Florence's Most Iconic Retreat, Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel, Makes Its Long-Awaited Comeback

Sofia Peluso, General Manager: “For us, hospitality is deeply intertwined with cultural immersion. Guests can embark on a journey that weaves together food, art, history, architecture and nature – a true fusion of body, mind, and soul and a modern-day echo of the Renaissance principles that have so shaped our history...

An emblem of Renaissance architecture and a peaceful sanctuary with the most iconic view of Florence unfurling beneath, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel reopens on 28 April 2026 following a meticulous 18-month renovation. Inspired by its storied heritage and idyllic hillside setting framing a picturesque vista, the hotel's reimagination sees an emphasis on Tuscan craftsmanship, refined cultural curation, and a harmonious connection to nature. The former 15th-century monastery with its beloved cascading gardens reveals 39 completely redesigned suites and rooms exuding indulgence and grandeur.  

The property will proudly unveil its first-ever spa, Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain, alongside a nature-immersive programme created to cultivate a profound sense of renewal. Marking this new chapter of well-being, the hotel will extend its season, open from spring through winter, inviting guests to embrace slow luxury year-round - disconnecting from the everyday and rediscovering the joy of savouring time.  

“For us, hospitality is deeply intertwined with cultural immersion. Guests can embark on a journey that weaves together food, art, history, architecture and nature – a true fusion of body, mind, and soul and a modern-day echo of the Renaissance principles that have so shaped our history” - Sofia Peluso, General Manager 

FROM MONASTERY TO MASTERPIECE 

Reflecting its commitment to preserving heritage for the future through thoughtful renovations, Belmond has restored the existing structure whilst reimagining the hotel's interiors, all within an inspiring location steeped in history and culture. Originally a 600-year-old Franciscan monastery and a true embodiment of the Italian Renaissance, it remains celebrated for its Michelangelo-inspired façade, arched terrace overlooking Florence, and its original chapel, frescoes, loggias, cloister, and meticulously maintained terraced gardens.  A serene destination long favoured by aristocratic international travellers and notable artists during the Grand Tour, the Villa - epitomising artistry, imagination and contemplation - now embarks on a new chapter. 

REIMAGINED SUITES & ROOMS 

The interiors of Villa San Michele's 27 suites and 12 rooms have been reimagined under the creative direction of Luigi Fragola Architects, a Florence-based interior design and architecture firm renowned internationally for luxury hospitality and exclusive private residences, in close collaboration with Belmond's design team. Unfolding across the original monastery and its gardens, each space is thoughtfully crafted to deepen the connection with the surrounding landscapes, time-honoured Tuscan craftsmanship, and the rich culture of Florence. Every detail invites admiration, from exquisite design pieces to carefully curated collectibles and rare artefacts. 

The Villa reopens with three new signature suites, each masterfully curated to narrate the property's rich heritage: 

Limonaia, located in the former orangery nestled deep in nature, conjures the air of a one-of-a-kind Fiesolan villa complete with personal library, curios, and artwork. Enhanced by an eclectic collection of art and crafts imaginatively designed to evoke the atmosphere of a collector's house, it features a private garden and a heated plunge pool and offers sweeping vistas of both the garden and city beyond.   

The Grand Tour, once a private residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, occupies the entire length of the Villa's first floor, featuring the same impressive city views that beguiled eighteenth-century aristocratic travellers. Tuscan marble, neoclassical tapestries, and antique pieces that lend a residential flavour, combined with a soft, chalky colour palette and an open-plan layout create a harmonious bridge between past and present.  

Botanica is a celebration of the Villa's historical gardens, lush vegetation, and surrounding woodland. Its playful scheme riffs on the relationship between art and nature, seen via craft finishes such as frescoed boiserie as well as scagliola tables hand-made by Florentine masters of this art Bianco Bianchi. Natural textiles, botanical works, and herbarium-themed collections emphasise the connection to the outside world. 

“Each project is conceived with its own identity — in colour, composition and proportion — yet all share a common narrative: a continuous dialogue with nature, curiosity, memory and imagination. These interiors do not merely evoke the Villa's history; they interpret it, renew it, and project it into the restless dynamism of Florence. Authentic materials — Tuscan textiles, artisanal ceramics, marble, terracotta and wood — become the vocabulary of a contemporary language that reimagines the Renaissance ideals of beauty, rebirth and discovery.”  - Luigi Fragola, Luigi Fragola Architects 

Additional accommodations, from Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites to standalone retreats including the Monastery Suite and Chapel Room, have been thoughtfully expanded and reimagined to cultivate a timeless, meditative ambiance. Natural textures, antique pieces, and meticulous restoration imbue the interiors with reflective beauty. Each garden suite is adorned with handmade tapestries, introducing a further layer of artisanal refinement and bespoke charm. 

