Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel
Ethereal beauty.
It’s rare, especially in a city as magnetic as Florence, for a hotel to be a destination in itself. Yet marrying Renaissance splendour with contemporary luxury, this former medieval monastery captures the imagination. Nestled on the verdant Fiesole hills and blending 14th century artistic flair with the region’s ethereal beauty, the hotel is as inspiring as Florence greatest cathedrals and galleries.
The romance of Florence.
The facade, attributed to Michelangelo, is hugged by lush woodland and terraced gardens. From here, visitors enjoy an unparalleled panorama over Florence and the Chianti hills beyond.
Today, within its warren of rooms and corridors, vaulted ceilings and worn terracotta floors count among its charming original features.
Irresistible sanctuary.
The hotel’s 45 guestrooms and suites—including the private 3-bedroom Limonaia Villa—have a fittingly serene feel with antique furnishings and old master paintings. Step outside and relax in the Italian gardens, spot the 300-year old wisteria which, come spring, swathes the lawn-facing facade in purple, then take a dip in the pool perched on the hillside. Should you wish to get creative, Belmond Villa San Michele offers a range of activities.
A foodie haven.
Unleash your inner chef at the world-renowned cooking school with executive chef Alessandro Cozzolino. Alternatively, shake things up at the head barman’s cocktail masterclass. The elegantly rustic La Loggia restaurant inspires the eyes and palate. Watch as the skyline transforms from a tapestry of domes and turrets into a soft sea, punctuated by twinkling lights. Few restaurants and, indeed, few destinations in the world can match this for romantic bliss.