An Englishman in Florence Florence is a veritable mecca for the fashion conscious and design savvy traveller. Earlier this summer, Sharon Finnigan-Kilby met one of the city’s most dapper residents, Hotel Director Paul Feakes, to get his personal insight into hidden Florence
Walking into the lobby at Firenze Number Nine is a little like slipping between the pages of an Agatha Christie novel; the interior of the hotel oozes old school glamour. Here I discovered just how Englishman Paul Feakes, ended up in the pivotal role of Hotel Director in one of Florence’s most desirable boutique hotels. “The very first time I visited Florence was over 23 years ago and I felt an instant and immense sense of coming home. Standing in the middle of the Piazza della Signoria I felt as if the cosmoses were aligning and that I was meant to come back to Firenze and spend time here. “Over the next couple of decades I revisited Italy at least three or four times a year to top up on the culture, meet up with friends, shop, cook, entertain and explore the cities and countryside. I became quite familiar and incredibly comfortable with Florence and my visits became more frequent, often tying in with events and exhibitions such as Pitti Fashion. “In 2008 I was living in Surrey in the UK working in a fairly demanding position in training and development and decided I needed a complete change. The timing was right, and through a friend in Italy I found my first home in Florence.”
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During his time in Florence, Paul has worked with some impressive brands including the Savoy, and he played a key role in the concept development and creation of the glorious Gucci Garden boutique and restaurant. Over the last 11 years Paul has rubbed shoulders with some of Florence’s most demanding and discerning teams in the hospitality trade, but his role at Firenze Number Nine has been the most challenging yet. The hotel boasts a huge and impressively equipped gym and an underground spa alongside its beautifully furnished 70 rooms. “I try and make the time to soak up the atmosphere of the city whenever possible, as I’m asked by guests numerous times a day for recommendations. However, I don’t need an excuse to explore the back streets of Florence – it’s a total pleasure. I really adore the tabernacles on the corners of historic buildings – I’m told there are over a thousand spread across the city. I could spend hours just looking at these enduring artworks. I’ve noticed a little touch of kitsch in some of them which I rather like. I’m also very fond of the impressive statue of Perseus by Cellini which sits in the Loggia dei Lanzi on the corner of Piazza della Signoria – it is incredible. “Of course Florence is full of museums, but I recommend the Museo degli Innocenti. I like to look up and
