Drenched in daylight from sunrise to sunset, the Michelangelo Suite stretches the whole length of the façade of the Villa San Michele and has a distinguished history.

Once the monastery library, it has also served as Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's headquarters in Florence. Today the huge, canopied, king-size bed and magnificent decorations remain fit for an emperor.

The Villa's largest and most romantic accommodation, the spacious open-plan sleeping and sitting areas have two windows in one wall and an even larger one on the other, which looks over Florence, the Arno Valley and the Chianti hills.

A large fireplace dominates one of the walls, its stone mantelpiece a glory of carved craftsmanship. The suite itself is furnished with works of art, from a splendid fruit-wood armadio to a carved walnut centre table and precious carpets from Persia.

The bathroom contains a pool-like bathtub, a delight to bathe in, and features a separate shower.