Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
Fiesole
Italy, Europe
Brand
Belmond
Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Service:** The staff's attentive, friendly, and efficient service is a recurring theme in reviews, with many guests noting their willingness to "go the extra mile".
- ✓Dining at Villa San Michele is a significant part of the guest experience, often enjoyed with stunning views. The hotel features three distinct dining options:
Expert Review: Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence, nestled on a hilltop in Fiesole, is a property steeped in history and renowned for its exceptional luxury and breathtaking panoramic views of Florence. Attributed with one Michelin Key for a "very special stay", it consistently garners high praise from guests for its exquisite setting, impeccable service, and serene ambiance.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Villa San Michele is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as spectacular, flawless, and unforgettable. The hotel boasts an "Exceptional" rating of 9.8 based on guest reviews, with staff performance receiving a perfect 10.0 from one source and 9.9 from another. Sentiments often include phrases like "Everything! Gorgeous setting, lovely, helpful, staff, great food, many thoughtful touches in the large, quiet rooms" and "the best service I have ever received from a hotel".
2. Key Highlights
Guests are consistently captivated by several aspects of Villa San Michele:
- Location and Views: The hotel's position in Fiesole offers unparalleled, sweeping views of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, visible from many rooms, restaurants, and the outdoor pool.
- Historical Charm & Design: Housed in a former 15th-century monastery with a facade famously attributed to Michelangelo, the property exudes authentic Renaissance charm. Architectural details like dark wooden doors and original structures are preserved, yet interiors are kept crisp and stylish through continuous renovation. The terraced gardens are also a significant highlight.
- Exceptional Service: The staff's attentive, friendly, and efficient service is a recurring theme in reviews, with many guests noting their willingness to "go the extra mile".
- Tranquil Atmosphere: The hillside location provides a peaceful oasis away from the bustling city center of Florence, allowing for a truly relaxing retreat.
- Amenities: An outdoor swimming pool, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free parking are highly valued amenities. The hotel also provides a fitness center, spa treatments, and a steam room.
3. Room Quality
The rooms and suites at Villa San Michele are designed for ultimate comfort and luxury. They are described as spectacular, large, quiet, and elegantly furnished, often featuring terracotta floors and luxurious Carrara or Cipollino marble bathrooms. Modern amenities include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with CD/DVD players, and mini-bars. While maintaining a touch of monastic simplicity in some areas, the rooms offer first-rate comforts, with bathrooms frequently highlighted as exceptional. Various room types, such as Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, and Premium Rooms, are available, with some suites offering private terraces overlooking Florence.
4. Dining Experience
Dining at Villa San Michele is a significant part of the guest experience, often enjoyed with stunning views. The hotel features three distinct dining options:
- La Loggia: This is the hotel's fine-dining restaurant, highly praised for its innovative cuisine, high-quality local ingredients, and "astonishing evening views" of Florence. Many reviewers suggest it operates at a Michelin-star level.
- Ristorante San Michele: Offering a more casual atmosphere, this restaurant focuses on traditional, tasty Italian and Tuscan cuisine, championing specialties from the Slow Food Foundation.
- San Michele Grill: Located poolside, this venue serves lunch and light snacks, including freshly prepared pizzas, allowing guests to enjoy sumptuous views while dining.
- Breakfast: The American breakfast, served daily, is consistently rated as superb, particularly for the panoramic views from the terrace where it is enjoyed. Guests can also order items à la carte.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Villa San Michele is frequently lauded as one of its strongest assets. Guests consistently highlight the staff's professionalism, friendliness, and willingness to exceed expectations. Reviews describe the service as "fabulous," "spotless," "flawless," and "super friendly". The concierge and room service teams are specifically noted for going "above and beyond". The management is also credited for ensuring "highest standards in all services".
6. Location & Accessibility
Villa San Michele is ideally situated on a hilltop in Fiesole, offering a tranquil escape while still being conveniently accessible to Florence. It's approximately a 10-minute drive from the city. A complimentary shuttle service operates frequently to and from Piazza della Repubblica in the heart of Florence, making sightseeing effortless. For those traveling by car, free self-parking is available on-site. The hotel is also near the Fiesole-Caldine and Compiobbi train stations, providing further public transport options to Florence and the wider region.
7. Value & Pricing
As a luxury Belmond property, Villa San Michele comes with a premium price tag. The average price of a room is around $1603, significantly higher than the average in Fiesole. Weekend nights in May can average around $2,626. While the cost is substantial, many guests feel it is justified by the unparalleled experience, luxury, exceptional service, and breathtaking setting, making it a worthwhile indulgence. Rates are available per person per night, with options for bed and breakfast or half board depending on the season.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted by guests, though they are not widespread recurring issues. One guest reported a minor "electricity" issue in their room and a "few things in the room were broken" like a fridge, bathroom mirror, or drawer handle. An older review from 2019 suggested the pool area could benefit from an upgrade and noted the absence of a "proper spa". However, more recent information indicates the presence of a spa and steam room, and the hotel is undergoing renovations, scheduled to reopen in April 2026, which may address such points.
Sources
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
