Belmond’s Italian properties offer a different approach to luxury, focusing less on spectacle and more on history, craftsmanship, design and the character of each destination.
The luxury travel group, owned by LVMH, has nine properties across Italy, spanning locations from Tuscany and Florence to Venice and the Ligurian coast. Each hotel reflects its surroundings while encouraging guests to embrace the Italian tradition of slowing down and staying present.
A journey through three of the properties begins in Tuscany at Castello di Casole, a former medieval castle dating back to 998. Set among vineyards and rolling hills, the hotel retains many of the original features of the historic estate.
Former spaces have been transformed into guest accommodations and facilities, including a wine cellar that now houses the Essere spa. Suites in the former lemon barn feature private gardens, while others retain original stone walls and distinctive architectural details.
The hotel also draws heavily on its artistic heritage. Bar Visconti, named after filmmaker Luchino Visconti, features black-and-white photographs from his films alongside Tuscan frescoes. Its terrace provides views across the surrounding vineyards and castles.
The next stop is Villa San Michele, located in Fiesole above Florence. The former Renaissance-era monastery reopened after an extensive renovation, with its historic architecture carefully integrated into a contemporary design.
The hotel’s lobby occupies the former church of Villa San Michele alla Doccia, whose soaring ceilings and arches have been preserved. Throughout the property, modern textiles, artwork and decorative elements are layered against centuries-old architectural features.
Its gardens are another defining feature. Dating back to the 15th century, they include terraces filled with roses and lavender, along with a centuries-old wisteria surrounding the Renaissance façade.
The rooms and suites continue the emphasis on local craftsmanship, incorporating materials such as Impruneta terracotta, Cipollino marble and bespoke woodwork. Among the standout accommodations is the Grand Tour Suite, which once served as Napoleon Bonaparte’s military headquarters in 1808.
Villa San Michele has also introduced Antesi, an eight-table restaurant set within a 16th-century Renaissance loggia overlooking Florence. Executive chef Alessandro Cozzolino uses seasonal ingredients, including produce and flowers sourced from the hotel’s gardens.
The final destination is Hotel Cipriani in Venice, situated on the tip of Giudecca Island and reached by the hotel’s private boat. Founded in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani, the property became associated with Venice’s glamorous dolce vita era.
Today, the hotel combines its mid-century heritage with contemporary art and Venetian design. Architect and designer Peter Marino has overseen a transformation that brings together traditional terrazzo floors, Murano glass, antique marble and modern artworks.
The hotel’s Signature Suites are designed to resemble private Venetian apartments, while the famous Casanova Gardens continue to provide a secluded setting away from the busy streets of central Venice.
At Cip’s Club, guests can dine beside panoramic views of St Mark’s Square. The hotel also provides a complimentary speedboat service connecting the property with the square throughout the day and night.
Across these three properties, Belmond’s approach is consistent: preserve the history and identity of each place while introducing contemporary comforts and design. From a medieval castle in Tuscany to a Renaissance monastery near Florence and a legendary Venetian retreat, the hotels offer different expressions of an unhurried Italian escape.
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