BELMOND VILLA SAN MICHELE: A STUNNING LUXURY HOTEL IN FIESOLE

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Nestled on the landscaped hills of Fiesole, lies a beautifully renovated Monastery by the name of Villa San Michele. An intricately restored and presented property with breathtaking views of Florence alongside exceptional service can only pronounce what I familiarly know as the Art of Belmond and trust me this property is a true representation of the former Orient Express brand. Belmond Villa San Michele truly is a stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole.

Belmond Villa San Michele: A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole. View of Florence in the distance framed by the green lush hills of Fiesole. A potto the left of the imag eis filled with small pink flowers.

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Belmond Villa San Michele: A stunning luxury hotel in Fieosle. A side view of the hotel covee in lush green plants and the loggia outdoor bar area terrace. A view f Florence can be seen in the far distance amongst the long trees. Hedges frame the bottom of the image.

A Stunning Luxury Hotel In Fiesole: A Short History

Belmond Villa San Michele’s history stems long and deep into the Renaissance period as this was the area where Leonardo da Vinci attempted to launch his first flying machine in the late 15^th Century. Adjacent to the area or Montececeri Park as it was then, a monastery, funded by the Davanzati family, was being built by a group of Franciscan monks. By 1600, this site was expanded with the addition of the Michelangelo façade and the loggia, which now forms the dining area.

Belmond Villa San Michele: A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole. A side view of the hotels AL Loggia restaurant with sunbeds and gardens in front of the building. The skies are blue against the beige and stone colout of the building.

Belmond Villa San Michele: A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole. A wooden grid of door keys which are gold with bright green tassles. They are all neatly stacked in teh hotels reception.

The family filled the monastery with exuberant artworks, including, Nicodemo Ferrucci’s fresco of the last Supper, which still takes pride of place in the former refectory.

Skip a few centuries, when Henry White Cannon bought the Monastery and made a number of improvements, including landscaping the gardens and converting the courtyard into a Victorian winter garden with a glass roof. The building was badly damaged in World War II and by 1950 had a new owner, Lucien Tessier who started to restore 20 rooms on the first floor of the main building and opened part of it as a hotel.

The Belmond group purchased the villa and surrounding land in 1982, embarking on a highly skilled restoration project in co-operation with the Florence Fine Arts Authority.

Belmond Villa San Michele: Hotel from a side view with the extensive lush green gardens surrounding the main concent building,

Belmond Villa San Michele: A view of Florence from the Convent building of teh hotel, with tall green trees and foliage surrounding the view.

Belmond Villa San Michele: Bejal in a bright blue dress with white spots walking through the garden trellises with white roses on either side.

Belmond Villa San Michele: A painting on the walls of the holtel which is black and white of a women. There is a side console table un dark wood underneath it.

A Stunning Luxury Hotel in Fiesole -Welcome Reception

There is no reception better received than a Belmond reception! After a steep winding drive to Fiesole from Florence airport, (the villa is located just under five miles north of Florence) we were greeted with huge smiles and a drink by the hotel manager, as we alighted and gathered our luggage. It’s only when you stand outside the entrance to this magnificent villa that you can fully take in the stunning views and architecture of the renaissance styling of the building.

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: entrance hallway , old part of the church with a big crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of teh ceiling.

A large poece of framed wall art with a man wearing a red cap and aviator goggles. The painting rests on a table with plants at either side and an archway recess.

The check-in process is extremely slick here and you’ll be commencing your tour of the communal areas before you’ve barely had a chance to put your passports away.

The lounge area at Belmond Villa San Michele wuth comfy sofas and armchairs covered in cream and blue linen fabric. Frescos on the upper walls with a dark green fireplace in the centre of the room

A salon area with cream and dark wood chairs clustered around a centre cushioned circular area, upon which is a tall vase full of fresh flowers. The room is filled with white stone and arches.

One of the most jaw-dropping of the communal areas has to be the pool, which takes glorious position at the top tier of the landscaped gardens. A great suntrap in the afternoons surrounded by sun loungers for some serious relaxing with a drink in hand or perfect for an early morning swim. You choose!

A stunning lucury hotel in Fiesole: cream cushioned sun loungers with umbrellas on the top tier of teh hotel gardens with views looking out to Florence.

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: The view sof teh hotel Loggia outdoor bar from the top tier garden. There are views of the private villa, bar area with rattan chairs , cushions and tables as well the view of Florence in the distance amongst the sea of green tress.

