Villa San Michele Fiesole - Tuscany.

Villa San Michele, situated on the hillside of Fiesole overlooking the city of Florence, was originally built in the 15th century and served as a Franciscan monastery right up until 1808 when the monastic orders were dissolved by Napoleon.

In the year 1900, the property was purchased by the American citizen, Henry White Cannon who made some typically Victorian additions to the estate including wrought iron gates and large greenhouses. The inner courtyard was transformed in to a glass and iron roofed winter garden and a russet colored hue was given to the walls.

During the Second World War, the building was considerably damaged. Lucien Tessier bought the villa in 1950 and began restoration work, financing the project by turning the property in to a hotel for those wishing to visit the city of Florence and the surrounding countryside.

A more comprehensive restoration project was embarked upon with the collaboration of the Florence Fine Arts Authority when the Orient-Express Hotels acquired the property in 1982. The work of the expert restorers had the purpose of both restoring the building and the many works of art within its walls and, simultaneously, halting the process of corrosion.

The superbly austere façade, attributed to Michelangelo, was cleaned, reinforced with resins and steel braces and varnished so as to be protected from the elements. In the refectory of the monastery, the 17th century fresco of the Last Supper by Nicodemo Ferrucci was carefully cleaned and repaired, a process which revealed details previously obscured by centuries of chimney smoke, steam from the monks food and even human breath.

Villa San Michele has 46 beautifully furnished rooms and suites in the old monastery and buildings nestling in the hotel's terraced gardens. The small chapel once used by monks for prayer and meditation, has been transformed in a unique suite. Luxurious accommodation has also been created in the Limonaia once used as a winter store for the lemon trees the fruit of which the monks used for medicines and health cures. The Michelangelo suite, originally the monastery library, is one of the largest of the hotel's 25 suites, with immense dual aspect windows offering stunning views of Florence, the Arno Valley and the Chianti hills.

The finest seasonal Tuscan cuisine is served at the hotel's main restaurant, the Loggia Terrace. The hotel's highly acclaimed cooking school offers master classes held by internationally famous chefs.

A panoramic heated swimming pool is situated in the gardens of the hotel. A small fitness facility with treadmill, bikes and step machine provides guests with marvellous views of Florence whilst they work out. The idyllic venue for high profile meetings and social gatherings, the hotel has two function rooms with a capacity for 30 and 50 participants.

A free shuttle service is available, transporting guests to and from the center of Florence in just 14 minutes.