Villa La Massa Florence

Built in the 13th century as an enchanting country house for an aristocratic Florentine family, Villa La Massa was the property of eminent European aristocrats until 1948, when it was ultimately transformed into a luxury hotel.

After a complete renovation, it reopened and its hundred-year-old history live on, with every nook telling us tales of Renaissance splendor and the lifestyle of Florentine aristocrats. A member of The Leading Hotels of The World, Villa La Massa has been part of Villa d’Este Group since 1998.

Majestically sitting on the banks of the Arno River, in the heart of Chianti wine region, Villa La Massa is just a few kilometers (15 minutes by car) from Florence’s city center. This five-star hotel, an architectural gem of the Medicean era, is a world away, an oasis of peace and serenity immersed in a 25-acre park.

The Tuscan countryside extends all around as far as the eye can see: olive trees, vineyards and cypresses fill the landscape with their unique colors and scents.

Villa La Massa features 51 rooms, each distinct and uniquely designed, divided into 5 classical Tuscan-style buildings: Noble Villa, The Mill, Villino, Casa Colonica and La Limonaia (completely renewed and launched in 2019).

The elegant restaurant “Il Verrocchio” is the only one in Florence with a magnificent terrace overlooking the Arno River. It is perfect for having breakfast and al fresco dining, surrounded by the Tuscan countryside.

“Il Verrocchio” offers gourmet dishes from the Italian and Mediterranean tradition paired with exceptional wines. Lunch is served at the brand new “L’Oliveto” Bistrot where Guests can enjoy traditional Tuscan and zero-km dishes in a more informal atmosphere by the pool.

The Medicean Bar, with its 19th-century frescos, is the ideal place for sipping an aperitif or one of the signature cocktails prepared with the exclusive liqueurs by Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.

At the new Pool Bar, Guests can relax while enjoying fresh beverages, cocktails and snacks. The 15th-century wine cellar stores the finest Tuscan wines and is the perfect location for wine tastings and private events.

The calm running waters of the Arno River, the charming melody of the birdsong, the fragrances expanding from the olive groves, lemon trees and endless vineyards make the experience at Villa La Massa truly magical.

Total relaxation is ensured at the Arno SPA: Turkish bath, sauna, Roman pool with hydro-massage, sensory showers, 2 SPA suites for massages and facials.

For more active guests: outdoor heated swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, space for yoga and floor exercises, jogging tracks, bikes, Tennis Club (0,3 miles from the hotel), horseback riding (3 miles), Golf Club Ugolino (6 miles).

THE PARK
Villa La Massa is surrounded by 25 acres of gardens, where blue agapanthuses and cream-colored peonies enliven the brilliant green lawn and where every path leads to the river. The Tuscan countryside extends as far as the eye can see; olive trees, vineyards, cypresses fill the landscape with their unique colors and scents.

THE IRIS GARDEN
In the park of Villa La Massa, the Iris Garden celebrates the floral symbol of Florence and – more widely – Tuscany.

Along picturesque paths, the collection of high, medium and small irises with their yellow, white and blue shades overlooks the Arno river like a scenic painting. A truly quiet and inspiring place, which invites guests to linger and enjoy the wonder of nature.

THE CHEF’S GARDEN
In the Chef’s Garden, the Chef of Villa La Massa lovingly grows his own seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs and harvests them daily to prepare delicious dishes.

Guests are invited to accompany the Chef and handpick the garden products for our exclusive cooking classes, where it is also possible to taste wines from the Chianti-Rufina region as well as the precious oil produced from the olive groves of Villa La Massa.

ROOMS & SUITES
Villa La Massa features 51 luxury rooms, all different from one another and divided into 5 classical Tuscan-style buildings: the Noble Villa, the Villino, The Mill, Casa Colonica and La Limonaia (completely renewed and launched in 2019).

The décor of the Noble Villa, the Villino and The Mill evokes the Renaissance atmosphere: canopy beds, elegant fabrics, boiseries, frescoed ceilings, tapestries, refined marble bathrooms. Each room is a perfect combination of classic sophistication and warm elegance with all the modern comforts.

Casa Colonica and La Limonaia are both completely restored and refurbished, the style is typically Tuscan, in harmony with the atmosphere of Villa La Massa, but with a luxurious and more contemporary touch.

The furniture and the various interior details, such as lamps and pictures, were masterfully designed by local craftsmen. The colors are earthy with bright dashes, giving the atmosphere a lively and fresh touch.

Each room offers wonderful views of the park, the Chianti hills or the Arno river; fairytale-inspired surroundings allowing guests to immerse themselves in peaceful relaxation and romanticism.

PRIVATE VILLAS
The Villino, the most intimate building and the most recently built (early 20th century) offers luxurious and romantic spaces. A few steps from the hotel’s olive grove and blooming Iris Garden, it absorbs the amber light of the Tuscan countryside.

The Villino can be rented in its entirety and is comprised of 7 rooms: 1 Double Deluxe, 2 Junior Suite Top, 1 Suite, 2 Suite Exclusive and the Arno Suite with its breathtaking terrace facing the river.

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
The Presidential Suite is located in the Villino, Villa La Massa’s most intimate and recently constructed building (early 20th Century). The Presidential Suite consists of the Arno Suite and a Junior Suite Top (904 sf + 538 sf).

