Villa San Michele, a Belmond hotel, occupies a former 15th-century monastery in the hills of Fiesole overlooking Florence, with a facade attributed to Michelangelo and an arched loggia that now houses the panoramic restaurant. Forty-five individually designed rooms and suites, including a private three-bedroom villa, are set across the monastery and gardens, many with private terraces and Carrara marble bathrooms. The gardens are filled with lemon trees, roses and centuries-old wisteria, and a heated hillside pool looks over the Arno valley. A courtesy shuttle runs into Florence, and the concierge arranges everything from truffle hunts to art tours. The hotel reopens in 2026 following a restoration.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Breakfast in the old monks' loggia with the Duomo floating in the haze below, the scent of lemon and centuries-old wisteria drifting up from the garden, a hillside pool that looks clear across the Arno valley. A 15th-century monastery turned Belmond hideaway, forty-odd rooms and a quiet that makes Florence feel like a private discovery — the city a short shuttle away when you want it, the hills yours when you don't. Reopening in 2026 after a careful restoration.
INSIDER TIP:
ITALY
Villa San Michele
FIESOLE, FLORENCE
Best of the Best
SPELLBOUND PERKS:
Belmond Bellini Club benefits when booked through Spellbound:
Priority room upgrade at check-in, subject to availability
Daily breakfast for two guests
Property credit, up to $200 USD equivalent (varies by property)
VIP recognition and a welcome amenity
Priority early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
What perks do you get booking with SPELLBOUND?
By booking with Spellbound, you’ll automatically receive benefits at our preferred hotels & resorts ( and cruise partners) worldwide like VIP amenies & upgrades.
How to Book Your Stay
When you book your stay with us, you’ll automatically have preferred perks applied to your stay at no extra cost.
1.
Connect with us
Tell us what you need
2.
Collab on your trip
We'll get you all booked
3.
voila! Elevated Travel
A VIP. Just like magic
We don't do touristy, mediocre or cookie-cutter and you won't be able to browse every hotel or travel product out there. But if it's here, it's been handpicked for being awesome, because we're hell-bent on revealing the most enchanting travel experiences in the world to those who seek them.
No Spam. Just the good stuff. You can unsubscribe at any time.