Castello di Casole d'Elsa (Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany) Tosca…read more We visited Castello di Casole d'Elsa for dinner. It is an extraordinary retreat where history, landscape, and luxury come together in a way that feels almost cinematic. Castello is atop a hill in the Tuscan countryside, the property occupies a restored 10th‑century castle within a large 4,200‑acre estate of vineyards, olive groves, forests, and fields. From the moment you arrive via a winding, cypress-lined road, it feels as though you've stepped into another era (as if driving through a forest). The setting alone is breathtaking, with sweeping views of rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see. The atmosphere is one of timeless, laid-back elegance. Despite its large scale, the estate feels peaceful and secluded, offering a true escape from daily life. The historic architecture such as stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and rustic details has been meticulously preserved, while contemporary design elements ensure comfort never feels compromised. One of the hotel's strongest aspects is how seamlessly it integrates with its surroundings. The estate is actively lived in, with agriculture, local production, and outdoor experiences shaping the guest experience. Dining at Tosca ristorante at Castello di Casole was a highpoint. The restaurant highlights traditional Tuscan cuisine, using ingredients grown directly on the estate...olive oil, wine, and seasonal produce. The food was exceptional, with a focus on authenticity and quality. We sampled items like baby squid, bread and oil, tortelli, and seabed amberjack. Service was one of the defining features of the hotel. Our servers were attentive, professional, and personable Memorable meal... Castello di Casole d'Elsa is a nice anniversary splurge that captures the essence of Tuscany in both style and substance. With its extraordinary setting, refined design, and outstanding service, it offers a deeply memorable visit that feels authentic. An immersive Tuscan escape...ideal for travelers seeking tranquility and a truly elevated countryside experience.

We had the most amazing stay!!! Every single staff member was wonderful. We ate most of our meals…read moreon the premises, and our meals were excellent! Even our driver Marian, our driver for two days, was unbelievable. All of the places he suggested to us were perfect for our group. He was on time and went above and beyond in every way. I would highly recommend Castello Di Casole. You will not be disappointed!!!!

Ristorante Bel Soggiorno feels like a natural stop in San Gimignano. It is located along the town's…read morenarrow stone streets, the restaurant opens into a warm, elegant space with terracotta floors, wooden beams, and a relaxed atmosphere that reflects its long history. What truly sets it apart is the view. From the terrace and dining room windows, the Tuscan countryside stretches across rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves, turning the meal into something memorable. The menu focuses on classic Tuscan dishes...handmade pastas, rich ragùs, roasted meats, and seasonal ingredients...prepared with simplicity and care. The atmosphere is refined yet informal, with attentive service and an unhurried pace that encourages you to linger. Bel Soggiorno focuses on good food, spectacular scenery, and the kind of dining experience that makes Tuscany feel exactly the way you imagined it would.

Ambiance is great, food and service mediocre. Very salty and heavy on sauce. We did not have…read morereservations. Not sure if that had any influenced?

I stayed at four different hotels while traveling in Italy, and it's safe to say that Locanda Le…read morePiazze was the best hotel out of the bunch. There's a lot to say, so I'll try to break it up. Loction: Tuscany is overwhelming, but the hotel's location in Chianti is prime. You are only a 10-15 minute ride from Catellina which is a beautiful village with lots of restaurants and shops. You are also the same distance from several wineries. None are walkable, but because everything is so spread out that's probably tough to find anywhere. The hotel does have bikes, but just a warning that it's very tough to bike because of all the hills. Food & Drink: What you don't need to walk very far for is excellent food and drink. Breakfast is included in your stay and the spread is delicious. Lots of hot and cold options including eggs and bacon, meats and cheeses, fruits, pastries and oatmeal. There is also an incredible restaurant on the property (more on that in another review). It was so good that we ended up eating dinner there two out of three nights. Oh, and let's not forget the honors bar. The hotel has a few honors style bars set up throughout the property. Drawers and fridges full of every kind of wine, beer and liquor. Plus fixings to make cocktails and spritzes. All you'll need to do is write down how many you have and your room will be charged. The Grounds / Interiors: This is the best part about Locanda. The grounds are gorgeous. The rooms are impeccable. Every single inch of the space is thoughtfully designed, modern and perfect. Outside you'll find fresh plants and herbs, rolling hills and vineyards and the most gorgeous pool smack dab in the middle of it all. If we didn't have plans to hit wineries I honestly could have sat at that pool all day. Each day we got back to the hotel in the afternoon and spent hours relaxing and taking in the views. The rooms and all other interior space have the most whimsical decor -- I was a big fan of the dream catchers and artwork. Service: The service was on point the entire time. They really do their best to make you feel comfortable and like you are staying with family. At one point one of the groundskeepers was picking fresh figs and she even brought a bundle over to us straight from the tree. I can only dream about returning to this hotel again one day. If I ever find myself in Tuscany you can bet that this is where I'll stay.

Nikki P's review below is spot on. We left Locanda's remote, quiet spot today and were sad to do…read moreso. The location, facility, and staff are so warm and welcoming. The chef and restaurant provides 5 star meals, with flavors that were appreciated and enjoyed, immensely. We stayed in the "honeymoon" tower....it's work with the stairs, but worth every step. All in all, a beautiful and one of our favorite experiences. We will definitely be back! Thank you to all at Locanda!

Superb hotel in Siena. Staff was superb. Location is right at the edge of the walled city, so close…read moreto the sites but quiet. Our room overlooked to courtyard in the back, with long range Tuscan views over the wall. Breakfast was wonderful. Rooms are spacious and the beds are great. Happy to stay again when we return to Siena.

