Property will offer upgrades at time of check-in, subject to availability for Rooms
100 USD food & beverage credit
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary full breakfast for two daily
Surrounded by lush, terraced gardens, this majestic and peaceful retreat in the Fiesole hills offers sweeping views of Florence at every turn. Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, is a Renaissance masterpiece where cascading terraced gardens above Florence set the scene for flourishing dialogues over food, wine and culture. Carved into the Fiesole hilltop, the hotel is a work of art inside and out. From its façade attributed to the School of Michelangelo, to the woodlands where Leonardo da Vinci first attempted to fly, this 15th-century monastery intrigues with its layers of rich heritage. Guests are mesmerised by the panoramas, whether reclining in their garden suite or relaxing by the pool. The restaurants take centre stage, from creative fine dining to wood-fired pizza and Italian specialities. Sunset garden events range from complimentary concerts to mixology and calligraphy workshops. After a day spent exploring the cultural wonders of the city, it is wonderful to return to a haven where serenity reigns.
In the mid-15th century, the noble Davanzati family donated a swathe of land on the Fiesole hills to a Franciscan order. Five centuries later, the monastery they built was to become Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel in Florence.
Capturing all the romance of the Renaissance, the hotel boasts interiors steeped in history, lush Italian gardens and unparalleled views of the city and the Chianti hills beyond. Architectural highlights include a façade attributed to Michelangelo and a romantic, arched Loggia, now the hotel’s panoramic restaurant. From here, sunset views embrace the silhouetted domes and turrets of the Florentine skyline. In the nearby Cloister Bar, gentle piano music provides a soundtrack for stargazing through the glass roof.
Forty-five individually designed rooms and suites are arrayed across the monastery building and gardens, including a private three-bedroom villa. Inviting sanctuaries with custom-made furniture and Carrara marble bathrooms, many benefit from private gardens or terraces.
The immaculate gardens burst with lemon trees, orange blossom and fragrant roses. Each spring, a centuries-old wisteria swathes the lawn-facing façade in purple blooms. The heated pool, perched on the hillside, offers breathtaking views of the Arno Valley. Private picnics, alfresco massages and yoga classes can all be enjoyed in the gardens. A changing exhibition of contemporary artworks and site-specific installations keeps the hotel’s creative spirit alive.
Guests may wish to enrol at the world-renowned Cookery School or take a cocktail masterclass with the head barman. A courtesy shuttle runs into the heart of Florence. The concierge can arrange customised activities from street art tours to truffle hunts.