Villa Michaela (già Villa Nottolini)

Caroline Steinbeis

2025-11-27

Google

We hosted our wedding here last year. And I am torn about leaving such a low rating but feel it is useful to feed back our experience.
Villa Michaella is an extraordinary place. The Villa is so charming, the location is fantastic and the staff that made our event happen on the day were faultless. The food was good, the help was excellent and we had a wonderful time. Yes, the house has an old world charm and may feel a little antiquated, but we loved the feel of it, and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that the building exuded.

BUT the lead up to the big day was extremely difficult. Planning was nigh on impossible.
And the main reason for this is that sadly the owner of the property is in no fit state to run the organisation.
The owner desperately needs someone to help her with contracts and communication. We had UK based wedding planners who wanted to make sure things were organised ahead of time to avoid any unwanted surprises on the day. Their questions were mostly met with an eye roll and curt messages that would rarely yield the answers we needed. On several occasions the owner accidentally wrote very negatively about us on a joint whatsapp chat, for which there was never an apology. Any detailed questions about budget were dismissed and we were left keeping all fingers and toes crossed that this wedding would work out.

I felt inclined to find a new venue on numerous occasions.

After the event, the owner attempted to spring extra costs on us (corkage fee had never been mentioned) and then suggested that most people who celebrated at the Villa had no problem paying up. Neither did we, but transparency on all costs should really be a given.

This place is held up by a fantastically loyal team of people who go the extra mile to make sure everything runs on the day. The owner is lucky to have them!

We are very happy that the wedding worked out as well as it did, but the preamble was much more stressful than it needed to be. I recommend that the owner hands over the running of these events to someone who enjoys it and does the job well.

Joanna Hedley

2025-10-06

Google

My favorite place to visit in all of Italy, we have been returning each year and love it more each time. Beautiful orignal Tuscan villa wonderfully restored surrounded by olive groves in a charming village 10 minutes from Lucca.

Stephen Kelly

2025-09-23

Google

Just amazing. Was here for a wedding and was made feel like it was our home for the weekend. Gorgeous.

Conor Sweeney

2025-09-22

Google

Stayed for a 3-day wedding and we had a fabulous time. A wonderful old house with a laidback approach in a great setting.

Freddie Pezzella

2025-06-07

Google

We were there for a May wedding, Staff were incredible and so was the food from chef gavin. Emily the host was accomodating and worked very hard to ensure everything went smoothly. The venue speaks for itself

Matita Sfumata

2023-07-23

Google

Assolutamente non consiglio. All'arrivo nessuna reception o personale ad accoglierci, dopo aver passato una mezz'ora per capire dove poter parcheggiare abbiamo trovato le persone dello staff ma non parlavano bene l'italiano e nemmeno l'inglese. La location e' molto bella ma totalmente trascurata e sporca:
vicino alla piscina c'erano cartacce e bottiglie di plastica per terra. Il bagno comune della stanza non è stato pulito e mancava sempre la carta igienica nei giorni di nostra permanenza e le stanze odoravano di muffa. Assolutamente non vale il caro prezzo che abbiamo pagato.

X8844OXkated

2022-10-29

Tripadvisor

What a wonderful historic setting Villa Michaela is! Historic, but also comfortably appointed. We were 19 from the Furniture History Society, an international group, studying Lucchese furniture in the beautiful villas of the area’s countryside, as well as the private palaces in the ancient walled city of Lucca. ||We loved breakfasts in the Villa’s kitchen with its long table. Vanessa Rhode, owner of Villa Michaela laid on a delicious dinner in her formal dining room - a definite weekend highlight. ||We could not have had a warmer welcome from Vanessa and her helpful staff. ||Villa Michaela is a perfect base for group visits to the surrounding area.

Raja Palaniappan

2022-10-22

Google

Amazing place! We came here for a corporate retreat with my startup, and it was perfect. We were a group of 26 and incredibly well looked after. The place is stunning - nestled in the hills just outside of Lucca, it has beautiful views across the valley, all the rooms are of a great size, and the property has plenty of fun activities including a tennis court, huge swimming pool, fire pit, pizza oven, and more. Every morning kicked off with either a run up the hill, tennis, yoga, or a dip in the pool, before we diving into the day's discussions and team building activities. Evenings were spent either having dinner at the villa or at one of the lovely restaurants a short walk away in the village. The team went home at the end of the week totally refreshed and much closer together. Would highly recommend a company retreat here!