The spaces are elegant and respect the style of the Florentine aristocracy’s historical dwellings whilst providing every modern comfort: large bedrooms, elegant marble bathrooms, a stately living room with a majestic stone fireplace, terracotta floors and large windows opening onto the garden.

The sizable private garden and terrace overlook the Arno river and are 2.906 sf wide. This is the ideal place for romantic moonlit dinners in the enchanting atmosphere of the Tuscan countryside.

CASA COLONICA
Is an ancient farmhouse (approx. 600 sq mt/6500 sq ft) which dates back to the mid 1800’s and is located at the entrance of Villa La Massa.

Completely renovated in 2018, Casa Colonica features 4 new Suites (including a Junior Suite), each with private bathrooms and walk-in closets. The building’s renovated kitchen can be used by guests both on an individual as well as an exclusive basis.

The Suite and Junior Suite on the ground floor may be connected and share a small garden. The charming internal courtyard is appointed with wrought-iron chairs and surrounded by the aroma of fresh jasmine; it is the ideal place to relax with a book or spend time with loved ones.

The décor is classically Tuscan, which also characterizes the entire Villa La Massa: the discerning use of terracotta, stone, wrought iron and wood perfectly matches with the warm earth tones, transforming Casa Colonica into a luxurious and chic country house.

During the renovation, an ancient oven dating back to the 1500s and used for making bread was surprisingly found. Casa Colonica, as well as The Villino, is ideal for hosting family and friends and may be rented in its entirety to guarantee full privacy to its guests.

IL VERROCCHIO RESTAURANT
Our exclusive restaurant “Il Verrocchio” is the only one in Florence with a wonderful terrace directly overlooking the Arno River, perfect for breakfast and al fresco dining. In the hall, magnificent windows face a panorama of rare beauty on the Tuscan countryside.

For breakfast, Guests are offered a buffet with Tuscan specialties, bread and traditional “focaccia”, all kinds of cereals, jams, homemade cakes, fruits and seasonal juices: it is a sensorial awakening on the river’s notes.

Among the romantic restaurants in Florence, with no doubt “Il Verrocchio” deserves a special mention… In the evening, Guests may dine by candlelight, in a refined and elegant ambiance with views on the Arno River and Chianti hills.

“Il Verrocchio” offers gourmet dishes from the Italian and Mediterranean tradition, as well as Tuscan specialties…all paired with exceptional wines. A truly unforgettable culinary experience. In our restaurant Guests can request dishes for celiacs, vegetarians or vegans.

L’OLIVETO BISTROT
Overlooking the pool area is L’Oliveto bistrot, a new culinary offering for Villa La Massa, complementing the refined ambiance of the famed Il Verrocchio restaurant.

Named after surrounding olive trees, which are used to produce the hotel’s own olive oil, L’Oliveto occupies a former barn, which has been lovingly restored to offer relaxed Tuscan dining.

Guests can enjoy classic Tuscan dishes and Italian staples on the scent-filled, shaded terrace, whilst inside features reclaimed wooden beams, exposed stone walls and cool Tuscan flagstones, with the upper floor offering views of the lemon trees and green hills beyond.

A private dining room is available for intimate events. The Pool Bar is the perfect place for a cool drink and light snacks while basking under the sun by our brand new swimming pool.

MEDICEAN BAR 
Situated in the Noble Villa, the Medicean Bar offers a wide selection of “grappe” (Italian eau-de-vie), whiskeys, brandies, and cocktails. With its 19th-century frescoed ceilings, it is the ideal place for sipping an aperitif or one of our signature cocktails prepared with the exclusive liqueurs by Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.

THE WINE CELLAR
Found within The Mill, just below “Il Verrocchio” restaurant, the 15th-century Wine Cellar stores the finest labels and is the perfect location for tasting Tuscan wines paired with typical cheese and charcuterie or for hosting private dinners or wine tasting parties.

Thanks to its privileged position in the heart of the wine region of Chianti-Rufina, our Wine Cellar boasts bottles of excellent Tuscan vintages and a wide selection of refined international labels for prestigious wine tastings.

Our sommeliers will be more than glad to share with you the history and secrets of these bottles, accompanying you in an unforgettable sensorial and emotional journey.

Guests may also taste the precious oil produced from the olive trees growing in the 25-acre park of Villa La Massa. The Wine Cellar is the ideal location for exclusive lunches, parties and private events in Florence.

Moreover, Villa La Massa organizes guided tours and wine tasting experiences in the local cellars. Villa La Massa makes your stay in Florence an unforgettable experience. Immersed in the Tuscan countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can enjoy unparalleled relaxation and taste typical Tuscan specialties paired with excellent local wines.

EVENTS 
The elegance and intimacy of Villa La Massa makes it the ideal location, a few kilometers from Florence, for small and prestigious meetings or banquets. Villa La Massa offers the possibility of exclusive renting of the Hotel.

WEDDINGS IN FLORENCE
In the western part of Villa La Massa’s garden there is a small chapel with a sacristy, dating back to the days of the Rinuccini, that can hold a maximum of twenty-five people. Here it is possible to celebrate Catholic Mass and luxury Weddings in an atmosphere of great charm. A special wedding in Villa La Massa to make this important day memorable.

MEETINGS
Villa La Massa provides state-of-the-art communication and audiovisual technological equipment. All of the meeting rooms enjoy natural light.

Rooms: 51

Price: from 479 EUR per night

Source: www.villalamassa.com