Hotel Villa San Michele, Florence

About Hotel Villa San Michele

To stay in such an exquisite location, surrounded by woodland and affording magnificent views over Florence, is a true delight. You will be greeted by a unique façade of this 15th century monastery, originally designed by the artist Michelangelo and later converted into a charming hotel. The elegant interior of this 5* hotel is tastefully decorated with the highest standard of comfort yet maintaining its original features. Its chapel is now the reception area and the Cenacolo is now the hotel's restaurant. Weather permitting, guests may also dine by candlelight in the elegant Loggia dining room, enjoying a breathtaking view of Florence and the Arno Valley. Fiesole is a 15 minute drive from the heart of Florence and the hotel provides an hourly courtesy shuttle bus to the city centre.

Accommodation:

Classic Double
Each of the classic rooms features king, queen or twin beds. With views either looking onto the cloister, or at the soaring cypress trees intertwined with creeping roses and wisteria.
A number of our 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, curtains of the finest cotton and upholstery in elegant symbiosis, with the colour schemes dominated by warm pastels.

Superior Junior Suite
Their character, exceptional furnishings, spaciousness and elegant charm, combined with their secluded gardens and views on the Arno Valley, distinguish these Junior Suites.

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.

Garden Suite
Very special and 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
The Presidential Suite is the most dramatic in the hotel.
Located in the 17th century 'Limonaia' (the former orangerie of the convent), in prime location with breathtaking view over Florence and the sorrounding 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. A beautiful selection of toiletries, soft towels and dressing gowns at clients' disposal.

Supplements (from):

Superior Double £36. Deluxe Double £68. Classic Double for sole use £130. Superior Junior Suite £1560. Deluxe Junior Suite £212. Suite £281. Half Board £85.

Dining Guide:

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 sumptuous dishes.
For private banquets the Ristorante Antico (Antique Restaurant) and the Cenacolo rooms provide an intimate and stunning setting

The Pool Restaurant
Enjoy lunch or a light snack in our Pool Restaurant beside our stunning 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.

Facilities:

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounge
• Heated swimming pool (normally in use May-Sep)
• Garden
• Gym
• Free on-site parking

Please Note:

Shuttle bus operates from 8.30am-12.30pm & 3-7pm from the hotel to Piazza della Republica in the centre of Florence.
Fiesole is 6 miles (10km) from Florence and 64 miles (103km) from Pisa.

Information:

Full American breakfast.
The hotel has 46 air-conditioned rooms.
Transfer time from Pisa airport: 1 hour 20 Mins.
Transfer time from Florence airport: 20 mins.
Child prices apply to ages 2-11 years.
Official Rating 5 Star

About Florence

For a tiny city-state, Florence enjoys an enormous reputation for art, scholarship, architecture and science that belies its concentrated size. Contemporary Florence spills into the lush Tuscan countryside, but the hub of its centro storico, a treasure trove of culture, stylish living and epicurean thrills, can be crossed at a leisurely pace within half an hour. The compact nature of this honey-coloured enclave lends it an intimate atmosphere, zealously preserved by a municipality that ferociously defends ancient civic liberties whose martial and banking skills not only once ruled the papacy, but also had a profound influence on shaping European culture for over five centuries.

Florence is an erudite university centre, bursting with youthful enthusiasm and a down to earth population, who rejoice in a philosophical way of life dedicated to eating, drinking and romantic pleasures. Easy if you are one of its privileged citizens to take its lofty Renaissance accomplishments for granted, but successive generations of visitors have come here to grasp its magnificence and leave with their cheeks flushed by the city's gilded beauty.

A few short steps from Santa Maria Novella railway station stands Florence's Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), Europe's fourth largest church and famed for its orange-tiled dome. The Baptistry, with its soaring Campanile designed by Giotto in 1334, traces its origins to the 4th century with its provenance inscribed on bronze doors. Meandering, cobbled lanes lead to the Piazza della Signoria and its famous Palazzo Vecchio, a monumental icon to the city founders' independent republicanism.

Close by, the Galleria degli Uffizi houses Italy's greatest collection of paintings, its magnificent interiors exhibiting priceless works including Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus', where he reveals the lithesome grace of his mistress who posed as a model for many of his presentations of pagan goddesses and saintly madonnas.

Walking through Florence, an overwhelming number of historic places reveal Michelangelo's statuary and lead curious eyes to pry at Palazzo Pitti and its Boboli Gardens graced by ornamental lakes and dominated by a hill on which Forte di Belvedere warns amorous couples against the intrusion of vengeful husbands. From Piazza della Signoria avid shoppers can discover the ancient quarter of San Lorenzo (named after The Magnificent). Here rises a 19th century palazzo built in stone, iron and glass consecrated to the Tuscan passion for food with galleries of butchers, greengrocers and pasta counters.

Huddling round this is a maze of al fresco stalls, retailing high quality leather goods and stylish apparel, and for those in search of the ultra chic, the district of Oltrarno, traditionally an artisans' quarter, has become one of the most illustrious fashion centres in the world.
Smart boutiques line its Borgo San Iacopo, whose tributary lanes are punctuated with exclusive restaurants, cosy bars and trattorie, specialising in delicious traditional Tuscan cuisine. Crossing the River Arno on the Ponte Vecchio, an ancient bridge crammed with jewellery workshops and goldsmith's shops, is a must during your stay in this Renaissance capital of Tuscany.