Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence

In the mid-15th century, the noble Davanzati family donated a swathe of land on the Fiesole hills to a Franciscan order. Five centuries later, the monastery they built was to become Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel in Florence.

Capturing all the romance of the Renaissance, the hotel boasts interiors steeped in history, lush Italian gardens and unparalleled views of the city and the Chianti hills beyond. Architectural highlights include a façade attributed to Michelangelo and a romantic, arched Loggia, now the hotel’s panoramic restaurant. From here, sunset views embrace the silhouetted domes and turrets of the Florentine skyline. In the nearby Cloister Bar, gentle piano music provides a soundtrack for stargazing through the glass roof.

Forty-five individually designed rooms and suites are arrayed across the monastery building and gardens, including a private three-bedroom villa. Inviting sanctuaries with custom-made furniture and Carrara marble bathrooms, many benefit from private gardens or terraces.

The immaculate gardens burst with lemon trees, orange blossom and fragrant roses. Each spring, a centuries-old wisteria swathes the lawn-facing façade in purple blooms. The heated pool, perched on the hillside, offers breathtaking views of the Arno Valley. Private picnics, alfresco massages and yoga classes can all be enjoyed in the gardens. A changing exhibition of contemporary artworks and site-specific installations keeps the hotel’s creative spirit alive.

Guests may wish to enrol at the world-renowned Cookery School or take a cocktail masterclass with the head barman. A courtesy shuttle runs into the heart of Florence. The concierge can arrange customised activities from street art tours to truffle hunts.