Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence — Hotel in Fiesole

A MUST stay for your visit in Florence. With the city of Florence in the background you wind your way up the driveway to Villa San Michele. You can sense the anticipation that this property is going to be special. As you enter through the wrought iron gate the view of the hotel is stunning. Greeting your eye is a 16th century Renaissance monastery with a modern flair. With friendly smiles and a polite "Buongiorno" you are greeted and escorted into the reception area. The entire property is first-class and extremely worthy of a 5-star property. Appointed artwork, statuary, greenery, flowers, antique furniture, and lush immaculate grounds introduces the eye to the impressive details and architecture of the property. As you walk through the hotel’s common areas you are impressed with each room’s beauty and elegance. Sophia escorted us on an extensive tour of the property and then to our room.

Our guest room was the Greenhouse Room. A short walkway from the main building leading to a stone staircase, ushers you to a hidden ivy-covered guest room. The rooms rooftop terrace overlooks the hotel and city of Florence. What a gorgeous terrace view to share coffee in the morning or champagne after dark. We returned from dinner and shared in the wedding’s celebratory fireworks at the hotel. The guest room itself is very large with a king size bed, sofa and sitting area. The ornate Italian marble bathroom with separated sinks was spacious and closet space was very accommodating. The attention to detail continued with the bouquets of flowers, antique furniture, lighting, and rich colors. Housekeeping kept the room clean and tidy. We never knew they were there. You returned every evening to turndown service with the drapes drawn, dimmed lights, slippers beside the bed, and bottled water.

After a refreshing night’s sleep our day started every morning with coffee delivered to our room by Filippo. Thank you, sir! Breakfast is served at the Ristorante San Michele terrace overlooking the city of Florence. Breathtaking views. A la carte menu with an entire room buffet filled with fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses, meats, and breads. The coffee was exceptional, and our server Anna kept our cups filled and tended to our every need, Thank you! Our dinner experience at Ristorante San Michele was tasty and savory. From my fettuccine with wild boar to my wife’s whole fish (which she asked to fillet herself) our dinner was outstanding.

Complimentary shuttle service to Florence added to a memorable experience. Drop off / pick up at Piazza della Repubblica made for convenient access to the city. The 20–25-minute ride allowed for sightseeing and meeting new friends from around the world.

A special thank you to Concierge Adriano who went above and beyond to make our experience exceptional and magical. Your recommendations were incredible!

A special thank you to Luana for her helpfulness and thoughtfulness. You added exponentially to our anniversary holiday. Your smile is radiant!

We can’t say enough about the hotel’s General Manager, Sofia Peluso. Your professionalism and customer service are outstanding and distinguished. You went over and above to make our stay memorable and extraordinary. Thank you. Judy and I feel we made a...

Villa San Michele is truly a remarkable hotel, set on the hills above Florence, offering a spectacular view of the city.

Location

The hotel is housed in a stunning historical building, about 20-30 minutes drive from Florence’s old center. While it’s not within walking distance of major attractions, its peaceful setting away from the city crowds is a major plus. Fortunately, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service, though you’ll need to plan around their schedule. We managed to use it every day of our stay, which made getting into the city quite convenient.

Rooms

The rooms are decorated in a classic Italian style spacious and elegant, though personally, I prefer a more modern design. However, if you appreciate traditional Italian decor, these rooms will be perfect for you.

Breakfast & Service

Breakfast was outstanding, both in quality and presentation. The staff was incredibly friendly, offering detailed explanations about the food. And the view from the breakfast area? Simply breathtaking.

The Hotel & Atmosphere

The real highlight of Villa San Michele is the hotel itself. The historical architecture, combined with beautifully maintained gardens, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. I could easily spend an entire day just exploring the hotel and admiring its design.

Final Thoughts

Although it’s not located in the heart of Florence, Villa San Michele is undoubtedly one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed at. If you’re looking for a luxurious and tranquil retreat with an unbeatable view, I highly recommend spending a few days here while...

Dear Villa San Michele,||||My wife, daughter, and I recently visited your establishment to explore the possibility of returning for a meal or a stay. As seasoned travellers who have frequented many five-star hotels, we were taken aback by the unprofessional and unwelcoming reception we received.||||First Impressions Matter: Belmond, unfortunately, missed the mark on this occasion. First impressions are crucial, and our encounter left much to be desired.||||GM Reputation: I had heard positive things about the General Manager, Sofia Peluso however, our experience made me question whether those accolades were warranted.||||Unpleasant Greeting: One of the three staff members at the entrance questioned our presence, displaying an obtuse attitude. Despite explaining that we were local guests, we felt unwelcome. The situation resembled a scene from the movie “Pretty Woman.”||||Mixed Signals: After some “discussion,” we were begrudgingly shown to a garden terrace. However, the staff’s lingering stares and the shocking initial greeting prompted us to leave prematurely.||||Impactful Encounter: Our brief visit left a lasting impression. I felt compelled to share this review, as professionalism is integral to a memorable hotel experience.||||Recommendation: For those seeking true five-star treatment, I recommend trying Villa Fiesole. Their staff sets a standard leagues above what we encountered here.||||Thank you for considering our feedback.||||Best regards,...