- Villa San Michele in Florence is set to reopen in April 2026 following a meticulous 18-month renovation.
- The upgraded property features 39 redesigned rooms and suites, a new culinary direction and the property’s first-ever Guerlain spa.
- Florentine architect Luigi Fragola’s design transforms the former 15th century monastery into a contemporary Tuscan destination, complete with cascading gardens spanning nearly 10,000 sqm.
- Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel reopens on 28 April 2026.
Mark Twain once described Florence as ‘a city of dreams’, where the beauty of sunset’s rays against the sharp-lined architecture could stir even the coldest of natures. My experience with the legendary Renaissance epicentre, while brief, was no less memorable. In the spring of 2019, I spent a grand total of 36 hours in Florence, as part of a whirlwind Contiki tour around the major European travel destinations.
As a poor, uncultured 20-something with no concept of historical patronage, I saw no museums, no galleries and no tourist hotspots. I did, however, spend a fair chunk of time at a space-themed nightclub, so you can probably guess where my priorities lay.
Like passing ships in the night, the exquisite beauty of Florence, from the striking architecture of Brunelleschi’s dome on the Florence Cathedral to the awe-inspiring spectacle that is Michelangelo’s David, never quite made contact with this budding traveller. For that, I hold many regrets, namely because Florence is a city of profound cultural significance.
Home to the works of Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli, the Tuscan region served as the epicentre of Renaissance art and philosophy; a place where free thinkers and creatives helped birth a revolutionary way of living. I often find myself on the hunt for a cheap flight to Florence to right my past wrongs and see the city for all its profound mastery and beauty, and if I ever do, I’ll have a new masterpiece to add to the itinerary.
Belmond Villa San Michele
In April 2026, Belmond Villa San Michele will reopen to the public following a meticulous 18-month renovation led by Florentine architect Luigi Fragola. The pride of the hotel group’s Florentine operations, Villa San Michele is one of the best hotels in the world for authentic Renaissance architecture, replete with the most iconic view
of Florence.
Located within a former monastery that dates back to the 15th century, the property houses 39 suites and rooms, each completely redesigned to fuse traditional elements with contemporary living. Part of the renovation included restoring the existing structure; a painstaking process that involved construction to the arched terrace and preservation work focused on the original chapel, frescoes, loggias, cloister and meticulously maintained terraced gardens.
According to Villa San Michele general manager, Sofia Peluso, the hotel’s meticulous redesign fuses elements of traditional Tuscan design with Belmond’s refined sense of modern luxury.
“For us, hospitality is deeply intertwined with cultural immersion,“ Peluso said. “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.“
Suites and Rooms
Luigi Fragola, the architect tasked with the remarkable redesign obviously agreed. Each of the revamped Villa San Michele’s 27 suites and 12 rooms has been thoughtfully crafted to deepen the connection with the surrounding landscapes. However, the three signature suites are undoubtedly the show-stoppers.
The first, Limonaia, is located in the former orangery and features a personal library, curios and artwork enhanced by an eclectic collection of art and crafts. It also houses a private garden and a heated plunge pool where guests can enjoy sweeping vistas of both the garden and city beyond.
The second, Botanica, is described as a celebration of the Villa’s historical gardens. Fragola’s playful scheme riffs on the relationship between art and nature, most evident through the exquisite craft finishes in the frescoed boiserie as well as the handmade scagliola tables.
The final suite, The Grand Tour, is a true one-of-a-kind historical experience. Occupying the entire length of the Villa’s first floor, this suite was once a private residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and features the same impressive city views that beguiled 18th-century aristocratic travellers. Here, you’ll find Tuscan marble, neoclassical tapestries and antique pieces that lend a residential flavour, combined with a soft, chalky colour palette and an open plan layout that creates a harmonious bridge between past and present.
According to Fragola, the design was inspired by the property’s storied heritage and idyllic hillside setting. The reimagination sees an emphasis on Tuscan craftsmanship, cultural curation and harmony with nature.
“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,“ the Florentine architect explained. “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.“
Guerlain Spa
For weary sightseers, Belmond has always represented a unique form of slow travel. The luxury hotel group is no stranger to refined experiences that capture cultural heritage and natural beauty with Villa San Michele proving no exception.
When open, the revamped property will incorporate its first-ever spa by Guerlain, alongside a nature immersive programme that Belmond explains has been created to ‘cultivate a profound sense of renewal’. It begins with a ‘Secret Garden’ spa entrance that is adorned with hand-painted murals and frescoes by artist Elena Carozzi that evoke the tumbling fronds of a typical Tuscan garden.
Additionally, Guerlain has imagined a collection of exclusive treatments that hark back to the property’s unique heritage, such as soothing rituals inspired by the monks who once called the monastery home.
Belmond Villa San Michele Opening and Bookings
On the food front, executive chef Alessandro Cozzolino has also revamped the dining offering, promising to take guests on a voyage of discovery through authentic Florentine flavours. New tasting menus that celebrate the heritage and produce of Tuscany will form the basis of Villa San Michele’s gastronomic restaurant, all complemented by the best regional and Italian wines.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel reopens on 28 April 2026, just weeks after the opening of Belmond Villa Timeo in Sicily. The Florentine unique property is located in the hills of scenic Fiesole, overlooking the city of Florence and features 27 suites and 12 rooms. For more information on the property’s history or to book a stay, visit the Belmond website.
