Villa San Michele Reclaims its Renaissance Splendour After Extensive Renovation

Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel, reopened its doors last month following an 18-month refurbishment. Perched in the hills of Fiesole overlooking Florence, the property, once a Renaissance convent, has been reimagined to offer guests enhanced wellbeing, gastronomy, and cultural immersion.

Newsdesk of Luxury Travel Advisor reports that the hotel now features 39 re-envisioned rooms and suites, a dedicated Spa by Guerlain, and revitalised gardens. The reopening also introduces a new destination restaurant and a curated wellness programme developed in collaboration with Milanese lifestyle brand La DoubleJ. Newsdesk notes that the hotel, celebrated for its 'Michelangelo-inspired façade' and extensive Florentine vistas, initially welcomed guests back late last month.

The redesigned spaces, overseen by Luigi Fragola Architects, reportedly emphasise Tuscan craftsmanship. According to Newsdesk of Luxury Travel Advisor, the 27 new suites and 12 rooms integrate 'hand-selected antiques,' furniture by Bianco Bianchi crafted from scagliola, and tapestries by Elena Carozzi. Restored stone fireplaces, evoking the building's monastic origins, are complemented by floors of Impruneta terracotta and bathrooms adorned with green-veined Cipollino marble from Carrara. Among the signature suites cited is the Limonaia, described as a two-storey retreat with a private plunge pool evoking 'a Fiesolan villa nestled in nature,' and the Botanica, a garden-inspired offering surrounded by woodland. The Grand Tour suite, historically Napoleon Bonaparte's headquarters, features 'travel-inspired artefacts' and an open-plan studio layout.

Newsdesk of Luxury Travel Advisor highlights several commissioned artworks throughout the property, including hand-painted murals by Florentine artist Francesca Guicciardini, loggia installations by Cristina Corvino, botanical watercolours by Maria Rita Stirpe, and assemblages by Mirco Marchelli.

The Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain offers three treatment rooms, including a double suite. Signature offerings include 'Floral Delight in Tuscany' and 'The Art of Renaissance,' alongside the 'Iris di Grazia' anti-aging facial, a nod to Florence's emblematic flower. The spa's entrance, termed the 'Secret Garden,' is adorned with frescoes by Elena Carozzi.

The terraced gardens, spanning over 10,000 square meters and redesigned by Luca Ghezzi Garden Design, have been revitalised with new citrus plantings, Mediterranean borders featuring lavender and rosemary, and an expanded kitchen herb garden. Newsdesk of Luxury Travel Advisor also mentions an iris garden and a 42-meter rose path. The surrounding Parco Monumentale di Monte Ceceri woodland now includes new hiking trails and restored ancient stone benches.

The property's 'Energy Raising Programme,' a collaboration with La DoubleJ founder JJ Martin, introduces three dedicated spaces within the Villa's woodland: the Energy Chapel, a former place of worship reimagined with a gong and meditation pillows; an adjacent Sungazing Lounge; and an open-air Yoga Deck. The programme includes Kundalini yoga, sound healing, and yoga nidra, with monthly visiting practitioners and seasonal retreats, the first of which, 'Embodied Presence,' is scheduled for September 3–6.

For dining, the renovation added Antesi, a new destination restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Alessandro Cozzolino, to the hotel's existing San Michele Restaurant and poolside San Michele Grill. Situated in a 16th-century Renaissance loggia, Antesi, with its eight tables, operates around three tasting menus: 'Attesa,' exploring the chef's origins; 'Ora,' focusing on local terroir; and 'Traccia,' a vegetable-forward selection. Chef Cozzolino is quoted by Newsdesk of Luxury Travel Advisor stating, 'Our concept is born from listening to time and nature.' He adds that their role is to 'recognize and respect' the peak expression of every ingredient, 'creating dishes that listen rather than command.'

Our take: Belmond's custodianship of historical properties is consistently marked by a reverence for provenance twinned with a perceptive eye for contemporary guest expectations. The integration of Guerlain's exacting standards for wellness and La DoubleJ's vibrant aesthetic into a Renaissance architectural gem signals a sophisticated recalibration. It reflects a growing industry trend towards layered guest experiences that blend cultural immersion with bespoke restorative practices, moving beyond mere luxury towards a more holistic engagement with a destination's unique spirit.