It’s worthy to note than rather than flashy shiny luxury, Belmond Villa San Michele veers more towards a restrained tasteful design spectrum with the main building, forming a warren of rooms, corridors and stairways featuring charming cloister archways. Vaulted ceilings and of course the loggia and not forgetting the warm terracotta floors.

Stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: A small lean to room on the ground floor with a dark wood table upon which are vases of gypsophila

The hotel also houses some interesting contrasts in art from the old ancient to the very contemporary by a local artist who wishes to remain anonymous!

A Stunning Luxury Hotel in Fiesole – Rooms & Residences

There are 45 rooms in total across different tiers, however the the main villa has 22 rooms of differing sizes providing sweeping views of the wooded hillside and Florence or the interior gardens. The main building has a ecclesiastic feel in terms of the vaulted ceilings of the rooms and corridors, bottle-glass window panes and antique furnishings including bed-steads and rich fabrics.

Stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: valuted corridors of the main convent house on the first floor. There are brown dark wood cupboards on the side with photos as well as doors which lead off to the bedrooms.

The door key to the suoerior room in the cloister against a Belmond Villa San Michele white card.

We opted for a room in the main building to capture the old world character and well staying in a cloister just feels that little bit more authentic in a building of this sort. We were upgraded to a spacious room featuring a stunning marble bathroom, with some amazing views. It’s hard to tear yourself away from the tranquillity of such a place.

Stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: superior bedroom with large bed with white bed linen to the left. A brown pelmet and floral bedspread. A medieval style chair and tables with a dark wood circular table containing a vase with wild orchids.

Dark pink orchid in a vase on table in front of a window in the bedroom overlooking Florence.

Dark pink orchid in a vase on table in front of a window in the bedroom overlooking teh tall trees and hills of Fiesole

Our room had all the amenities one could ever need but most of all one of the most comfiest beds I’ve ever laid in. The marble bathroom come dressing room was huge with every bathroom whim taken care of, not to mention the very welcomed BVLGARI toiletries and fragrance samples.

A stunning hotel in Fiesole: King bed with white linen and terracotta and blue bedspread. The walls are cream with a painting on the wall and there's a circular table with a pink an dwhite orchid

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: dark wood bathroom with Bvlgari toiletries, deep sunken bath and wash basins.

A white bowl with Bvlgari toiletries and soaps on a dark wood bench in the bathroom

We love a room with the personal touch and Villa San Michele didn’t fail, with a personally written note form the hotel manager to accompany some Prosecco and fruit.

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: stone and brick wall with garden room doors and hedged gardens for privacy

Side view of Belmond Villa San Michele main cloister house with suites on the lower level and gardens to the lower level also.pink flowers, trees and shrubs on th ebottom level.

There are 23 rooms and suites in the garden annexes nestled in between the meticulously pruned gardens. These in my opinion are less characterful but are more luxuriously decorated, are spacious in terms of the actual room and bathroom spaces with all having a private garden to enjoy the panoramic views.

Additionally there is the Limonaia villa and suites, which are the epitome of top-tier luxury. The leafy private garden has an enchanting waterfall and a plunge pool within its private grounds. The villa has the ability to be converted into one, two or three bedroom for that perfect luxury stay.

Private villa on the hotel grounds surrounded by pink and white flowers and foliage. The villa has a white/beige exterior with a terracota roof and dark brown window frames.

Restaurants & Bars

La Loggia Restaurant

A fantastic American breakfast including a vast buffet and cooked to order options are served in the La Loggia restaurant including eggs, your way, bacon, French toast or pancake stacks – you choose!

Breakfast In The Mornings

Kilner-style jars of different fruits and cereals stacked on tray shelves ready for breajfast at Belmond Villa San Michele, Fiesole.

Belmond Villa San Michele: Flatlay photo of breakfast items including French toast, berries, yoghurts, pancakes, cappuccinos and black coffee.

Should you wish, you can splash out on a champagne breakfast for two, including smoked salmon, caviar.

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: coffee, orange juice, fruit, boiled eggs and ham laid out for breakfast with a view of Florence in the background at La Loggi restaurant.

This is a beautiful place to start the day watching the sunrise before you. Grab an open window seat, if it’s not too windy!

As a staying guest at Belmond Villa San Michele, you have a priority over dinner reservations at the 15^th century setting restaurant.

