Hidden from the modern world on the side of a densely wooded hill, overlooking the faded terracotta roofs of Florence, this five-star hotel (a converted 15th-century monastery) provides just the tonic after a day's sight seeing.
Just 15 minutes from the centre of Florence (a shuttle service is provided), Villa San Michele is blissfully quiet and very romantic. Throughout the property there are lovingly preserved original features such as the age-worn terracotta floor tiles, century-old wisterias and frescoes dating back to 1602. It's easy to imagine monks meandering through the ivy-clad walkways, prayer books in hand, or tending to the immaculate gardens. Today, these impressive gardens, with their manicured lawns and the scent of lemon trees, jasmine and rosemary, present the ideal setting for an evening aperitif.
The hotel's 46 rooms are all elegantly decorated with gleaming walnut furniture and flat-screen TVs, featuring enormous marble bathrooms offering Bulgari and Penhaligon's bathing products.
The main restaurant, La Loggia, occupies the monastery's original cloister. This open-air restaurant delivers the view across the Arno valley and the whole of Florence. Indulge in the warm lobster fillets (£35) or the homemade pasta with wild duck ragout (£24). This is Tuscan cuisine at its finest.
Alternatively, you can order a snack at the poolside restaurant. Villa San Michele's pool is fabulous - tucked away up a winding pathway at the top of the hillside, all you can hear is birdsong (there's a "no mobile phone" policy throughout the hotel). It gets very hot in high season, but don't worry, the staff are on standby with Evian spray misters.
If Villa San Michele's service is a little slow or the Wi-Fi unreliable, consider this is just part of getting away from it all. A long-time favourite with celebrities including Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey and
Vivienne Westwood, Villa San Michele offers five-star rustic romance in the heart of Tuscany.
Villa San Michele, Via Doccia, 4, 50014 Fiesole, Florence, Italy (+39 01 852 67803; villasanmichele.com). Rates start at £376 per room, per night including breakfast.
