My husband and I recently stayed at Borgo di Vescine for six nights to celebrate our 10-year…read morewedding anniversary. It is located in the heart of wine country in Chianti, Tuscany. I initially located it on a list of the most romantic wine hotels in Tuscany. It is located between the towns of Radda and Castellina. It is a very rural location, a bit of a drive from other amenities, so best to rent car to avoid feeling stranded. The hotel itself is a beautiful gem. It has a rustic, farmhouse feel and is in the surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. There are stunning views everywhere. The rooms are a rustic version of hotel rooms, but really more like bungalows. They are small brick buildings covered in grape vine. Each building appears to have about 2-3 rooms. There is a common area in the courtyard with string lights and small tables which I found to be a relaxing place to read and drink wine in the evenings. There is a very good restaurant and bar on site. They make their own wine and olive oil. The restaurant has a menu that changes nightly depending on the chef and the them of the evening. Much of the produce they use is gown on the property. Breakfast is included in the stay and it is quite the spread, including fresh fruits, pastries, cheese, charcuterie, hot dishes, and more. They always make espresso drinks to order.The bar was mainly a wine bar, and I found it a relaxing way to chat or play games in the evenings. The service both in the restaurant and the hotel was very good. Staff was friendly, professional, and helpful. My most memorable times at Borgo were the first night at dinner when the weather had gotten chilly, and the whole place smelled like fall due to the fireplace in the restaurant, and also the private cooking class we took on our anniversary. I was a bit disappointed that the website advertises a gym, and I found that it had been closed since COVID. Also, it advertises a heated pool, but it is not terribly warm. I think the primary reason I cannot give a 5-star review is because the buildings are covered in grapevine and the windows have no screens (European style) so whenever the windows were open (typically by housekeeping as we decided to keep them closed) tons of bugs would come in...I mean we would open the window for a moment and about 30 bugs would fall inside. They were harmless, something like a ladybug, but they kept coming in and I would find them all over, even in the bed. All in all, I do recommend Borgo di Vescine if you ever find yourself exploring Tuscany. It is a beautiful escape from the everyday. It is a near perfect romantic getaway with stellar service and views.

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 had a wonderful stay at Villa Olmi Firenze. We were graciously upgraded to a beautiful room…read moreadorned with classic wood beams--pure Renaissance charm. Dinner at the restaurant was spectacular, with each dish somehow better than the last. The hospitality throughout our stay was exceptional, and the thoughtful touch of leaving us biscotti made it even more special.

As my long time friend and fellow Yelp'er Timmy S. says in his review, it's hard to give Villa Olmi…read moreanything other than Five Stars. The grounds are magnificent. The rooms are well appointed and updated. The Staff is knowledgeable and polite, while being friendly enough to be approachable to get suggestions for an outing. The food here is a Wow. A big one. The twelve of us were part of a Viking Cruise Extended Destination and we had four days and three nights to tour greater Florence and Siena. Each morning we were greeted by a friendly staffer who offered us a delicious Breakfast and a freshly made Cappuccino. While at night, their Chef outdid themselves, with an exquisite meal and out-of-this-world Tuscany and Piedmont wines. See the separate review of their "Il Cavaliere Ristoranti" When I die, this would be my version of heaven. As Timmy says: "Five stars doesn't seem to do this place justice. I'd gladly give them a 6th star." I would heartily agree.

We had the most incredible stay here for part of our honeymoon! The property is stunning and it was…read moreso relaxing. Gorgeous views and delicious food/drinks. From the moment we arrived the staff was so accommodating, especially Gigi!

