This is where we had our wedding reception 9 years ago. Unfortunately, that was back in the dark…read moreages before Yelp so I couldn't write a review at the time. However I do recall the many, many courses of molto delicioso cibo. Irma, the proprietor, is such a wonderful hostess and chef. Every time we come back to visit, we stop here for a meal. Our last trip to Italy in July was 2 and a half weeks long and without question, our meal here was the best of the trip. I had a plate of spinach ravioli drenched in ricotta sauce with tartufo shavings that was absolutely rapturous. It was...glorious. How glorious was it you ask? It was SO glorious that as I'm writing this and trying to pay homage to its gloriousness, I'm starting to drool--I am NOT kidding. I mean...imagine you're eating a plate of the sexiest pasta you've ever had. As the olfactory/gustatory pleasure mounts, you can almost hear the cherubim and seraphim moaning at the pleasure of your pleasure in the background. Yeah. THAT glorious. The Huzby had some cinghiale pappardelle that also knocked it out of the park. He didn't mention anything about angels, but not a noodle was left behind. The tiramisu was divine in its own right. Thankfully, the grounds are equipped with a recovery bed and canopy to allow you to digest in full repose. Ahh.... Mille grazie and we'll see you again in a year or three, Irma.

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!!!!

We decided to stay in a hotel in Livorno vs an airBNB, bc we wanted a change of pace. Apts in…read moreItaly tend to be small, and the showers are tiny. The Palazzo is the nicest hotel in Livorno, and has been in biz for over 100 yrs. It has great views of the water fr the rooftop bar & restaurant. Single rooms were about €150,00 including taxes & fees. The rooms were spacious, and the bathrooms were good sized and inc a tub. We indulged in the bar & apps, bfast buffet and dinner during our stay. The service was excellent, but the pricing is high. For an example, an Americano cocktail was €18,00 vs elsewhere the drink would have been €8,00. Secondarily, the buffet is €22,00, but did not have made to order items. The scrambled eggs were runny, and the sausage were like hot dogs. I stuck to the charcuterie, boiled eggs, fresh fruit and croissants. I also grabbed take away for mija & ITC, that dropped the actual cost closer to €7,00/person. Lastly, dinner was +€100,00 for two entrees, a salad, a dessert and one glass of wine. All in all, a positive stay bc of the rooms, the location and excellent service. Apparently the Palazzo is popular for weddings and bachelorette parties too. I'm glad the Italian version of the latter are more tame vs the crap you see in Vegas - LOL!

I know I'm rating hotel, but I have to start with the food. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow…read moremorning of the breakfast buffet. It was beautiful - inside and out. Yes, inside of my belly. They have these small pizza bites (for breakfast - it's like college, I know) that were so amazing. The hotel is clean, the prices reasonable, the Internet fast and free and the parking is absolutely easy and free as well. If you pay for a small upgrade, you get a beach view. There's also a fitness studio with technogym equipment and a spa (spa I haven't tried). The TV has a few international channels. Everything fancy shmancy, you could say. My boyfriend wants me to add: the toilet paper roll isn't properly attached to the wall and there is some mold along the bathtub.

This hotel has an amazing view of Montalcino. Book a room with a view out the back side. The front…read morejust faces the streets. Breakfast is included and the man who was the barista was very nice and friendly. He makes tasty coffees with pretty foams. The breakfast room has a beautiful view too. Check in and check out was a breeze. They do have good WiFi here. It's a short walk up a steep hill to restaurants and shops. Parking is included with the hotel but spaces are pretty tight. We had a van and it unfortunately got dented in the process of trying to fit into the parking spot we were given. We were in a triple room which was a twin sofa bed and a king size bed upstairs in a loft. It was a big room. The restroom was a little dated and there was some mold in the shower. You need to return your key to the front desk every time you leave the hotel. You pick it up when you come back.

A good three night stay here. The facility is beautiful. It sits on a steep hill side overlooking a…read morebeautiful valley. The room was very nice if on the small side. the view more than made up for the size. Everything worked reasonably well except the AC did not work one evening. The staff were efficient and reasonably friendly. The breakfast was very good quality and well served. Housekeeping was excellent.

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.

