Description: Villa San Michele is a former 15th-century Franciscan monastery, nestled on a hilltop surrounded by trees and terraced gardens, overlooking the city of Florence below. Dating from the 15th century its facade is attributed to Michelangelo. A renaissance Villa surrounded by its own gardens and woodland on the Fiesole hills. Stroll in the Italian gardens, filled with lemon trees and roses, and savour superb Tuscan cuisine on the alfresco loggia as if in a private home. The Loggia Restaurant has exceptional views over Florence as well as The Limonaia, created from 17th century former orangerie of the monastery. Luxurious guest rooms and facilities include a swimming pool situated on the third terrace with a view across the Arno Valley and Florence.
Rooms: The Villa San Michele has 46 rooms, including 25 suites and junior suites, located in the old monastery building and nestled amid the beautiful gardens, enjoying spectacular views, each with its own unique style and antique furnishings.
Double Rooms:
Each of the classic rooms features king, queen or twin beds. With views either looking onto the cloister, or at the cypress trees intertwined with roses and wisteria.
Double Classic Room
Tastefully appointed with walnut or cherry custom-made furniture, each of these rooms features king, queen or twin beds. A number of the Double Classic Rooms look onto the intimate cloister which accommodates the bar, discreetly visible through the glass roof, or at the soaring cypress trees intertwined with creeping roses and wisteria. Handmade parchment lampshades, carpets in sober colours, fine cotton curtains and upholstery. With restored original touches, each room weaves romance and history into wonderful ambient surroundings within this grand building.
Superior Room
Located in the original part of the building the Double Superior Rooms are very spacious. Recently renovated to a high standard, these rooms overlook either the courtyard or the countryside. Each room has a large marble bathroom and separate shower
Double Deluxe Room
Whether they afford a breathtaking view of Florence or an idyllic one of the Italian Garden and wooded park, all these rooms are exquisitely appointed. Bathrooms feature Carrara marble double vanities, separate toilets, walk-in showers, heated towel racks and magnifying mirror for shaving and make-up. All rooms have touch control central air conditioning and heating, video and fax/modem facilities with multinational plugs.
The Chapel
This beautiful building is a fully restored chapel, built on the border of the wooded park which surrounds the hotel and once used only for retreat by the monks. After many years of total neglect, it has been brought back to its original aspects and now contains the hotel's most private and secluded room, a true honeymooners' hideaway. From the terrace in the front, a space twice as big as the room itself measuring 50 square metres (525 square feet), the view is truly breathtaking and it expands forever; and from the bed itself the view is no less. The terrace extends with a paved path toward another still more intimate belvedere called 'The Observatory', which leaves one speechless at the beauty of the view.
Junior Suites:
Enjoying stunning views of Florence, the old monastery building and the immaculate Italian gardens, the Junior Suites are spacious and elegantly appointed.
Superior Junior Suite
Spacious and elegant, with secluded gardens. Tall and elegantly trimmed laurel hedges secure the total privacy of each garden and the Junior Suite behind it. The lawn garden and paved terrace allow 40m² (420 ft²) of peaceful retreat, comfortably equipped with lavishly cushioned wrought-iron armchairs and elbow rest chairs flanking the slate-covered table. Bathrooms are truly spacious and rich in royal yellow Carrara marble, which panels most of the walls and blends harmoniously with the cotto floor and the polished walnut wood of the open, his and hers armoire, set opposite the double vanities.
Deluxe Junior Suite
Enjoying stunning views of Florence, the old monastery building and the immaculate Italian Gardens of the Villa, these deluxe Junior Suites are spacious and elegantly appointed. Access is through a wall-to-wall glass door.
Executive Junior Suite (By The Pool)
The intimate terrace has astonishing views, an idyllic way to start the day over a delightful Italian breakfast. Bathrooms are incredibly spacious with a walk-in shower and separate toilet, and feature a bathtub, his and hers double marble vanities conveniently set opposite the open to view his and hers armoire, to secure space and comfort for both.
Executive Junior Suite (The Conservatory)
Set apart from the main building it has a private terrace with wonderful views over Florence, the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon tea. This charming Junior Suite is the perfect hideaway for honeymoon couples. All the furniture is custom made in walnut or cherry wood, and frames, lamps, curtains and most decorative items have been produced by skilled artisans.