This hotel is great! The room was spacious and overlooked their beautiful garden. It was very clean…read moreand well kept. My wife and I stayed for three nights while in Siena. They had a lovely continental breakfast every morning, which we ate in the garden overlooking the incredible view and hillside of the Tuscan landscape. I highly recommend this hotel over something that lacks the views.

The best hotel I've ever stayed in. Period. My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon and hardly a…read moreday goes by when I don't think about it. The grounds are beautiful, our room was enormous and the staff paid attention to every detail during our stay. My wife and I just renovated our house and we put in a pool and landscaping that borrows from the aesthetic of Castello del Nero's pool area. We are already planning to return for my 40th birthday...3 Years from now. We spent 3 weeks in Italy at 6 different hotels and this is the only one I think about and have to return to. The restaurants are both amazing and the breakfast is the best we had on our trip. If I could give 10 stars I would, so if you're even considering a stay at Castello del Nero I'd say look no further...it's time to book a reservation.

My husband and I stayed here 4 nights of a two-week trip to Italy to celebrate our 10 year wedding…read moreanniversary. This hotel is a really high-end boutique hotel that really goes above and beyond to deliver an outstanding experience for all guests. The hotel is conveniently located in a small town about 30-40 minutes by car from Florence (between Florence and Siena). It is in the Chianti wine region of Tuscany. We stayed in a basic room, which was very nice. It was very large (one of the largest hotel rooms I have ever stayed in that wasn't a suite). There was a welcome bottle of champagne (already chilled for us) as well as a bottle of red wine and a huge basket of fresh fruit ready for us on our coffee table. There was a hand-written note to us that was a nice personal touch. The room had a beautiful view of the Tuscan countryside. The things that really stood out to me were: 1. Complimentary welcome champagne and wine 2. Abundant fruit basket that got replenished daily. 3. Complimentary bottled still and sparkling water replenished daily. 4. A pillow menu for guests! 5. Full breakfast every morning included with the room - there were 10 different kinds of milk out to suit everyone's preference (almond, soy, rice, goat, etc.) 5. The very nice spa 6. The setting of course! You literally couldn't ask for a more picturesque place! 7. Complimentary up to date movies on your TV 8. Great hiking trails right on the property My only (very small) complaints are that there was no dresser or shelves in the room - I had nowhere to unpack any of my folded clothes (there is only hanging space in the closet), and the mattress is very firm (this is just a personal issue though!). This hotel is very special and truly understands how to deliver a higher than 5-star experience to guests. I would highly recommend it for honeymooners, or anyone wanting a relaxing getaway in a beautiful place!

Quiet little hotel outside the old city with fantastic views is the city. It's been recently…read moreremodeled and the rooms are spacious and clean. It's not a modern hotel, so keep that in mind, but for something out of Florence, it's been a welcome change. Beds and staff are both great.

This hotel is in a beautiful medieval area of Siena. I loved walking through the streets of colle…read moredi val d'elsa. It's so old and charming with views of the green hills all around. I almost wish the inside of the hotel had a more quaint feeling. It has obviously been remodeled but I feel it's missing the charm and special little beauty that the town has. The room was nice and the breakfast that the hotel serves was great. A nice selection and good way to start the day. We had asked about a place one night to grab a late night dinner and was sent to a place in town that was closed, but we ended up finding a cute little area that had a chocolate shop and a couple restaurants: gelaterias. We stayed here for two nights while we explored the area during the day. Drove to Montepulciano, Chianti, and Siena. I enjoyed the view from the window which opened out and I could see the Tuscan sunset.

Temporarily closed for renovations!!!!!! Call first…read more Scheduled to reopen sometime in 2024. It was beautiful before, so I'm sure it will be again. Tasting room available in Piazza of Greve.

One of the oldest (and most beautiful) vineyards in Italy. We did not stay in the Villa, but we did…read morecome here for lunch, as well as took a wine tour with a tasting. We had heard great reviews about the restaurant- and we were able to get in the same day for lunch, despite no reservations. I ordered the homemade tagliatelle with beef ragu- the noodles were fresh and cooked to perfection, the beef ragu sauce had a good amount of meat, and was very flavorful. The best part about the restaurant is how FRESH everything is- you sit next to a garden and will actually see the chef go down and pick out fresh basil, kale, etc. for dishes on the menu. The tour itself was well organized, but seemed a little less personal than others I've been on (somewhat expected from larger wineries). I also found the 3 wines (Chianti) in the tasting to be "good", but not great. Eat beforehand because you get VERY few snacks that will not fill you up. The winery was HUGE and easy to see why they host weddings here- it was absolutely gorgeous and the landscaping was breath-taking. The views are outstanding and you won't be able to take enough pictures. You get a tour around the buildings, the room with the wine-making equipment, the wine barrels, and the garden- but you will not enter the vineyard. They gave a great little description of the history of the vineyard and the Villa (they have the official records to actually date the establishment), and I found it very interesting.

Beautiful hotel. Very relaxing and quiet. Amazing staff. Giulia at the front desk was…read moregreat..knowledgeable about area. Hugo and the restaurant staff made every meal enjoyable. Chef Maria's cooking class was so much fun and educational. Lastly Daid the owner was lovely and a teue gentleman. My wife left her passport in the safe and he drove it to us an hour away in Florence. Cannot express enogh gratitude. Will definitely return. Chris Welsh

Absolutely amazing little boutique hotel with 11 rooms all different and beautifully appointed in…read morethe traditional Tuscan style. The bathrooms are particularly attractive with hand made italian tiles in warm colors. The service is outstanding and the girls at the reception extremely helpful for sightseeing advice and booking restaurant reservations in the area. The breakfast buffet is very generous, upscale and you can order any egg you want all served to perfection. The nights at the restaurant of the villa are charming and the food the best in the area. This is my second time there and it will not be the last!!!