Vivete i vostri piccoli incontri di lavoro in un’atmosfera unica e in un ambiente raffinato e informale.
There’s a word we hear often in the hospitality industry: sustainability. It appears in press releases, brochures, and advertisements. But what does it really mean, in the day-to-day reality of a hotel like ours?
For us at Palazzo Castri 1874, answering this question is a journey rather than a destination. A journey that in 2024 received formal recognition: the ESG certification issued by Dream&Charme, an internationally accredited body in accordance with EA, IAF, and ILAC standards, as part of the Hospitality Assurance – ESG Sustainability Certified program.
We’re not mentioning this to boast. We’re mentioning it because we believe guests have the right to know what kind of place they are choosing or have chosen to stay in.
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance: three areas that measure an organization’s impact not only economically, but also in terms of the environment, people, and governance. In the case of Palazzo Castri, we have obtained certification for five specific requirements:
Human rights, labor relations, and working conditions — managing all our employees in accordance with the National Collective Bargaining Agreement for Tourism and Hospitality, fostering a workplace where growth is possible and where everyone feels valued
Health and Safety — for guests, for the team, and for everyone who experiences our building
Customer, User, and Consumer Management — quality and transparency in our relationships with those who choose us
Management Practices — the work procedures of all departments and the internal organization of the facility
Engagement and development of the local community — our relationship with Florence, the neighborhood, local artisans, and the region in general
Five areas that, taken together, paint an accurate picture of who we are — or at least who we strive to be every day.Un palazzo dell’800 con uno sguardo al futuro
Maintaining a historic building means, among other things, making choices every day: how to renovate without disrupting its character, how to preserve it without turning it into a museum piece, and how to inhabit an ancient space with a contemporary sensibility.
For us, sustainability is intertwined with this historical responsibility. It is not an afterthought, a box to check off a list. It is part of how we envision our role in this corner of Florence, just a few steps away from the city’s treasures.
It means taking care of the people who work here. It means being an integral part of the fabric of the Florentine community—not as a structure closed off from the world, but as part of a neighborhood and a city.
When a guest books a room at Palazzo Castri, they aren’t just choosing a place to stay. They are choosing an experience, a way of welcoming guests, and a history. And increasingly—as we see every day—they are also choosing the values of those who welcome them.
In this sense, ESG certification is a tool for transparency. It serves as external confirmation that certain commitments are not merely statements of intent, but are reflected in concrete, verifiable, and measurable practices. The standard against which we were assessed—D&C:2023—is rigorous, and having achieved it is a source of satisfaction, but above all, a source of responsibility.
The certification is valid through July 2027, with annual audits to verify compliance and identify potential new opportunities for sustainability initiatives. This is not a destination; it is a goal toward which we continue to strive.
In an era where greenwashing has almost become a genre of its own, we know full well that words mean little. That’s why we chose to get certified rather than simply claim to be sustainable.
We’re not perfect. There is room for improvement—we know it—and we’re exploring it. But we’re a hotel that faces reality head-on, that prefers substance over appearance, that believes authentic hospitality stems from an honest way of being in the world.
If you’d like to learn more about us, how we work, and what it means to stay at Palazzo Castri, we invite you to discover our story on our website. And if you’re ready to experience this firsthand, our rooms and suites await you.
Because in the end, the truest form of sustainability is the one you can touch with your own hands. The one you feel when you walk in, when you sit down for breakfast, when you step out into Florence in the morning knowing you’ve made the right choice.
