Belmond Villa San Michele
Overview
Belmond Villa San Michele is an incredible place. Once a Renaissance monastery, this breath-taking hotel offers a unique blend of Renaissance history and luxurious contemporary living. Located high up in the Fiesole hills, we’ll never get bored of the astonishing Florence and Arno Valley vistas that each terrace overlooks.
The façade (front of the building) is attributed to Michelangelo, surrounded by verdant woodland and terraced gardens that look down over the city. Every terrace and Italian garden adorned with lemon trees, fragrant herbs and blooming rose bushes adds to the undeniably romantic vibe this hotel embodies. There is also a beautiful heated pool for you to relax and enjoy, and a 400-year old wisteria that is well worth a visit – it’s the only one in Florence to bloom twice a year.
The rooms and suites are just as grand as the architecture, with gorgeous furnishings harking back to the 17th century. The Double Rooms are wonderful, but we thoroughly recommend opting for a suite if you can – they all offer a splendid private terrace or garden with unsurpassable views.
The hotel is steeped in Renaissance history, so it’ll come as no surprise that art is a big focus here. Each year they work with local artists and create works of art that feature around the hotel and its grounds. You can also enjoy laidback afternoons with cooking classes, cocktail classes and olive oil and wine tasting.
The cuisine here is unsurprisingly divine, serving sensational Tuscan cuisine alongside idyllic open-air terraces and panoramic vistas. Venture to La Loggia for a contemporary twist of local favourites, or opt for a delicious afternoon tea at the colourful Cloister Bar.
This small boutique hotel truly packs a punch when it comes to glamour, luxurious and first-class service.