The history of the FH55 Hotels Group has its origins in the heart of Florence and the resolute spirit of its founder, Dino Innocenti, born on 20 January 1902 into a modest family.
At just fifteen years old, Dino began working his father’s artisan workshop where he learned the tricks of the trade and developed the technical and practical skills that would stay with him all his life.
After completing his military service, Innocenti returned to his beloved Florence with an ambitious project: to contribute to the development of the city’s hotel industry which had opened up to the new demands for cultural and international tourism in those years.
His first business experience was managing the Albergo Albion-Mediterraneo, located along the lovely Lungarno Acciaioli, in the heart of Florence’s historic city center.
Unfortunately, the bombings in WWII seriously damaged the hotel.
Despite the significant hurdle, Dino Innocenti did not give up. Fueled by an ambitious vision and unshakable faith in the city’s future, he decided to start over by purchasing the Albergo Patria in Via Calzaiuoli, one of the most central and prestigious streets in Florence.
His dream was to renovate and enhance this building to restore its splendor and prestige.
The ability to overcome adversity and restart with renewed energy was the one trait that had always set Dino Innocenti apart.
As a result, in the early 1950s, the entrepreneur decided to invest in an even more ambitious undertaking: the construction of a large modern hotel, that could combine a contemporary approach while offering high standards to an increasingly international clientele.
Following the acquisition of shares in the Società Immobiliare Montecarlo, Innocenti started the construction of the Grande Albergo Mediterraneo.
The work included major urban planning interventions: the excavation of the hill and the creation of gardens overlooking the Arno, with wide avenues connecting Bellariva to Rovezzano, contributing to the redevelopment of an entire suburban area. In a gesture of his dedication to the public interest, he also offered a substantial sum to the City of Florence to support the work, demonstrating how his idea of enterprise was closely linked to the development of the city.
An important and fundamental year in the history of Florentine hospitality. The Group’s first hotel, the FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo was officially opened.
From that moment on, Dino Innocenti’s strategic vision resulted in steady, continuous growth.
The FH55 Group expanded beyond Tuscany with the opening of the FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino in Rome, a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, further proof of the brand’s commitment to a nationwide presence.
The unfinished project of the Albergo Patria in Via Calzaiuoli became reality with the opening of the FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli, a symbol of a family legacy continually renewed through time.
The beauty of Fiesole’s hills became part of the FH55 identity with the inauguration of the FH55 Hotel Villa Fiesole, a historic residence surrounded by greenery, with a panoramic terrace overlooking the entire city.
The Serrae Villa Fiesole restaurant opened in the FH55 Hotel Villa Fiesole, headed by chef Antonello Sardo who earned the much sought-after Michelin Star 2025 in less than a year, transforming it into an internationally recognized first-class dining experience.
The FH55 Group continued to upgrade and anticipate the needs of the modern-day traveler.
Two new facilities were built for specific targets: the FH55 Med Executive Hotel, for business travel, and the FH55 Med Guesthouse, the ideal solution for short, informal, yet top-quality stays.
The new suites of the FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino have been completed, renovated to comply with strict environmentally friendly and energy efficiency criteria.
After more than seventy years of history, the ownership of the FH55 Hotels Group remains firmly in the hands of Dino Innocenti’s descendants. In April 2023, Claudio Catani, with a wealth of experience and expertise in the luxury hotel industry, headed the Group as Vice President of Operations in charge of the growth and strategic repositioning of the brand.