Volterra, Italy Tuscany region…read more Found out about this property from a family member who had recently visited. This was a splurge night on our trip. Organic farming, bee keeping, herb gardens, chickens, etc. After hearing about the property, curiosity got the best of me. After driving up the long road, the alluring smell of lavender, fresh herbs, etc. draws you into the reception area of the property which dates back to the 12th century. To fully enjoy a visit, plan ahead to book spa appointments, herb garden tours etc. We booked last minute and did not plan accordingly and missed out on some of the properties high points and that coveted massage. Upon check in we were given a small tour of the property, but I do wish I had thought to ask about herb garden and farm tours at that time. A recommendation: It would be helpful to have staff share times of events like garden tours, etc upon check in so that guests may plan accordingly if they are interested. When we asked staff we received a lot of uncertain answers as to when these things were taking place. The room we booked was assigned for a larger wedding party, so they upgraded us to the attic suite which had stunning views and was very quiet and had a relaxing and charming space complete with fresh flowers on the bathroom counter, bedside tables and living room area, and a bowl of berries, bottle of wine and handwritten card was left to welcome us. The buildings and grounds are maintained impeccably, the pool area just outstanding. We enjoyed dinner at the outdoor restaurant since the main restaurant was closed. We ordered salad, wood fired pizza (which was great) but the lamb chops were thin and cooked past well done. Our stay was relaxing and our plan was to arrive early afternoon and stay put and just enjoy the property. One night is not enough here if you can manage to foot the bill and want complete peace and tranquility, this is a very unique place.

This place is a sanctuary in the hills of Castellina in Chianti. If you're on tour in Italy and…read morefed up being amongst the tourists in Rome, Milan or Venice you need to come here to decompress! The villa itself has around 6 beautiful rooms upstairs with a lounge and entrance on the ground floor which also doubles as the check-in counter and gift shop (selling local artisanal goods.). The grounds have lots of space to relax- like hammocks, lounge chairs and of course, a sizable pool (with a proper deep end) to cool off under the summer sun. But theres more. Walk away from the pool towards the end of the hill top upon which this villa sits on and you'll be treated to a very quiet scenic sitting area where you can reflect, read, meditate or just stare off into the hills (see pic.) Though the villa is close to the town centre which has great dining options- DO NOT MISS OUT on having dinner at least once at the villa itself. Why? Because the couple who own and operate the villa make dinner themselves using some of the ingredients grown on the property. Literally you can order a pasta dish and they will walk over to the garden and pick the herbs then walk to the kitchen. You can't get anymore farm to table than that! Breakfast is equally as amazing. They will make eggs cooked to order and put an assortment of cheeses, fruits, pastries (which are made fresh everyday in the kitchen and rival anything you're ever going to eat in Paris.) About the owners- very nice and very hospitable couple. Its just the two of them who run this accommodation. They check you in. They cook and serve breakfast and dinner. They do it all. I've lived in Dubai for years and people often rave about the level of service in 5* hotels in that region...but no. The service you get at Villa Di Capovento by the owners is truly 5* and beyond indescribable.

Lovely modernized hotel with an outstanding location in the heart of Florence, Italy. This…read moremoderately priced hotel is literally steps from the Ponte Vecchio... the very heart of Florence. The rooms while smallish are comfortable. The staff is attentive and courteous. The hotel has a rooftop dining area that offers an outstanding view of the city. The food choices and very well prepared. Excellent shops are right outside the front door. And of course, there are the jewelry shops on the bridge where gold jewelry is sold by weight.

I booked this hotel for a trip in April 2020 using Expedia. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the…read morewhole world went into quarantine and this trip was cancelled. Per Expedia, this hotel was not responsive when they were contacted in regards to giving me a refund. I was not offered a credit for future stay either so that's basically stealing a persons money in the middle of a pandemic/crisis. For this reason, I will NEVER book with them and I hope their business fails.

The location and setting is truly beautiful! The Michelin dinner 14 course Mr Hyde was a true…read moredelight. Would recommend to all, but only suggestion would be not a place for very young children

The hotel had beautiful views of the countryside and Tuscany's iconic rolling greens. We had a…read morebeautiful room, with purple flowers outside, and had a nice spacious living room and bathroom. The bath products were amazing, loved the LED lights in the shower and I loved how we had complimentary turndown service with chocolates. We spent a day at the pool which was very relaxing! We ended our pool day in the spa where we were able to use the sauna, steamroom, and jacuzzi. The hotel had a gorgeous outdoor pool, but for the cooler months there's also an indoor pool. The hotel's morning breakfast was amazing! They had everything from sweet waffles, pancakes, croissants to cheeses and meats, salmon, bacon and eggs, not to mention fresh fruit and yogurt bar. They also have many restaurants, including La Terrazza Restaurant and Il Pievano. Il Pievano has light dishes and is Michelin-starred / rated, while La Terrazza is your more casual dining also where breakfast was served every morning.