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, cascading Italian gardens and unparalleled views of the city and the Chianti hills beyond. Architectural highlights include a façade designed by the School of Michelangelo and a romantic, arched Loggia, now the hotel's panoramic restaurant. Here, creative fine dining is on the menu while views embrace the silhouetted domes and turrets of the Florentine skyline. Nearby Bar San Michele is a venue for lively and relaxed gatherings, enhanced by views of the stars 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. A thriving social scene of art, culture and gastronomy, underpinned by a new theme each season, keeps the hotel's creative spirit alive. A courtesy shuttle runs into the heart of Florence. The concierge can arrange customised activities, including tours visiting renowned Florentine artisans and city excursions in an iconic Ape Calessino.