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 is amazing. Walking distance from historical landmarks, restaurants, and everything in…read morebetween. The staff was super friendly and attentive. We especially enjoyed the nightly cocktails in the bar. The bartender made wonderful drinks and was really entertaining. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Florence.

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.

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!

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?

Pretty good hotel!…read more Rooms were clean and modernly furnished. Bathrooms were huge and bed/ pillows super comfy. Front desk staff was very helpful. Breakfast is included and is pretty good (continental buffet with italian cornetti and espresso) Only issue is that if you're actually touring Florence this hotel is pretty far away (25min by car). Not a problem for us a this was our last night before getting on the road the morning after.

From the owner: iH Hotels Firenze Business has 72 rooms elegantly furnished in a classic style where you can enjoy…read morespecial care for details and for the pleasure of welcoming our guests. If you wish to visit the Cradle of the Renaissance without incurring the city's hectic rhythm, iH Hotels Firenze Business is the perfect place where relaxation and harmony will welcome you right away! The hotel is just 9 km from the historic center.

We stayed 5 nights here on an independent Gate 1 tour, and I loved it! It's classic Europe with…read moresmall rooms, tiny elevator, and probably not great heat/ac. But it's the perfect middle of Tuscany spot for access to day trips. It's in the perfect location to walk anywhere worth seeing/doing/eating/drinking in Montecatini. Easy parking all around pretty close too. I highly recommend. And the temperature in the rooms was great in the fall weather. I never did eat breakfast, but it looked great!

Definitely would recommend. The hotel itself is conveniently located in the city and there are…read moreplenty of eating options in walking distance. The train station is two blocks away. The rooms are comfortable and the bathroom in our room was recently remodeled and upgraded. Breakfast was a very nice selection of typical European breads, cold cuts, fruit, yogurt and eggs. The staff is truly outstanding. They went out of their was to be accommodating and all were very friendly. Our original room was across from the plaza and there was a band playing for a party late, they immediately moved us to an inside room, no questions. Breakfast staff likewise was very helpful. Only reason the hotel didn't get 5 stars is you could feel the faded elegance, like it was once a destination for the upper crust that was now more middle class. Did nothing to detract from the comfort, value, or the staff, just something to be aware of if you are expecting a brand new hotel experience. If traveling to Tuscany and staying in Montecatini, I would stay again without hesitation. BTW, park in any of the blue street parking locations around the hotel and then get the parking pass from the hotel when you check in. The pass let's you park in those spots unlimited.

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.