Review: Villa La Massa, Florence

_Location: On a peaceful stretch of the Arno river, just four miles from central Florence. Despite its close proximity to the city, the property feels every ounce the large country estate. Florence airport can be reached in 25 minutes.

_{First impressions:} The transition from the heart of Florence to the bucolic surrounds of Villa La Massa is so swift, I find it hard to believe we’ve reached our new home-from-home so soon.

One minute you’re driving through the suburbs of Florence, the next you’re pulling into the driveway of this stunning estate, complete with manicured gardens. Inside, the decor is grand, opulent and, in some places, a little dated for my personal style.

_{The facts:} This Medici villa dates back to the 13th century and was originally a country home for an aristocratic Florentine family. It was transformed into a hotel in 1948 and retains much of its historic charm and splendour.

Now a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the property is a gem in the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by vineyards, and olive and cypress trees. The hotel has 51 rooms – all of which are unique – divided between five buildings: The Noble Villa, The Mill, Villino, Casa Colonica and La Limonaia.

You expect the food to be good in all Italian hotels, but here it’s utterly exquisite. The elegant Il Verrocchio has a terrace overlooking the Arno, and is the perfect spot for breakfast and dinner.

I’d recommend L'Oliveto Bistrot for a lunch, which proudly claims to serve “zero-km” dishes, with ingredients sourced from the local area. The spa boasts a Turkish bath, sauna, Roman pool with hydro-massage, sensory showers and two suites for massages and facials. There is also a heated outdoor pool.

_{Ideal for:} Clients who prefer charming old-style decor, with efficient yet kind service. There’s also plenty of activities for kids, such as pizza-making and painting classes, plus interconnecting rooms for bigger groups or families.

_Explore: The property runs complimentary shuttles into Florence city centre, making Villa La Massa the perfect base for sightseeing. Also recommend clients book wine-tasting trips with a private driver – it would be amiss not to sample some of the local produce. The Chianti region was certainly calling my name during my stay! The hotel is also a great springboard for a Tuscan odyssey, so recommend clients head on to Siena, San Gimignano and beyond.

_Wow: The peaceful nature of Villa La Massa struck me from the moment I arrived. The staff have created an atmosphere that really does ensure the property feels like a home-from-home, albeit in my case, much grander than my London abode.

_{Book it:} A night at Villa La Massa leads in at €520 for a Double Deluxe Room including breakfast. The price includes VAT and service but not the city tax.
villalamassa.com