Villa La Massa
Villa La Massa is located in the town of Candeli, a 15 minute drive south of Florence. The hotel offers a free shuttle from the Ponte Vecchio.
Composed of three 16th-century villas, this small hotel commands a lovely setting on a wedge of land along the flowing Arno River. Inside, restored frescoes add to the historic charm. The atrium lounge shows well-polished terra-cotta floors and lovely period appointments.
The gilded bar opens onto a side garden in summer, and the celebrated restaurant occupies its own building beyond the cloverleaf pool. Il Verrocchio boasts dramatic vaulted ceilings and copper-green accents.
Despite the lovely decor, the preferred tables take in views of the Arno from a stunning riverside terrace. Another casual venue serves light fare beside the pool.
In addition to swimming, guests have free use of mountain bikes, and the health club with its little spa and gym is a notable perk. Arrangements can be made for time on area tennis courts and rounds of golf at a nearby 18-hole course.
High ceilings and armless thrones decorate the game room, where even the game tables are vintage. Unlike many hotels of this ilk, children are well taken care of.
An 18th-century chapel provides a romantic setting for small weddings, and the largest of six small but well-equipped meeting rooms accommodates up to 100 people. Shuttle service to Florence operates every day of the week, and the helipad appeals to those wishing to make more dramatic entrances and exits.
Upstairs in the main building, the elevator deposits guests in the hallways ringing the atrium. In the individually decorated guest rooms, air-conditioning, TVs, minibars and safes are customary features, along with some updated marble baths. Robes, slippers and hair dryers are nice extras, as is nightly turndown.
In some rooms, sisal-covered floors add a handsome contemporary twist to the period decor, which includes centuries-old prints, antique furnishings and traditional lighting fixtures.
A profusion of Como silks in brilliant shades of gold, indigo and scarlet enriches the appointments. The embroidered spreads, upholstery and window treatments, all in immaculate condition, attest to the housekeepers' talents. All rooms are large, with the smallest measuring in at 300 sq m. The best rooms face the river and these are the one we recommend as the ones closest to the road can get a bit of road traffic noise at times.
Room service stops at 10 pm. Pets are not permitted. The hotel, closed December to mid-March, caters to the rich and influential and has had plenty of experience with celebrities. Travelers with children will find this to be one of the better options, with youngsters' arrivals enhanced with gifts and games, and the pint-sized robes and slippers and milk and cookies at turndown a bow to the real princes and princesses.
This property is under the same ownership as the Villa d'Este on Lake Como.
Villa La Massa is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
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