Most avid travelers have a visit to Tuscany sat firmly on their bucket list. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the region is an overwhelming melting pot of art, culture and architecture. Endless green hills lined with rolling vineyards and shady olive groves make for breathtaking sunset views and are responsible for some of the best wines on the planet. Tuscan food remains fresh, local and uncomplicated. Home to eight world heritage sites and over 120 protected nature reserves, travelers could visit Tuscany countless times without ever experiencing the full breadth of its beauty and culture.
To top it off, in the last decade there’s been an explosion of luxury hotels cropping up in Tuscany, dotted across the region’s medieval hilltop villages and within the walls of its historic cities. When planning your Tuscan trip, you’ll need to decide whether you’re looking for an indulgent countryside getaway (think wine tastings and slow village strolls), or something a little more fast-paced.
Need help choosing? Spend a few days relaxing and feasting in one of the more secluded hillside villages, sandwich in a short visit to the Italian coast before finishing your trip sightseeing in the busier Florence or Pisa (many of the most exclusive hotels are just a short drive away). Summer days in Tuscan cities are hot and busy, so we recommend booking your stay in September to avoid the crowds but still catch plenty of Italian sun (temperatures range from around 72-82°F).
As for accommodation, there’s something for everyone. To help you find your perfect stay, we’ve curated a list of the very best luxury hotels in Tuscany. From idyllic wellness sanctuaries to glamorous coastal boutiques, these hotels are fascinating destinations in themselves.
[See also: The Most Enchanting Hotels on the Amalfi Coast]
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Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel
If you’re seeking an authentic Tuscan spot where you can truly unwind, look no further than Castello Di Casole, A Belmond Hotel. Just over an hour’s drive from Florence, this 10th-century castle turned ultra-luxury hotel is the perfect place from which to explore the wonders of rural Italy.
The hotel’s countryside location and attentive service encourage visitors to fully surrender themselves to a slower pace of life. Complete with only 39 rooms, the smaller size of the hotel adds to the relaxing quiet of the location. For an added sense of seclusion, we recommend opting for one of the hotel’s new private villas, Villa Thesan and Villa Usil, designed by Italian interior designer Alessandro Moriconi.
The main pool deck, overlooking acres of vineyards and untouched Tuscan forests, is where time truly stands still. We spent lazy days enjoying freshly made pizzas and white peach bellinis, ending each afternoon watching the swallows play and savoring slow orange sunsets over the infinity pool.
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If you or your guests struggle to sit still, don’t worry. The hotel is central enough that you can still day trip to Pisa and Lucca, and even make a visit to one of the coast’s glitzy beach clubs. Afternoons can easily be spent sipping your way around vineyards, and cooking and pottery classes can be enjoyed from the comfort of your villa. Beginners in both, we also tried our hand at horseback riding and truffle hunting.
For hotel dining, Tosca, the more formal dining option, is a standout. If visiting in the summer, sit out in the yellow courtyard to enjoy the warm Italian evening air. In the cooler months, dine inside under typical Tuscan stone arches and enjoy local dishes with exciting twists.
Castelfalfi
Sitting within a stone-walled medieval borgo dating back to Etruscan times, Castelfalfi is exactly what springs to mind when you think of a quintessential Tuscan retreat.
Boasting 2,700 acres of woodland, vineyards and olive groves, the beautiful landscape takes center stage here. When it comes to activities, it’s hard to find better: the estate is home to a fully working olive oil mill, winery, and apiary which you can visit for tours and tastings.
Castelfalfi has 151 elegant rooms – opt to stay in the main building in one of the recently renovated suites for sweeping vistas of the rolling hills. Slightly further afield there’s a collection of farmhouses that can be rented for family gatherings or those looking for a bit more privacy.
Breakfast also deserves a mention; by far the best hotel breakfast I’ve ever experienced, Castelfalfi has everything you could possibly think of – and more – including an egg station with a chef on hand to cook your eggs exactly how you want them. Elsewhere, the resort features a fine dining restaurant in a medieval castle in the heart of the village and a laid-back trattoria serving wood-fired pizza.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
Our list of the best luxury hotels in Tuscany would not be complete without mentioning Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. The sprawling property sits within an impeccably restored 900-year-old estate in Montalcino, boasting breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia hills.
Oenophiles will be pleased to hear Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is a working wine estate; the annual harvest event takes place in September and there’s an array of wine-making tours and tastings to choose from.
The resort is also home to an expansive spa complete with a lush private garden and outdoor pool. Treatments nod back to the surroundings; we recommend the dreamy Tuscan lavender escape body ritual massage.
