Villa Olmi Firenze

This grand country estate is composed of a villa, a restored 18th-century farmhouse, and a rural house all surrounded by gorgeous Italian gardens. The property is surrounded by a stone wall, and guests enter through a huge iron gate and drive up to the two-story villa with a magnificent fountain in front. Large potted plants line the entrance, and there are beautiful plants, flowers, and hedges seemingly all around. There’s even a kitchen garden that grows vegetables used at the restaurant. It’s a peaceful, serene setting ideal for travelers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Inside, the lobby is just as grand, with antique furniture, rich rugs atop tile floors, and period detailing such as arches and beamed ceilings. Multiple seating groups with plush sofas and chairs give guests places to hang out. Italian paintings hang behind the small wooden reception desk, and statues all around provide plenty of character. More paintings, statues, and antiques line the hallways leading to guest rooms. The atmosphere is elegant and classic, yet relaxing. It appeals to all sorts of travelers who want to escape to the countryside, especially couples. 

The hotel is located in the green residential suburb of Bagno a Ripoli, a 15-minute drive from Florence's city center. Those with their own wheels will be fine here, but there's really nothing within an easy walk for guests who don't have their own transportation. The must-see Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) is about 20 minutes away by car or 35-40 minutes by public transportation, and many of the city's historic sights and museums are within a five to 10-minute walk from the church. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the city daily, although the schedule is limited. The hotel is also on the way to the Chianti wine region, about a 30-minute drive south. The Florence Airport is about 25 minutes away by car or a little over an hour by public transportation. Airport and train station transfers can be arranged through the hotel. 

Given the amount of space at this hotel, there are a number of well-liked features on offer. One of the highlights is Il Cavaliere restaurant, which serves Italian and Tuscan fare for lunch and dinner, and guests can choose to dine indoors in the dining hall or outside under the pergola or on the veranda overlooking the garden. In season, produce from the hotel's own garden is used in the menu. A breakfast buffet with a wide range of hot and cold items is served daily as well, though it's not included with all room rates. The cozy Le Pergola wine bar serves wine and cocktails, as well as a selection of meats and cheeses. The large rectangular outdoor pool is suitable for swimming laps, and it's surrounded by lovely manicured hedges and gardens. In season, lounge chairs and umbrellas line the pool deck for relaxing poolside, though the pool itself is not heated. Four rooms are suitable for business meetings and social gatherings, and weddings also can be held outdoors in the garden. An Apple computer is set up in the lobby for guests to use, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The property does have a pet-friendly policy and free parking is available. The hotel runs a free shuttle to central Florence, but it's worth noting that the schedule is limited.