Florence has always had a way of making time feel different. The city hums with history, yes, but it also encourages a kind of deliberate pause – a slower rhythm that lets you absorb beauty, architecture, and the small moments that often get lost in our modern, hurried lives. Set above the city, in the hills of Fiesole, Villa San Michele has always amplified that feeling. And now, after a careful and thoughtful renovation, it’s reopening this April with a fresh perspective on what luxury in Florence can be.

The Villa’s story begins in the 15th century, when it was built as a monastery. Its façade, attributed to Michelangelo, has watched over Florence for centuries, a quiet witness to the city’s art, politics, and culture. Over the years, it’s hosted nobility, artists, and visionaries. Now, Belmond has reimagined it as a “slow luxury” retreat – a phrase that could feel like marketing jargon anywhere else, but here, it genuinely fits. The renovation respects the villa’s monastic roots while layering in the kind of comfort and craftsmanship that feels both thoughtful and indulgent.

Inside, the rooms have been redesigned to reflect their history while embracing the present. Three signature suites particularly stand out:

• Limonaia, the former orangery, where sunlight pours into a private garden and a heated plunge pool invites you to linger. Every piece, from the curated art collection to the intimate terraces, encourages quiet moments.

• The Grand Tour, once Napoleon Bonaparte’s residence, stretches along the first floor with Tuscan marble, neoclassical tapestries, and sweeping views of Florence – a suite that demands slow mornings and long evenings with a book or a glass of Chianti.

• Botanica, a verdant ode to the villa’s gardens, is layered with frescoed panels, botanical artwork, and craft pieces that make it feel like Florence’s past and present have coalesced in your private living space.

And for anyone who likes their relaxation to be as considered as their surroundings, the new Guerlain Spa is an invitation to pause. The treatments take inspiration from monastic rituals and Renaissance serenity, with a secret garden entrance and murals that make the ritual of wellness feel almost theatrical in the best way possible.

A villa in Florence is nothing without its views, and the reimagined gardens here are something to write home about. Spanning almost a hectare, they are a sensory celebration of Tuscany – citrus trees once prized by the Medicis, iris blooms, roses tumbling over terraces, and fragrant herbs that perfume the air. Every corner is an excuse to wander, whether it’s for a yoga session at dawn, a sound healing workshop, or simply to watch the light shift across the terraced hillsides as Florence glows below.

One of the quiet joys of Villa San Michele is that even when the city is just minutes away, it feels like your own hilltop sanctuary. You can sip an espresso on a terrace overlooking Florence, and for a moment, the city’s buzz feels far away. And yet, it’s still there, waiting for you when you’re ready to descend for an afternoon in the Duomo, a stroll along the Arno, or a quiet moment in a lesser-known chapel.

If we were visiting for a few days, we’d suggest a rhythm that balances indulgence with curiosity:

• Morning: Rise early to watch the sunrise over Florence from your terrace, followed by a gentle yoga session in the gardens or a stroll through the citrus groves.

• Midday: Take a private walking tour of Florence – from the Medici Chapels to tucked-away artisan workshops – then return to the villa for a light lunch and perhaps a dip in the Limonaia’s pool.

• Afternoon: Enjoy a treatment at the Guerlain Spa. We’d book the double suite if it’s just the two of us – the kind of experience that feels personal, restorative, and a little cinematic.

• Evening: Dinner at the villa’s restaurant, where Executive Chef Alessandro Cozzolino’s tasting menus bring Tuscan terroir to the table with precision and playfulness. A glass of wine, a view over the city, and the day’s explorations settle like a slow exhale.

And here’s a little cherry on top: for anyone combining Florence with other Italian cities, the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a journey we’d insist on. Imagine boarding in Paris, settled into plush cabins, glass of champagne in hand, as Italy’s countryside rolls past before arriving in Florence. It’s the kind of travel that turns the journey into an extension of the destination – perfectly in tune with the Villa San Michele experience.

Villa San Michele reopens April 28, 2026, and we’d recommend booking well in advance, especially for the signature suites or during spring and autumn when Florence is at its most luminous. The Belmond VSOE train also requires advance reservations if you want that seamless journey from the city into a different era of travel.

If the idea of a Florence escape with history, art, and that unmistakable Tuscan light appeals, we’d love to help you plan your stay. Get in touch, and we’ll map out a visit that balances culture, comfort, and the kind of moments you remember long after you’ve left.