from Corso Italia, among the most renowned architectural works of Pisa. It is an Art Nouveau building from the end of the 19th century, renovated in 2017 and inaugurated last spring with the most important city authorities present.

“It is a boutique hotel, where I have personally taken care of every detail from refined materials to sophisticated design, welcoming our clientele in a unique space,” says the young owner, architect Ivan Cini.

After international experience in architectural firms in Berlin and Milan, he has returned to the heart of his native Tuscany, creating Palazzo Cini at Via Manzoni number 12. It is a rare gem in one of the most renowned Italian art cities, family run together with his sister Daniela and Imen, who have the common immeasurable passion for all things beautiful and well made, and also an endless amount of energy. “This building was the home of a doctor. Our family bought it with the intention of turning it into a luxury style B&B. I initially thought I would get my bearings out in the Pisan countryside, in an area where my family is from – Lari.

But tourism there is really focused on the summer. In Pisa, on the other hand, you work all year round. I also believe that the city and its market supply really needed something like this,” the architectural star continues. There are five suites each between 35 and 40 square meters and identified with a unique style and furnishings.

“Each room has been designed to meet any and every need, starting with a suite featuring a very large whirlpool bathtub, and continuing upstairs by way of a sophisticated wooden staircase to two rooms – one of which has a Carrara marble slab as headboard, framed by LED lights creating an enchanting atmosphere. The bathroom has a retro feel with an eagle clawfoot tub as the star.

The other room on the first floor is characterized by its use of glass, creating a seamless transition from the bedroom to boho chic bathroom. The last two rooms on the upper floor attic recreate a mountain cottage feel, featuring exposed beams,” he continues. “Palazzo Cini is located in the city’s hub, just 13 minutes walking distance from Piazza dei Miracoli and 1.2 kilometers from the Cathedral. We offer air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen satellite TVs and private bathrooms. Additional amenities include a coffee machine, kettle, desk, and some units also feature a terrace.

Breakfast is available in the mornings at a nearby associated bar.” The lounge is a common area for reading or coffee and tea breaks, and is decorated like an art gallery where the owner’s style and origins emerge with delicious local culinary products. Outside in the back, a large garden with gazebo is the perfect place to indulge in unexpected peace and quiet, but can also be the location for exclusive cocktail parties, like the upcoming one in collaboration with Good Style Magazine to end a sold-out summer. Elements of the past are well suited with modern and sophisticated design; elegant harmonies make for a five star reception, including the friendliness of the staff, an authentic expression of Italian hospitality in Tuscany.