Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, FlorencevsCasa Howard Firenze - Residenza d'Epoca
Both properties are recommended by professionals. Overall, Casa Howard Guest House is the choice of most reviewers compared to Belmond Villa San Michele. Casa Howard Guest House has a TripExpert Score of 81 with recommendations from 8 publications like Afar Magazine, Frommer's and The Telegraph.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence
Via Doccia 4, 50014 Fiesole
From $534/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Free Breakfast
- Shuttle Bus
- Laundry Service
Michelin Guide
"Relax in the tranquil grounds of this elegant 15C building and enjoy the superb views of the city below."
Fodor's
"The cypress-lined driveway provides an elegant preamble to this incredibly gorgeous (and very expensive) hotel nestled in the hills of Fiesole." Full review
DK Eyewitness
"Once a monastery, the design of this hotel’s façade is attributed to Michelangelo."
Condé Nast Traveler
""You cannot beat the ambience" at this former monastery on a cliffside amid trees and terraced gardens just outside Florence." Full review
Afar Magazine
"The hotel’s expansive rooms are already decked out in the most tasteful, almost understated interpretation of Renaissance luxury." Full review
Travel + Leisure
"From its hillside perch just below the village of Fiesole, a northern suburb of Florence, the Villa San Michele overlooks the wide sprawl of the city." Full review
The Telegraph
9.0
"Villa San Michele — one of Florence’s most expensive hotels — is housed in an ancient former monastery, and combines Renaissance atmosphere with 21st-century comforts galore." Full review
Hideaway Report
96.0
"Sumptuously restored hilltop hotel (15 minutes by shuttle from city center) housed by a 15th-century Franciscan monastery commanding a glorious panoramic view of Florence." Full review
Independent
"This luxury hotel really knows how to look after its guests. It combines a historical atmosphere with 21st-century comforts; think rooms with rich fabrics and marble bathrooms."
Best hotels in Florence 2023: Where to stay for culture and comfort
February 17, 2023
Michelin Guide
"Carved chests, austerely shaped chairs, glazed terracotta floors. None of that clutter that you find in your run-of-the-mill 18th-century palace hotel. The decor, in fact, almost looks minimalist." Full review
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Please note: Hotel Villa San Michele is a seasonal property open annually from the end of March through November.
Casa Howard Firenze - Residenza d'Epoca
Via della Scala 18, 50123 Florence
From $78/night
- Pet Friendly
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Laundry Service
- Multilingual
- Dry Cleaning
Frommer's
"Quirky, midsize, individual rooms in this palazzo turned chic, contemporary guesthouse come with stylized themes." Full review
Concierge
"Casa Howard... invented the luxury Italian guesthouse... this discreet home-away-from-home exports that winning formula to Florence, offering high standards of comfort and service at great rates."
Lonely Planet
"With six rooms, this is a delicious retreat near the train station."
Travel + Leisure
"This affordable guesthouse... features 13 themed accommodations in a prime location near Santa Maria Novella church." Full review
DK Eyewitness
"The individual, characterful rooms combine original features with modern furnishings."
Fodor's
"This unassuming little inn has no two rooms alike, and an aura of eclectic funk pervades: one room takes its inspiration from Japan; others are geared to families." Full review
Afar Magazine
"A guesthouse to its core, Casa Howard continues this Florentine tradition; there is neither lobby nor restaurant, and the husband-and-wife owners live in their own apartment here while in town." Full review
The Telegraph
8.0
"A stay at Casa Howard feels a bit like being the house guest of a rather eccentric but very stylish friend who has gone on holiday." Full review