Donatello Suite
Once upon a time the Prior's quarters, it occupies the whole corner of the monastery, with views over Florence and the Arno Valley and the Italian Garden and the wooded park. A spacious, sunlit, separate sitting room featuring a corner fireplace leads into a large, well-appointed bedroom with king size bed, breakfast table and elbow rest chairs. A 16th-century buffet with drawers is available for clients' clothes.
Michaelangelo Suite
Drenched in daylight from sunrise to sunset, the Michelangelo Suite stretches the whole length of the facade of the Villa San Michele. Once the monastery library, it became Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's headquarters in Florence. Huge, canopied, king-size bed and exquisite decorations. By far the Villa's largest and most romantic accommodation, the undivided sleeping and sitting areas stretch behind the whole length of the façade with two windows on the side of one wall and an even larger one in the front dominating Florence, the Arno Valley and the Chianti Hills. A large fireplace dominates one of the walls, with stone mantelpiece. The suite itself is furnished with works of art, from a magnificent fruit wood armadio to a carved walnut centre table and carpets of the most precious manufacture from Persia. The bathroom contains a pool-like bathtub, a delight to see and enjoy, and features separate shower and linen and towels.
Garden Suites
Large suites located in the Garden of the Villa with private terrace and a fantastic view over Florence. Beautifully appointed and recently renovated these suites offer separate living rooms and have all comforts. One or two extra beds may be added in the lounge for children sharing room with the parents.
Presidential Suite
This suite was created from the 17th century 'Limonaia' (the former orangerie of the Monastery), in a prime location with breathtaking view over Florence and the surrounding hills. The apartment is composed of a bedroom and a large sitting room both facing Florence and beautifully decorated in Tuscan renaissance style. It has all comforts and a in-room kitchnette. One or two extra beds may be added in the lounge for children sharing room with the parents. This suite has a private garden with a natural water spring and a fully furnished terrace where guests can relax after visiting Florence. Large marble bathroom with separate shower cubicle and double vanity basins. Toiletries, soft towels and dressing gowns.
Dining and Bars:
The Loggia Restaurant
The XVI century elegant Loggia Restaurant has exceptional views over Florence.
In late spring and summer The Loggia (Terrace) is the perfect place for a relaxing lunch or dinner in the warm sunshine while in early spring and autumn the magnificent inside rooms Chiostro (Cloister) and Cenacolo provide an historic location to enjoy.
The Pool Restaurant
Enjoy lunch or a light snack in the Pool Restaurant beside the hilltop pool. Enjoy the wonderful views over Florence and relax in the cool calm surroundings. With shaded areas and sun loungers, drinks are served by the pool and on the terrace.
In Room Dining
Enjoy breakfast, snacks and the views of Florence from your room, private terrace, or in your own private garden.
Bars: The Villa's three bars serve classic cocktails, vintage liquers and light snacks.
The Loggia Bar
A popular rendezvous for evening cocktails where you can relax before or after dinner and enjoy the stunning views of Florence and the Arno Valley. From 7pm until midnight during the warmer months a pianist plays. Sip your favourite cocktail in the ancient loggia or outside in the Italian gardens.
The Small Cloister Bar
Located in the old monastery, in what was once a Cloister, and is now covered with a glass roof and furnished in antique style with comfortable armchairs and relaxed informality. The ideal resting place after a day exploring the magnificence of Florence.
The Pool Bar
Located beside the panoramic pool, with breathtaking views from the upper terrace of the Villa's gardens is the most idyllic spot for relaxing drinks, lunch al fresco, light snacks and cocktails.
Facilities and Services:
Italian Gardens
The extraordinary Italian gardens at Villa San Michele are steeped in enchanting history. A boubless park, a large stand of trees and the scent of the flowers and lemons all around. The perfect geometry of an italian garden. Spend some time relaxing on lounging chairs sipping a cocktail and admiring the flowers, or take a tour with our gardeners to explore the secrets of this little corner of paradise.
Cookery School
Panoramic Swimming Pool - on the 3rd terrace, the panoramic heated swimming pool enjoys an incredible view across the Arno Valley and Florence.
Panoramic Gym
Small gymnasium is available in the hotel containing weights from one to ten kilograms, two bicycles, a treadmill and a step machine. Changing facilities include showers, toilets, hairdryers, towels, basins. All equipment in the gym faces the window which allows a breathtaking view of Florence over the hotel roofs.
Golf
There are 2 courses near the hotel and a 3rd in Montecatini.
Tennis
Florence boasts a number of high quality tennis courts. Contact concierge.