VILLA SAN MICHELE SPA BY GUERLAIN 

Since its origin, Villa San Michele has been a place connected to spiritual well-being and a destination for mindful living. Soon, the hotel unveils its first-ever spa: the Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain. This exceptional retreat draws inspiration from both the extraordinary setting of the storied Villa and the two-century wellness heritage of the prestigious French beauty maison. 

Guests will be invited into a sanctuary of calm and refinement, featuring three treatment rooms, including one double suite. Setting the tone for escape and renewal, a 'Secret Garden' spa entrance and reception adorned with hand-painted murals and frescoes by artist Elena Carozzi evokes the tumbling fronds of a typical Tuscan garden. The interior design harmoniously weaves natural stone and soft light with exquisite materials like onyx, intricate straw marquetry, and polished marble - creating a sophisticated dialogue between past and present. Guerlain has imagined a collection of exclusive treatments that capture the spirit of the Renaissance and the timeless beauty of Tuscany. Among them, soothing rituals are inspired by the legacy of the monks who once lived in these storied quarters. The Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain offers a poetic experience for the senses that echoes the grace of a masterpiece brought to life. 

GARDENS FOR THE SENSES 

The property's 9700 sqm gardens have been redeveloped by Luca Ghezzi Garden Design in keeping with the historical aesthetics of traditional Fiesole hillside gardens, whilst further enhancing the captivating views across the slopes of Florence. New features include hidden garden nooks, fresh viewpoints, and the reintroduction of blooms characteristic of Renaissance gardens – bringing new colour and diversity to the landscape and complementing the wisteria vine that gracefully weaves along the Villa's east-facing façade. A large variety of potted citrus – deeply prized and collected by the Medicis – stud the terraces, a symbol of the Golden Age and mankind's quest for knowledge and enlightenment. Precious iris, a centuries-old emblem of Firenze, is once again celebrated, alongside rambling roses and an abundant herb and kitchen garden used plentifully by the Villa's bar and restaurants. 

The flourishing gardens and the surrounding Leonardo woodlands - named after artist Da Vinci who in these very hills tested his flying machine in 1506 - inspire rejuvenation and discovery. Guests can explore new corners of this immersive landscape through a variety of outdoor activities, and a curated programme that encourages reflection and renewal. 

A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH LA DOUBLEJ 

Villa San Michele is proud to announce a new partnership with Italy-based luxury lifestyle brand La DoubleJ. This collaboration brings an energetic and aesthetic union to the Villa, encompassing bespoke, custom-designed spaces within the property and a curated programme of energy-raising experiences - from breathwork and yoga to sound healing - curated and led by La DoubleJ founder JJ Martin, all set within the hotel's restorative grounds. 

Further enriching the guest journey, each guest can embark on a personal, contemporary journey of relaxation: unwind in the heated swimming pool with its sweeping panoramic views and enjoy a dynamic calendar of experiences, from music concerts and creative workshops to art talks and mixology evenings.  

AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE: FLAVOURS, HERITAGE, AND TIMELESS ELEGANCE

Meanwhile, the gastronomic restaurant, led by executive chef Alessandro Cozzolino, introduces a new dining concept which takes guests on a voyage of discovery through authentic flavours enjoyed over an inimitable view of Florence, one shared by all three dining spaces across the hotel. The chef will delight guests with new tasting menus that are the result of innovative creativity and careful research celebrating the heritage and produce of Tuscany, complemented by the best regional and Italian wines as well as an excellent selection of international labels. 

The restoration of Villa San Michele underscores Belmond's unwavering dedication to preserving history and cultural significance. This Florentine masterpiece joins the ranks of recent Belmond portfolio enhancements, including Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino and Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, each deeply embedded within their unique cultural landscape. 

Delicately balancing a sense of history and modernity, Villa San Michele reawakens as a symbol of ever-reimagined Renaissance, an eternal presence presiding over one of Italy's most treasured cities. 

Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence opens on 28 April 2026 

THE HIGHLIGHTS Reopening: ... Read more here

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