Villa San Michele, Belmond

A 15th-century monastery in the Fiesole hills above Florence, now a Belmond hotel of 39 rooms and suites with terraced gardens, a heated panoramic pool and a Guerlain spa.

Roses and lemon trees still scent the terraced gardens the monks laid out at Villa San Michele, a 15th-century monastery high in the Fiesole hills above Florence. Its facade is attributed to the school of Michelangelo.

Rooms run from 29 to 37 sq m, and junior suites start at 38 sq m. At the top, the three signature suites start at 109 sq m and sleep up to four. There are 39 rooms and suites in all.

Dinner at Antesi, the fine-dining restaurant, is served on a loggia. Ristorante San Michele, the San Michele Grill by the pool and Bar Doccia cover the rest of the day. The outdoor pool is heated and panoramic, the spa is the Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain, and Michelin gives the hotel one Key.

Santa Maria Novella station is a 15-minute drive and Florence airport about 30 minutes, and a complimentary shuttle runs into the centre. The villa opens for a season and closes in January, so check the dates before you plan a winter stay.