Il Salviatino

Il Salviatino is a five-star, 39-room villa hotel in the Fiesole hills above Florence, set within five hectares of private park. It runs seasonally and typically closes in deep winter, pairing 15th-century Renaissance heritage with the Da Giacomo al Salviatino restaurant, an outdoor pool and sweeping views across the city to the Duomo.

"A seasonal Renaissance villa in a private park above Florence with Duomo views and a pool; a superb setting, but out of town."

Aggregate 9.0/10 on our editorial scale (Room & Design, Service, Location). Independently scored; see our methodology. This is our opinion, not an aggregate of user reviews.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from bookings at no cost to you. We never accept payment for placement. Facts verified against official sources and the 2026 Michelin Guide in July 2026.

What makes Il Salviatino special?

Il Salviatino sells a version of Florence most central hotels cannot: space, silence and a private hilltop estate. It occupies a restored 15th-century villa in Fiesole, roughly fifteen minutes by car from the historic centre, surrounded by five hectares of gardens, olive terraces and woodland. The appeal is the setting. Guests trade doorstep proximity to the Uffizi for panoramic views over the valley to Florence and, from the best rooms and the terrace, the dome of the cathedral. The house keeps its original frescoes, grand salons and a library, and the service model leans personal, with staff aiming to greet guests by name rather than at a formal front desk. An outdoor pool sits in the grounds, and the estate lends itself to slow days, garden walks and long lunches on the terrace. This is a retreat rather than a base for relentless sightseeing, better suited to travellers who want a car or the hotel shuttle and value calm over convenience. Note the seasonal operation: the villa does not trade year-round, so confirm dates directly before booking. When open, it is one of the most atmospheric addresses around Florence.

Which room should you book?

Il Salviatino has 39 rooms and suites, spread across the main villa and garden buildings, and no two are laid out quite the same. Categories run from entry-level villa rooms up through junior suites and larger signature suites, with the grandest options carrying original frescoes, high ceilings and generous sitting areas. Interiors mix period features, restored walls and antiques with contemporary comforts, so the mood is a country villa rather than a slick modern hotel. Views are a major differentiator and worth specifying at booking: some rooms look over the private park and gardens, others across the Tuscan valley, and a favoured few take in the Florence skyline with the Duomo in the distance. Several rooms open onto terraces or balconies. Because the building is historic, room shapes, sizes and light vary considerably, and the character that makes the best rooms special can mean quirks in the smaller ones. Bathrooms are generally well appointed. Given the range, guests who care about a specific view, a terrace or step-free access should state their priorities clearly, as the spread between the simplest and the most lavish accommodation here is wide.

Where should you eat and drink?

The hotel's restaurant is Da Giacomo al Salviatino, run in partnership with the Giacomo Milano restaurant group and serving Italian cooking with a Tuscan accent. In the warmer months it operates on the panoramic terrace and in the adjoining Sala Alfresco, trading heavily on the view over the gardens and the city. In colder weather the setting moves indoors to the villa's library, a smaller candlelit room hung with portraits. The kitchen focuses on classic Italian dishes and uses produce from the estate's own gardens where possible. As of the 2026 Michelin Guide, the restaurant does not hold a Michelin star, so guests should come for the setting, the produce and the atmosphere rather than for a starred tasting menu. Breakfast and lighter meals are also served, and in-villa and garden dining can be arranged. A bar and lounge service operates within the villa, though menus and hours flex with the season and occupancy. Because the property runs seasonally and dining formats shift between summer terrace and winter library, it is worth confirming which restaurant setting and which meals are available for your specific dates before arrival, particularly around the shoulder months.

What is the spa and pool like?

Wellness at Il Salviatino centres on the grounds and an outdoor pool set within the estate's gardens, giving guests a genuine sense of space that is rare so close to Florence. The five hectares of park, olive terraces and woodland are part of the offer, suited to walks, quiet reading and sunbathing away from the crowds. The villa provides spa and treatment services, with massages and wellness treatments that can be arranged, in some cases in the privacy of a guest's own room or a dedicated space. This is a garden-and-pool retreat rather than a large thermal spa complex, so travellers expecting an extensive indoor wellness centre with multiple pools, saunas and hydrotherapy circuits should temper expectations and confirm exactly what is open. Because the hotel operates seasonally, the pool and outdoor facilities are geared to the warmer months, and availability of specific treatments or areas can vary with the calendar and occupancy. Guests for whom a spa day or heated indoor pool is central to the trip should verify the current facilities and treatment menu with the hotel before booking, as the emphasis here is firmly on the setting, the fresh air and the views.

Where is Il Salviatino, and how do you get there?

Il Salviatino stands on the hillside at Fiesole, immediately above Florence, at Via del Salviatino 21. The location is the whole proposition and its main compromise. On the plus side, guests get elevation, greenery, cleaner air and long views over the valley towards the city, a world away from the busy centre. On the minus side, this is not a walk-to-the-Uffizi address. Reaching the historic core means a drive of roughly fifteen minutes in normal traffic, or use of the hotel's transfer arrangements, and returning late at night requires planning. Fiesole itself is a pleasant Tuscan town with its own Roman ruins, churches and views, worth exploring on foot. For travellers with a car, or those content to rely on taxis and hotel shuttles, the trade is often worth it: you get resort-like calm within striking distance of a great city. For anyone who wants to step out of the lobby straight into Renaissance streets, museums and shopping, a central Florence hotel will suit better. Decide which experience you want before booking, because the setting that makes Il Salviatino special is also what puts it at a remove from the sights.

What do guests consistently say?

Guests consistently praise the setting, the sense of escape and the personal service, with the villa's atmosphere, gardens and views over Florence drawing the warmest comments. Many highlight staff who remember names and preferences, the quiet, and the pleasure of returning to a hilltop retreat after a day in the city. The terrace dining and the pool tend to feature in positive reviews, and the property photographs beautifully, which sets high expectations. On the other side, the recurring caution is the location: visitors who underestimate the distance from the centre can find the reliance on cars, taxis or shuttles tiring, especially in the evenings. Because the building is historic and rooms vary, occasional comments mention smaller entry rooms or quirks that do not match the grandeur of the public spaces or the suites. As a five-star villa the pricing is high, so some reviewers weigh the experience against the cost and the transport overhead. The seasonal operation also means the property is simply not available at some times of year, which can frustrate travellers who discover this late. Overall sentiment is strongly positive from guests who want a peaceful, scenic base and who plan around the out-of-town position.

Honest cons: who should skip it?

The clearest drawback is distance from central Florence: this is a Fiesole hillside villa, not a city-centre hotel, so sightseeing means a drive, a taxi or the hotel shuttle every time, and late returns need planning. The seasonal operation is the second major caveat. The hotel does not trade year-round and typically closes in the winter months, so anyone hoping to visit around that period must confirm exact opening dates before committing, and cannot assume availability. Being a historic building, rooms vary widely in size, shape and light, and the simplest categories can feel modest next to the grand salons and top suites, so choosing the right room matters. Wellness is garden-and-pool led rather than a full spa complex, and the pool is oriented to warmer weather, which may disappoint travellers wanting extensive indoor facilities. The restaurant is atmospheric but does not hold a Michelin star, so this is not the address for a starred tasting-menu trip. Finally, five-star villa pricing sits at the higher end, and when you add transport costs and the seasonal constraint, the total can climb. None of these are flaws in execution so much as consequences of what the property is.