(NEWS) FLORENCE, 2025-Oct-31 — /Travel PR News/ — Perched above Florence with sweeping views of the city’s Renaissance skyline, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, is set to reopen on 28 April 2026 after an extensive 18-month renovation that redefines Italian elegance, according to their official press release. Once a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, the property has been meticulously reimagined to celebrate its storied past while embracing modern luxury through refined craftsmanship, cultural depth, and an intimate connection to nature.
The renewed Villa San Michele will reveal 39 exquisitely redesigned rooms and suites conceived by Florence-based Luigi Fragola Architects in collaboration with Belmond’s design team. Each space weaves together Tuscan artistry, historic materials, and serene views of Florence. Highlights include three signature suites—Limonaia, The Grand Tour, and Botanica—each narrating a chapter of the villa’s history through bespoke design, rare artifacts, and private gardens.
A major debut for the hotel is the Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain, its first-ever wellness sanctuary, drawing on both the villa’s monastic heritage and the French maison’s two-century tradition of beauty and rejuvenation. Guests will enter through a “Secret Garden” adorned with hand-painted murals, leading to tranquil treatment rooms where rituals inspired by Renaissance spirituality blend with Guerlain’s signature sophistication.
Outside, nearly 10,000 square metres of terraced gardens have been revitalised by Luca Ghezzi Garden Design, echoing the grandeur of Fiesole hillside gardens. The landscape now flourishes with citrus trees, irises, roses, and aromatic herbs used by the hotel’s culinary team. Guests can wander through secluded nooks, participate in restorative outdoor experiences, and admire the panoramic views that once captivated Leonardo da Vinci on these same hills.
Villa San Michele also unveils a new partnership with Italian luxury lifestyle brand La DoubleJ, bringing vibrant design and energy-raising experiences—such as yoga, sound healing, and creative workshops—curated by founder JJ Martin. Complementing this holistic renewal, executive chef Alessandro Cozzolino introduces an innovative dining concept celebrating Tuscan produce and heritage with refined tasting menus and panoramic dining spaces overlooking Florence.
The transformation underscores Belmond’s dedication to preserving cultural icons while reimagining them for contemporary travellers. With its new spa, extended operating season, and artistic reinterpretation of heritage, Villa San Michele reemerges as a sanctuary of slow luxury—a living tribute to the enduring spirit of the Renaissance.
