La Réserve Firenze - New Hotel in Florence, Italy

A Hillside Sanctuary Overlooking Florence

Set in the hills of Fiesole, just minutes from Florence, the hotel offers a perspective that feels both elevated and deeply immersive. From its terraces and gardens, the entire city unfolds below, framed by the Arno Valley and rolling Tuscan hills. Surrounded by woodland, olive groves, and manicured gardens, the property feels secluded and serene, yet remains closely connected to Florence via a short shuttle ride. This duality defines the experience: countryside tranquility paired with immediate access to one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.

From 15th-Century Monastery to Belmond Icon

Originally founded as a Franciscan monastery in the 15th century, the property is deeply rooted in Florence’s religious and artistic history. Its iconic façade, attributed to the School of Michelangelo, remains one of its most striking features, embodying the grandeur of the Renaissance. Over the centuries, the monastery evolved into a private residence before becoming a luxury hotel, eventually joining the Belmond portfolio. Today, the property stands as a living heritage site, where every stone carries memory and meaning. Currently undergoing a significant renovation, the hotel is set to reopen on April 28, 2026, marking a new chapter that carefully balances preservation and modern refinement.

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Villa San Michele is not inspired by history, it is history. Cloisters, vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors, and original stone details define the architecture, creating a setting that feels authentic and deeply atmospheric. The design approach remains intentionally restrained, allowing the building’s Renaissance identity to take center stage. The ongoing renovation enhances comfort while preserving original elements, ensuring that the property retains its soul while evolving for contemporary travelers. The result is a rare form of luxury, one that is quiet, cultivated, and rooted in authenticity rather than spectacle.

Timeless Tuscan Elegance

The hotel offers around 40 to 46 rooms and suites, each uniquely shaped by the former monastery’s structure. Interiors reflect a refined Tuscan aesthetic, with lime-washed walls, antique furnishings, and handcrafted details. Bathrooms feature noble materials such as Carrara and Cipollino marble, while soft textiles and warm tones create an atmosphere of understated comfort. Some rooms are located in former monastic spaces, including the chapel, while others open onto private terraces or gardens. Many offer panoramic views over Florence, transforming each stay into a deeply visual and emotional experience.

Culinary Experiences with a View Over the Arno Valley

Dining at Villa San Michele is inseparable from its setting. At La Loggia, guests dine beneath the monastery’s arches, with sweeping views over Florence that shift dramatically from day to night. The culinary approach celebrates Tuscan gastronomy through a refined and contemporary lens, highlighting seasonal ingredients and regional flavors. Additional venues, including Ristorante San Michele and the more relaxed San Michele Grill by the pool, create a layered dining experience that evolves throughout the day. The hotel also offers immersive culinary experiences, including cooking classes that connect guests to the region’s gastronomic heritage.

Gardens, Pool, and a Natural Approach to Wellbeing

Wellness at Villa San Michele is expressed through landscape rather than infrastructure. The historic gardens, originally tended by Franciscan monks, remain one of the property’s defining features, with terraced lawns, cypress-lined paths, and centuries-old vegetation creating an atmosphere of deep tranquility. The panoramic heated swimming pool, set on a grassy plateau above the gardens, offers one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Florence. Here, the experience becomes almost meditative, shaped by silence, light, and expansive views over the Arno Valley. A fitness center and curated experiences complement this approach, focusing on holistic wellbeing rather than a traditional spa concept.

A Timeless Renaissance Escape, Reimagined for 2026

With its reopening in 2026, Villa San Michele reaffirms its status as one of Italy’s most iconic luxury retreats. It is a place where history is not staged but lived, where architecture, landscape, and light create an experience that feels both intimate and monumental. In a world of increasingly contemporary hospitality, this Florentine sanctuary offers something rare: a return to timeless beauty, elevated by modern comfort and an unparalleled sense of place.

We love Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel for:

– Reopening in April 2026 after a full renovation
– Former 15th-century monastery with façade linked to Michelangelo
– Around 40 to 46 rooms and suites with historic character
– Panoramic views over Florence from the hills of Fiesole
– Tuscan dining at La Loggia with iconic terrace views
– Terraced gardens and panoramic heated pool overlooking the Arno Valley