Just amazing! Our room looked out over the garden and the hills beyond Siena and it was as if we…read morewere looking out at a painting. The room itself was just beautiful with a lovely bathroom. The staff were super friendly and the whole experience just first rate. The hotel is convenient to all the attractions, great restaurants and also a nice little supermarket. They have an electric kettle and instant coffee in the room as well as a fridge. It was so nice to be able to enjoy a coffee before heading out for the day. They do offer parking for 10 Euros a day, and clear instructions on how to get in and out of the City without getting fined! Remember, the City center is a no drive area for non residents. Just do as the hotel indicates and you will be fine. The other recommendation is to book directly, they assured me they charge less than going through Booking or Expedia and will also discount if you pay in cash.

I came to Castello de Velona in September 2024 for a wedding. I can't tell you what a lovely place…read morethis is. The service is impeccable, the rooms cozy and the grounds and the view are amazing! I ended up renting a car and driving in from Firenze, which was not only a great option but an easy drive through the many vineyards in Tuscany. Upon arrival I was greeted by valets ready to help you with your car and help you unload your luggage. Upon entering, you're greeted by a beautiful restored castle with many pathways, that are intriguing. My room was nice, we had a small living room with a great view of the rolling knolls. I felt warped back in time. The upgrades give this place a nice touch of elegance and charm that made me feel right at home. The thermal waters that flow through their pools are both healing and relaxing. The staff is readily available to take ANY request. I honestly felt like royalty here. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner here. My only gripe is with myself, I wish I was more adventurous with their food. I have to admit, as an American, I'm used to large portions and feeling stuffed afterwards. I did not feel that here, in fact, the food was just enough and their wine and cocktails options were on par with my expectations. Come here to relax, come here to indulge in great service and delicious food. Come here because you need to get away from the city. You will not be disappointed.

This location is absolutely fabulous. Our rooms were great, views were fantastic, staff was very…read moreaccommodating, spa services were so relaxing and we took a private cooking class from Dominnico which was such an amazing experience - absolutely loved him and will be definitely trying to recreate what we learned hands on in his kitchen.

Considering that this is a 5-star hotel I would have expected better rooms and more included in the…read moreprice. My stay in this hotel was very pleasant, but the bathroom was very small and inconveniently designed. Also, the thermal pools in the hotel we had to pay an additional 40 euro pp for. The service was good. As it is mid-season we were able to get a late checkout (6pm) and the hotel had upgraded our room (we didn't even need to ask for this). If you're planning to stay at this resort make sure to ask for a room with a nice bathroom. The lady at the reception recommended me to do this next time.

We stayed here for two nights during a VBT cycling tour of Tuscany. This resort is one of the few…read morefive-star facilities in Tuscany. Its main highlights are a private beach on the Estrucan Coast, an outdoor pool, and a lavish spa with treatments, therapies, saunas, steam rooms, and Roman baths. Our ground-floor room was fine, with a nice outdoor patio looking out on the resort's private park. It included free Wi-Fi, Sky TV, a bathroom with both shower and bathtub, complimentary bathrobes and slippers, a mini-bar, and a safe. Some of the people in our group requested room changes because of problems with the showers. We luckily didn't experience any difficulty with ours, but don't be afraid to ask for assistance or another room if need be; the staff seemed eager to accommodate. We opted to eat dinner out both nights instead of at the facility's restaurant, but we had the complimentary breakfast here both mornings. This was a cut above the free breakfast provided by most hotels, with hot scrambled eggs and bacon. Service at the front desk was always courteous. We especially enjoyed the beach, the massage treatments in the spa, and the lobby bar, where we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks. Please note that you pay extra for treatments at the spa, as well as for special services like laundry or ironing.

Best spot on the island of Elba. Water in Biodola beach is sooo beautiful!!! Love the view:…read moresunrise, sunsets.... Best summer days! Service is as good as it can be. All stuff are smiling all the time, they serve the best of the best. They work so hard to make everybody happy. Food is fresh and professional presentation. There is nothing negative I could say about this place. They have everything you dream for your best vacation, for kids too. They have a great kids club with lots of activities and kids dinners with fun games so parents can enjoy their dinners:) So lucky to be coming here for past 5 years. Excellent!!!!! OK!!! It's 2017 and I am back like every year for past 7 years?! Yes, I am blessed. This year I have to say that kids club schedule is shorter and because of hat more kids present at dinner to mess up the self service salad bar and deserts. I literally saw kids sticking their hands bowls of dressings, fruit and salads... licking the serving spoon from the cakes and put them back on tray... disgusting! One of the servers should keep on eye on them, guarding the food and serve the kids. Really nobody wants to eat after kids touch and lick everything!!! If they don't fix this one star comes off. The rest is still so heavenly beautiful!!! After so many years I feel like home coming here.

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!