Donna Paruo

2022-10-09

Google

I was with a large group for a party. I believe we filled the entire Villa. My friend and I were give the stable house. It was awful. There were cobwebs everywhere, a spider the size of my fist in the sink, the shower head fell off during our first shower and there was no hot water the entire visit in our place. The property is beautiful but they need to do some work on the room the put us is or close it

Hannah Lewis

2022-08-02

Google

We had such a wonderful experience. We stayed as a large group (7 kids & 7 adults). Vanessa and her team were fantastic, everyone was so friendly & accommodating. We particularly enjoyed the large group dinners in the dining room, the cooking lessons, hours by the pool and the gorgeous rooms. Will definitely stay again.

g0rd0n250

2022-06-23

Tripadvisor

Beautiful villa quietly located just a few minutes from Luca and about half an hour from Pisa airport. The welcome from the owner and her team was as warm as the weather. The villa itself has been beautifully appointed and there is a wonderful swimming pool. Whilst it was an ideal spot for a quiet break I suspect it really comes into its own when it is filled for a family gathering or wedding. Nearby are some excellent places to eat without having to travel - the local pizzeria is only five minutes walk and is outstanding if you don’t want to drive.

claudia morelli

2022-03-06

Google

La villa è molto grande e affascinante, sembra di entrare in un'altra epoca storica. Ci sono molti ambienti da visitare o da vivere. È un luogo particolare e accogliente con tanti spazi all'esterno e all'interno. La signora Lai è stata sempre disponibile e gentile.

W2764GVgiusepper

2021-08-05

Tripadvisor

Location strepitosa, servizio pessimo. Ci avevano assegnato una matrimoniale all’ultimo piano del corpo centrale che mancava perfino di armadio per i vestiti. Oltre alla trasandatezza e la scarsa igiene degli arredi. Dopo molte insistenze passiamo in altra camera decisamente migliore ma mancante di bidet. Colazione accettabile. Non rifanno i letti e non cambiano asciugamani per bagno. Peccato. Il posto è invidiabile. Evidentemente c’è chi si accontenta di questo. Io no. E lo sconsiglio vivamente

T6149NKvictoriaa

2020-08-10

Tripadvisor

The villa is so beautiful so chic , the atmosphere was more beautiful than anywhere else in the world having dinner under the stars with Lemmon trees by candle light I’ve rarely seen such at atmosphere ! The staff are charming and friendly and the beds are extremely comfortable I slept so well. The area is full of beautiful walks and good restaurants . The beaches so close not to mention the historical Tuscan cities a close drive away. The air was cool and fresh due to the slight mountain breeze while the rest of Tuscany the heat was too much. The pool one of the most famous in Europe . Highly recommended.

carolinapalermos

2019-04-29

Tripadvisor

I was invited, by a friend to join her at Villa Michaela, in Vorno near Lucca,for this past Easter holiday. Our rooms in the main house had the charming names of ‘Verdi’ and ‘Camalia’ flanking one side of a huge piano filled sitting room. In the morning you could hear the doves cooing and in the evening, the song of church bells. Our king sized beds were divine, comfy and beautifully made up. The gardens were in full bloom with red camellias, yellow roses and a peak display of fragrant wisteria.|This week long stay was what Tuscan dreams are made of, encouraging one to water color or write prose. Too cold to swim but perfect for a hike up the hill through the olive groves.|So many beautiful pictures on the walls, mirrors, side boards and porcelains to live with. I am looking forward to my next trip, hoping to ride bicycles around Lucca again and to have more fabulous dining pleasures in the villa’s gardens.