La Loggia restaurant with circular tables in a row all with white table cloths and crockery on table. There are Roman blinds on the open air Loggia arches with views looking out to the garden and Florence.

La Loggia restaurant with circular tables in a row all with white table cloths and crockery on table.

A portrait view of one of the Loggia arched windows with Roman blinds, a coffee table and 2 white armchairs with views out to the gardesn and Florenc ein the background.

A silver ice filled container filled with water and bottles of prosecco.

Dinner In The Evenings

This is a truly romantic restaurant and more so in the evening when the light goes down with the twinkly view of Florence in the distance from the arched terrace. Lunch and dinner are served here however, Dr C and I booked our evening meal here. The food is local Tuscan fare used creating locally sourced ingredients. It’s very much fine dining with daily specialities with a superb wine list supported by the friendly and helpful sommelier.

Sunset view of the Fiesole Hills and Florence in the background from the Loggia restaurant at Belmond Villa San Michele

Our dinner started with a amuse bouche of chickpea cream with a chilli crisp and nasturtium flower.

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: glass ofred wine, bread and better

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: amuse bouche of chickpea cream with a chilli crisp and nasturtium served on a white circular plate

We skipped appetisers and moved straight on to mains, which consisted of roasted Sea bass fillet with green tomatoes and thyme scented baby vegetables.

Dr C opted for his usual choice consisting of lamb; baby lamb chops grilled, coated in porcini powder and with breadcrumbs, served with stewed vegetable caponata and caramelised mint drops.

A Stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: lamb; baby lamb chops grilled, coated in porcini powder and with breadcrumbs, served with stewed vegetable caponata and caramelised mint drops.served on a bright white plate.

A Stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: roasted Sea bass fillet with green tomatoes and thyme scented baby vegetables on a white oblong plate

Both dishes were beautifully prepared and plated to perfection.

The meal was completed with our favourite choices of sweet treats from the menu, a traditional Tiramisu for him and a chocolate soufflé with ‘fior di latte’ ice cream and orange scented honey. I can well and truly confirm the 20 minutes prep time is worth it!

A Stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: chocolate soufflé with ‘fior di latte’ ice cream and orange scented honey

chocolate soufflé with ‘fior di latte’ ice cream and orange scented honey and the traditional Tiramisu

A selection of petits fours to end the meal

And obviously you cannot leave with out sampling at least one of the many petits fours that accompany your coffee!

La Loggia Bar & Garden Bar

The perfect spot for pre and post dinner drinks amongst the Italian gardens with live piano or violin music in the background until late.

A stunning luxury hotel in Fiesole: The Loggia outdoorbar with wrought iron seats with cushions. Vases with flowers and garden parasols to keep the sun and rain off.

The Pool Restaurant & Bar

Lunch and light snacks can be enjoyed beside the stunning hilltop swimming pool. It’s pretty casual serving light salads, pizzas, ice-creams and obviously the usual selection of wines and alcoholic beverages.

Mozzarella, bread sticks and pizza flat lay photo of Lunch at the pool area. An Aperol Spritz with a checked at underneath.

The small kidney shaped poo to the right with shrubs on the left and the pool bar in the background.

The Cloister Bar

Probably one of my favourite parts of the villa is this small cloister bar, which fuses antique styled furnishings with a contemporary glass roof. A small but cosy bar, which is flooded with light during the day and dimly lit by night.

The archway into bar area lined with terracotta chairs, draped brown curtains and dark wood side boards.

The archway into bar area lined with terracotta chairs, draped brown curtains and dark wood side boards. the bar can be seen at the top with bar stools surrounding it

The bar area lined with terracotta stools, adn arch lights as well as mustard sofas, marble topped circular tables and a corrugated roof. There are a few plants to the left of the bar area.

Brown and teal cushiosn on the sofe behind marble topped bar tables with tall plants in the background. The bar room at Belmond Villa San Michele.

Marble topped shelf with spirits and liqueurs at the bat above which sits a black framed mirror.

Additional Hotel Services

Belmond Villa San Michele’s executive chef, Attilio di Fabrizio offers a very hands on cooking class suitable for all ages where he guides you through preparing, tasting and cooking regional dishes such as pasta, pastries and desserts. A must for those with an interest in the culinary styles of the region.

The outside door of the hotels cookery school, looking in to teh individual stations.

