Florence’s Most Luxurious Hilltop Retreat Returns This Month—Plan Your Next Escape Around It
Perched high above Florence, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, reopens this April with reimagined suites, a first-ever Guerlain spa, and a fresh vision of Renaissance luxury designed for modern escape.
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A Renaissance Icon, Reawakened
Long regarded as one of Italy’s most atmospheric retreats, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel returns after an 18-month restoration that carefully preserves its identity while refining every layer of the guest experience.
Once a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, the property remains defined by its historic architecture—arched loggias, cloisters, frescoes, and terraced gardens cascading toward Florence. Under the stewardship of Belmond, the Villa has been thoughtfully renewed rather than reinvented, maintaining its sense of place while introducing a quieter, more contemporary sense of luxury.
Suites Shaped by Heritage and Craft
According to Belmond, the Villa’s 39 rooms and suites have been completely reimagined, each one designed as a private, lived-in space rather than a conventional hotel room. Materials are tactile and rooted in Tuscany—terracotta, marble, handwoven textiles—paired with curated antiques and art pieces that reference the building’s layered history.
Three new signature suites set the tone:
- Limonaia — A secluded garden residence surrounded by citrus trees, complete with a private plunge pool and collector-style interiors
- Grand Tour Suite — A sweeping historic apartment once associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, opening onto wide views over Florence
- Botanica — A nature-inspired retreat celebrating the Villa’s gardens through botanical art, frescoed details, and handcrafted design objects
Across all accommodations, the focus is on intimacy, texture, and a strong sense of place.
A New Era of Wellness in the Hills
For the first time, the property introduces the Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain, marking a new chapter in its wellness offering.
Hidden within the gardens, the spa is conceived as a tranquil sanctuary inspired by both Renaissance ideals of balance and Guerlain’s two-century beauty heritage. Treatments are designed to restore stillness and clarity, set within interiors of stone, marble, and soft light that echo the landscape beyond.
Gardens Designed for Slowing Down
Spanning nearly 10,000 square meters, the Villa’s gardens have been carefully reinterpreted by Luca Ghezzi Garden Design to reflect traditional Fiesole hillside landscapes while enhancing panoramic views over Florence.
Citrus trees—once prized by the Medici—line the terraces, alongside iris, rambling roses, herbs, and seasonal plantings. Hidden seating areas and quiet viewpoints invite guests to pause, while surrounding woodland tied to Leonardo da Vinci adds a deeper layer of historical imagination to the landscape.
A New Rhythm of Experience
Beyond its physical transformation, the Villa introduces a more immersive way of staying.
A partnership with La DoubleJ brings curated wellness and energy-focused experiences to the property, including yoga, breathwork, and sound healing sessions led by founder JJ Martin. These are complemented by cultural programming—music, talks, workshops, and creative gatherings set throughout the grounds.
A heated panoramic pool and extended opening season—from spring through winter—further reinforce the idea of unhurried, year-round escape.
Dining with Florence at Its Center
At the heart of the experience is a renewed culinary direction led by Executive Chef Alessandro Cozzolino. The restaurant reinterprets Tuscan cuisine through a contemporary lens, focusing on seasonal ingredients, regional tradition, and refined technique.
Menus are designed to reflect the landscape itself—rooted, expressive, and closely tied to place—paired with a carefully curated selection of Italian and international wines.
Every table, like the rest of the Villa, is oriented toward one defining feature: uninterrupted views over Florence.
The Return of a Living Landmark
The restoration of Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel reflects Belmond’s ongoing commitment to preserving historic properties while evolving them for contemporary travel.
As it reopens above Florence, the Villa doesn’t simply resume its place in the landscape—it redefines it. A retreat shaped by history, art, and nature, it offers a rare kind of luxury: one that feels both timeless and deeply alive.
Opening date: April 28, 2026
Season: Now extended from spring through winter
✈️ Explore Florence While You’re There
Planning a stay at Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel? Make the most of your trip with these curated guides to help you experience the city—and beyond—like a true insider:
- 👉 The Perfect 2-Day Florence Itinerary
Discover the ideal way to experience Florence’s art, history, and hidden corners in just 48 hours. - 👉 1-Day Florence Itinerary
A fast-paced guide to the city’s must-see masterpieces, viewpoints, and classic stops. - 👉 Must-Try Food in Florence
From iconic Tuscan dishes to local trattorias, explore what (and where) to eat in Florence. - 👉 Best Day Trips from Florence
Escape the city for vineyards, hill towns, and unforgettable Tuscan landscapes. - 👉 Florence to Siena Day Trip
A step-by-step guide to visiting one of Tuscany’s most beautiful medieval cities in a day. - 👉 Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip
How to plan a coastal escape to Italy’s colorful cliffside villages from Florence. - 👉 Florence to Pisa Day Trip
A simple guide to visiting the iconic Leaning Tower and exploring Pisa’s historic center in a day.