Despite spanning over 5,000 acres, the property has just 42 suites. There’s also a lovely collection of villas housed within sensitively restored 17th and 18th-century farmhouses (each with its own infinity pool and private garden).
Monteverdi Tuscany
Next up on our list is Monteverdi – a pretty hillside hamlet around halfway between Florence and Rome. American lawyer Michael Cioffi fell in love with the derelict village during a trip to Tuscany and set about transforming it into one of the region’s most exclusive luxury hotels.
Monteverdi has just 11 suites and three villas. If you’re traveling in a larger group, it’s well worth booking the six-bedroom house – a spacious property complete with a private garden and al fresco dining pergola.
The real star of the show at Monteverdi, however, is the spa and wellness center. Expect an array of science-driven offerings (think IV therapy and laser treatments) with resident physicians on hand to create personally tailored health programs.
Evenings can be spent watching the sunset with a cocktail or two at the terrace bar followed by dinner at Oreade – the hotel’s fine dining restaurant helmed by respected chef Giancarla Bodoni.
COMO Castello Del Nero
If you’re looking for a rural retreat within easy driving distance of Florence, COMO Castello Del Nero is an excellent option. Set within a 12th-century castle in the heart of the Chianti wine region, this picture-perfect resort ticks a lot of boxes.
The hotel features 50 rooms spread across the castle and a series of outbuildings. We love the Como Terrace Suite – a two-bedroom apartment with a stunning rooftop terrace looking out over the Tuscan hills. COMO brought in Milanese designer Paola Navone to breathe new life into the interiors; expect beautifully restored frescoes alongside bespoke contemporary furnishings.
Elsewhere, you’ll find an expansive wellness sanctuary complete with a heated vitality pool, aromatic steam room and Pilates studio (the best place to soak up the views is from the relaxation room). If you prefer to keep busy, there are plenty of activities to choose from spanning everything from truffle hunting to hot air balloon rides.
Hotel Il Pellicano
It would be remiss of us not to include at least one coastal retreat in our list of the very best luxury hotels in Tuscany. We’ve picked Hotel Il Pellicano – an enchanting boutique perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Monte Argentario Peninsula.
The property was bought by a British ex-pilot and American socialite in the 1960s as a romantic hideaway and later transformed into a hotel. To this day Hotel Il Pellicano retains an intimate feel – it has just 50 rooms and suites, many with private terraces or gardens.
Hotel Il Pellicano is known for its fantastic food offering; the property boasts a Michelin-star restaurant showcasing Tuscany’s bounty of seasonal produce, and a casual alfresco grill overlooking the hotel’s private bay.
The best way to see Italy’s Argentario Coast is by boat – it’s well worth taking the hotel’s dinghy out for a day trip to explore the hidden coves and secluded beaches nearby.
Portrait Firenze
If a city break has more appeal, you can’t go wrong with Portrait Firenze. Situated on the north bank of the Arno, a stone’s throw from the Ponte Vecchio, every suite has a river view. Thanks to this stellar location, many of Florence’s iconic art galleries and museums are within walking distance.
Owned by the Ferragamo family, the hotel is every bit as stylish as you would expect; the walls are adorned with photographs of Hollywood stars from the Locchi, Giorgini and Alinari Archives, while the rooms effortlessly blend classic and modern details. Our favorite is the Penthouse Suite which is set across the entire sixth floor of the hotel and boasts a sprawling roof terrace.
Across the river at sister hotel Lugarno you’ll find a Michelin-star eatery – Borgo San Jacopo – helmed by chef Claudio Mengoni (ask for one of the romantic tables overlooking the Arno).
Four Seasons Firenze
Last but by no means least on our list of the best luxury hotels in Tuscany is Four Seasons Firenze. If you’re looking for no-holds-barred opulence, this is your place.
Housed within a converted 15th-century palace and 16th-century convent in the beautiful Gherardesca Gardens, this stately hotel whisks you back in time. Of the 116 rooms at Four Seasons Firenze, the aptly named Royal Suite is the most extravagant of all. Spanning 2,518 sq ft, the lavish abode is adorned with 17th-century frescoes, antique furnishings, and glittering chandeliers. Boasting multiple living spaces, a gorgeous marble bathroom, and a windowed gallery, it’s quite literally fit for a king.
The hotel is also home to a Michelin-star restaurant – Il Palagio – where head chef Paolo Lavezzini serves regional classics with a contemporary twist and an al fresco terrace by the shady pool.
[See also: The Most Idyllic Hotels in Lake Como]
