Our Story

The area of land on which the villa is situated is named San Michele, after the archangel to whom the chapel inside the villa is also devoted. The estate was purchased in the 19th century by an Italian aristocratic family, Augusto and Tereza Del Frate. The neo-Renaissance villa was completed in 1890, and a member of the family completed the frescoes with some of the female family members immortalised on the ceilings. The villa experienced its heyday in the early 20th century, becoming a favoured spot for parties and meetings and a major centre for hunting, until the original owner died in 1931.  Eventually a bank repossessed the whole property after the son of the owner fell into substantial debt. The property was then purchased by San Giorgio di Roma Bank and redeemed by Mr. Luisi a few years later. Numerous property transfers followed throughout the decades.

Toiano Vecchio is a medieval park a short walk from the central hub of Villa Lena, that was renovated in 2017. Once the site of a medieval castle, it has seen various transformations over the centuries. The original castle collapsed during a violent earthquake and the larger stones were used to build the nearby 19th-century villa. The park centres around a hill, one of the highest points in the region with a wooded walkway up to it. The park has been used for various activities over the years, from horse racing to exhibitions. It features an ancient fountain, a curious shell-clad grotto and our largest organic vegetable garden. Previous artists-in-residence and landscape designers Jocelyn Oppenheim and Kate Smaby oversaw improvements including the Sunrise and Sunset terraces that allow guests to take in the beautiful vistas. It’s the perfect spot to let dogs run or enjoy a picnic with a breathtaking view.

The park is open to the public on Sundays during designated hours, and open to the hotel guests throughout the season.