The workstation in the hotels cookery school with appliances laid out ready for a class.

There is a dedicated massage Gazebo located in a secluded corner of the Italian garden, however these can also be undertaken in-room as there is no formal Spa as such.

For you fitness fanatics, there is a gym, providing panoramic views, obviously! Alternatively you can have a tailor made fitness programme, which takes you jogging into the hills of Fiesole or the Chianti region.

Fiesole: Location of the Stunning Luxury Belmond Villa San Michele Hotel

The hotel is located a five minute walk from the small town of Fiesole. I would highly recommend taking the hotels short cut into the town and having a mooch around.

Bejal wearing a cerise pink jumpsuit walking down a gravel path with trees on either side. leading to the village of Fiesole.

Bejal wearing a cerise pink jumpsuit and white fedora standing against a bright yellow house facade with a bottle green slatted door to her right.

It’s a cute little town with a couple of museums and a main square, which holds a market every Sunday where there are an array of artisan shops and of course plenty of restaurants and bars to people watch from.

The market stalls in the town of Fiesole with the church tower in the background.

A red Fiat 500 parked at a slant against a stone wall in the village of Fiesole. There is a yellow walled house to the left which has a green door and shutters

The Best Tours From Belmond Villa San Michele

A selection of great day tours which start in Florence or alternatively arrange for pick-up in Fiesole. Belmond Villa San Michele private car service can take you into a meeting point in Florence. Otherwise

How To Get To Belmond Villa San Michele

Flight – A very few number of airlines fly into Amerigo Vespucci Airport, which is a 20 minute drive to the centre of Florence, or Pisa International Airport has lots more airlines flying directly to it. Many of the budget carriers fly here.. Then jump on a train from the airport or book a taxi into Florence. Alternatively ask Belmond Villa San Miche;e to arrange a car to come and collect you. This is at an extra cost.

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Trains & Buses – Florence can be accessed from many different points around Tuscany as well as greater Italy. There are a large amount of direct train routes such as from Naples, Milan, Pisa, Venice, Bologna to mention a few. Many of the trains will be direct in and out of Florence’s main train station, Santa Maria Novella. It’s possibel to book a taxi or have a private car pick up from Belmond Villa San Michele.

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Car – If you plan to drive around the medieval towns of Tuscany, hiring a car is a great option. Do check with Ad Astra before hand where the best parking point is. The centre of Florence is a ZTL which is a traffic limited parking area. Find out more about Parking in Florence. If you’re driving straight to Belmond Villa San Michele, follow Google Maps to Fiesole and the sign posts. Th ehotel has plenty of car parking available on its grounds.

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What We Loved About This Stunning Luxury Hotel in Fiesole

There is very little not to not about Belmond Villa San Michele. The food, historical building, contemporary art, rooms, views, are all excellent as is the suprb service. This is a hotel that excels in every way possible. It may look and sounds fancy but it is a retreat amongst the Fiesole hills. A relaxing and peaceful setting delivered with just the right amount of fuss. It feels like you’re in a big old house in the Tuscan countryside looking down on the renaissance city pf Florence just beneath you.

Belmond Villa San Michele: Bejal wearing a maxi dress looking out of one of the Loggia arches at a view of the Tuscan hills in the distance. There are two large vases on either side of her with large plants containing pink flowers.

Stunning Luxury hotel in Fiesole: Bejal wearing a dressing gown and holding a glass of prosecco looking out of bedroom window towards re sunsetting over the Fiesole hills with Florence in the distance shadowed by tall green trees.

Belmond Villa San Michele: Bejal wearing a bright blue and white spot dress sitting on a bench surrounded by old vines and green leaves around. There is a window with a grid across it to Bejal's right , with some potted plants on the windowsill underneath which is a darkk wood side table.

Belmond Villa San Michele: Round-Up

Belmond Villa San Michele, is the perfect luxurious hillside retreat. It’s a place to go and get away from the hustle and bustle of Florence but still close enough to be a part of it. It’s relaxing, the service is exceptional in line with Belmond brand and the views well, just the fact that I’ve mentioned them so many times, just speaks volumes!

The Details

Location: Belmond Villa San Michele, Via Doccia, 4, 50014 Fiesole Forence I Tel. +390555678200 I Map location
Times: Check-in time: 14:00. Check-out time: 12:00
Perfect For: Couples, special occasions, honeymoons, family holidays

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