AneiraRM

2019-01-30

Tripadvisor

Villa Michaela is beautiful. The sort of idyllic hideaway that you hope and dream exists, but that you never chance to stumble upon unless you are in the know. I was lucky enough to experience its wonders for a friend's birthday and I can honestly say that it is the most beautiful and magical place I have ever stayed in - it has traditional frescoes decorating its walls, a chapel, a dining room of epic proportions complete with elegant chandeliers, and all sorts of curiosities and art to peruse, if that sort of pastime appeals to you (as it does to me). ||Wandering the villa makes you simultaneously feel as if you have stepped back into the past and onto a film set. It really is all that. We were lucky enough to have delicious meals both at the villa and at the local restaurant in the village, and to spend a day in Lucca, which is a short drive away. ||It is an epic location for a party, holiday, wedding, any sort of special event or getaway, and what makes it so refreshing is that it is full of character and original features. Such things cannot be easily replicated or found in a world of sterile hotel chains and monotony. What's more, it is great to know that the places of dreams can exist!||Everyone at the villa was amazing, and helped to make the stay as special as it was, so thank you Villa Michaela and all for a truly wonderful time!

Ollywol

2019-01-30

Tripadvisor

Had the pleasure of returning to Villa Michaela a few weekends ago for a birthday party. Could not speak more highly of the place!! ||||Beautiful building and stunning grounds in a sleepy Tuscan village - excellent restaurants a stone’s throw away. Our room was plush - gigantic comfortable bed with a beautiful view of the valley that stretches out to the city of Lucca. We were only a short drive into town even though the peace and quiet in the mornings couldn’t feel more remote!! ||||Only problem is that we couldn’t stay for longer!!! Can’t wait to come back!!!

rajap1986

2019-01-30

Tripadvisor

Villa Michaela is a stunning example of the type of villas that dot the countryside around Tuscany. The house itself has a grand charm, nestled in the hills behind the church in Vorno village. The pictures don't do the area justice - the grounds are verdant, the pool is refreshing, and the Villa fits seamlessly into its surroundings. I stayed with my girlfriend and a group of friends for her birthday, and we couldn't have had a better time. Each room is unique, from the luxurious Dante suite with its giant bath and huge windows, to the lovely coach house. The village is sweet and quiet with a great restaurant just around the corner, but is well situated for some gorgeous walks, with a few more options ~20 minutes away. The hike up to the observatory and into the forest is breathtaking...coming from London it's so great to get some clean, fresh air. You can extend it into a 1.5 hour hike that takes you all the way back to the back garden of the house by the tennis courts. Lucca is a short drive away (~15 min) and is one of the loveliest little towns in Tuscany. The Villa itself can accommodate groups, and I think this is really where it comes into its own. For a weekend away with friends, we had such a great time eating delicious food, exploring the local area, having a wonderful catered dinner organised by the host, singing in the chapel, and just having the best time. If this sounds like your type of holiday, I would definitely recommend it.

Marta-Franci

2016-10-31

Tripadvisor

La villa è stupenda, basta guardare qualche foto sul loro sito per rendersene conto e di per sè varrebbe i 180 € che abbiamo speso per una notte.||Ma la gestione purtroppo è pessima, degna del peggiore ostello: buchi nelle lenzuola, insetti nel letto, ragnatele in camera, un solo ragazzo a gestire gli ospiti e non parla una parola di italiano. Ciliegina sulla torta: colazione praticamente inesistente: siamo scesi alle 9.30, in pieno orario da colazione, e non solo non c'era più nulla, ma anche dopo il nostro arrivo non ci è stato portato nulla, solo del succo perché è stato richiesto da noi e delle brioches scongelate al momento su nostra richiesta dallo stesso ragazzo americano visibilmente scocciato dalla nostra presenza.||Un vero peccato che una meraviglia simile sia gestita in questa maniera. Nonostante sia il posto più bello in cui abbia mai soggiornato non ci tornerei e non lo consiglierei a nessuno.

Jorge99

2016-08-23

Tripadvisor

Precioso alojamiento para sentirse como de una familia Toscana. Las suites son increíbles. El entorno de la piscina perfecto. Como cosa a mejorar sería tener algo más de atención de personal, disponer de alguna bebida y la limpieza