Villa La Massa, Florence

Set on the banks of the river Arno, in the Florentine countryside, next to the Chianti Classico, Gallo Nero and Rufina regions, only 5 miles from the historic centre of Florence. This Medici Villa, built in the 16th century by the Landini family, has been home to several aristocratic Italian, English and Russian families. Villa La Massa was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1948 and since then many famous guests have enjoyed a stay there (Winston Churchill, Elisabeth Taylor, Richard Burton..); more recently David Bowie and Iman took over the Villa for their wedding. Since the VILLA D'ESTE Group purchased the hotel in 1999, the whole property has been completely restored adding new lustre to the splendid old mansion.

Villa La Massa provided us with the best of both worlds. We would explore the treasures of Florence by day (thanks to a complimentary shuttle from the hotel) and return to our Tuscan villa on the Arno River in the evening. Here, I was transported to the days of the Medici as I strolled through the centuries-old olive grove, past a romantic chapel and next to a garden that supplies many of the ingredients for the haute-cuisine restaurant. If you're feeling active, ask for a complimentary bicycle and enjoy a ride into the surrounding Chianti countryside.

Set on the banks of the river Arno, in the Florentine countryside, next to the Chianti Classico, Gallo Nero and Rufina regions, only 5 miles from the historic centre of Florence. This Medici Villa, built in the 16th century by the Landini family, has been home to several aristocratic Italian, English and Russian families. Villa La Massa was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1948 and since then many famous guests have enjoyed a stay there (Winston Churchill, Elisabeth Taylor, Richard Burton..); more recently David Bowie and Iman took over the Villa for their wedding. Since the VILLA D'ESTE Group purchased the hotel in 1999, the whole property has been completely restored adding new lustre to the splendid old mansion.

Access:

• By car- Motorway A1 (Roma/Milano), exit Firenze Sud and follow the signs to Bagno a Ripoli-Pontassieve; once in Candeli, turn left at the traffic light and take Via della Massa. By train- Santa Maria Novella, Firenze Railway Station, only 15 minutes away by car.
• By plane- Vespucci airport (Firenze-Peretola) approx 30 minutes by car. Pisa Airport is 55 miles away, Milano Malpensa is 210 miles away and Roma Fiumicino is 170 miles away.
• By boat- Livorno harbour is 60 miles away.
• Private transfer and limousine service available on request.

Accommodation: 35 rooms including doubles/twins, junior suites and suites.

The rooms are decorated in the Renaissance style and feature antique furniture, four-poster beds and buffed terracotta tiles, typical of the Medici Period. Breathtaking view on the Tuscan countryside or the River Arno. Spacious marble bathrooms, air-conditioning, colour Satellite TV, movies on demand, high-speed internet connection, minibar, safe and direct dial phone.

• Check-in time: 2 p.m.
• Check-out: Noon time.

Guest Services: complimentary daily shuttle service to/from Ponte Vecchio from 9am to 7.00pm. Private car parking. Laundry service and dry cleaning 6 days a week, from Monday through Saturday, ironing 7 days a week. Room Service from 7:00 am to 11 pm. Helipad. 24 hour concierge providing baby-sitting, car-hire, limousine service, hotel & restaurant reservations, tickets for theatres and museums, guided tours of Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, excursions along the Chianti region and visit to wineries, olive-oil farms, villas and castles (Volterra, Colle Val d'Elsa, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni).

Sport & Leisure: Brand new Fitness Centre located in the Noble Villa featuring state-of-the-art equipment; treatment room for a wide range of massages, outdoor heated swimming pool (May/Sept), mountain bikes, horseback riding (3 miles away), tennis club offering 16 clay and synthetic courts (walking distance), the Ugolino Golf Club (6 miles away).

Dining & Drinks:

• "Il Verrocchio" is the only restaurant in the Florentine area offering a terrace overlooking the Arno river. Italian menu and typical dishes from the Tuscan culinary tradition. Wide wine list including over 250 labels.
• Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The "Bar Mediceo" serves drinks, cocktails and snacks until midnight. In summer you can enjoy drinks and snacks around the pool.

Specials: banquets, cocktail and wedding parties for up to 100 people can be held either in the "Limonaia" room or by the pool.

Private chapel for weddings.

• Number of Rooms: 37
• Children's Programs: No
• Private Club/Floor: No

Seasonal Closures:

• Jan 01, 2007 - Mar 14, 2007
• Nov 18, 2007 - Dec 31, 2007
• Jan 01, 2008 - Mar 05, 2008
• Nov 17, 2008 - Dec 31, 2008
• Renovations during winter closure.

Virtuoso Amenities

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• One book about Florence
• Welcome arrival transfer pick up with Mercedes car from Florence, Amerigo Vespucci Airport or Santa Maria Novella Railway Station
• Breakfast included in room rates
• 4 pm late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary parking for duration of stay

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