If you’re searching for the top luxury hotels Tuscany, you’re in the right place. The Tuscan countryside needs no introduction — the bucolic rolling hills dotted with sage-tinted olive groves have long been an emblem of Italian countryside beauty. You can visit historic castles and landmark hilltowns, enjoy natural thermal baths, and do all the food-loving activities!
As a food and wine lover who lived in Florence, I ventured on many weekends and day trips to the Tuscan countryside. I’m talking exploring historic towns like San Gimignano, going truffle hunting in the fall, having leisurely lunches with panoramic views, or wine tastings in storied regions like Chianti and Montepulciano.
But this area is also worth a more extended stay, partially because it’s home to some of the best luxury hotels in Italy. Having spent my career in hospitality, I’ve stayed at some of the best hotels in the world and even started my career as an intern at the historic Hotel Bel Air.
Through years of researching for our clients and leading group trips to Italy, California, and Mexico, I’ve visited hundreds of hotel properties worldwide. Some of the best have been at luxury hotels in the heart of Tuscany. As a travel planner specializing in luxury travel to Italy, I have many clients book a stay at a 5-star hotel when heading to this corner of Italy. Here are a few of their favorites:
10 Luxury Hotels Tuscany For Food And Wine Lovers
Tuscany hotels set the bar for quality lodging across the region, from Forte dei Marmi to the heart of Florence. There are luxury hotels ranging from family-owned gems and historic properties (many that were once villages or borghi converted to resorts) to all-out luxe spots by renowned high-end brands like Rosewood, COMO, Four Seasons, and the Belmond Hotel group.
This article focuses on luxury hotels in the Tuscan countryside south of Florence. (Note: If you’re looking for hotels elsewhere in Tuscany, say, on the coast or in the center of Florence, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we can provide advice.) These are no-holds-barred 5-star properties where every last detail is accounted for, and the hospitality is top-notch. They are pricey, with rooms starting at US$700, but our guests have vouched they are worth the price.
COMO Castello del Nero
Distance From Florence Airport: 35 minutes by car
What We Love: Live your best Italian dream life — wandering castles, riding vespas, and wine tasting — at this stunner of a resort that’s just a half-hour south of Florence city center. The 740-acre property is dotted with vineyards and olive trees and surrounded by woods, so it feels like a total escape. The focal point is the restored 12th-century castle with medieval-era frescoes.
Our clients are fans of the understated modern decor, the tranquil outdoor swimming pool, the top-notch service, and the fine dining at the Michelin-starred La Torre restaurant, serving elevated local dishes like Chianina beef tartare or beet gnocchi. I have enjoyed many an afternoon dining alfresco on their terrace, which has jaw-dropping views of the Tuscan countryside.
Need To Know: This is the busier part of Tuscany, so you will see visitors on day trips on weekends and during the high season.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $100USD equivalent Resort Credit
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Free Wi-Fi
COMO Castello del Nero, Str. Spicciano, 7, 50028 Barberino Tavarnelle FI
Castelfalfi
Distance From Florence Airport: 1 hour by car
What We Love: I stayed here in 2016, and the tranquil vibes and beautiful views have lingered with me ever since. Set on over 2,700 acres, Castelfalfi feels like you’ve escaped to your very own countryside hamlet. The property is one of the largest luxury resorts in Tuscany with 146 guest rooms, 27 holes of golf (the largest in Tuscany), four restaurants, and a slew of activities ranging from spa services to wine tasting to truffle hunting.
I took a private cooking class (in a room with an incredible view of the Tuscan countryside), and the chef shared his best tips for Tuscan classics like handmade pasta and Torta della Nonna.
Need To Know: The country roads to get there are circuitous, so it takes time to get anywhere. Some clients noted the decor is too minimal.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the Hotel Restaurant
- $100 equivalent in local currency Food & Beverage credit utilized during stay
- VIP welcome amenity in a room with Castelfalfi red wine and chocolate
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Castelfalfi, Località Castelfalfi, 50050 Montaione, FI
Pieve Aldina
Distance From Florence Airport: 1 hour by car
What We Love: The newest addition to the Tuscany luxury hotel scene, this Relais & Châteaux is part of the France-based Les Domaine de Fontenille hotels. The nearly 100-acre property is intimate, with only 22 rooms, an outdoor pool, and a small dining room, but that makes it feel like a serene countryside escape.
The property feels secluded, but it is in the heart of Chianti wine country, known as the Chiantigiana. That puts you near some beloved wineries like Fontodi and Badia a Coltibuono and close to adorable towns like Panzano (where you’ll find legendary butcher Dario Cecchini and his restaurants), Greve in Chianti, and Radda in Chianti.
Need To Know: This is on the smaller side of luxury hotels in Tuscany, with only 22 rooms. Therefore, it has limited amenities relative to the larger hotels listed here. Those aren’t issues because you’re close to many things to explore, like historic towns, restaurants, and wineries, but it’s good to know.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Breakfast included for 2
- Upgrade + early check-in + late check-out upon availability at time of check-in
- 1 complimentary experience per stay – in case of an extended stay, 1 experience per week
- Welcome amenities (1 bottle of wine from Les Domaines de Fontenille)
Pieve Aldina Relais & Chateaux, Traversa del Chianti, 53017 Radda in Chianti
Borgo Santo Pietro
Distance From Florence Airport: 80 minutes by car
What We Love: If there were an award for the most romantic luxury resort, Borgo Santo Pietro would surely win. Set southwest of Siena (an easy day trip) on the edge of the UNESCO heritage site of Val D’Orcia, this 800-year-old luxury farmhouse hotel is in what many would consider the best place in Tuscany. The vibes are rustic-luxe thanks to the working farm, elegant rooms with antique furniture, lush gardens, comfortable rooms, and a fabulous spa that’s noteworthy in and of itself.
Their dining options have always been a highlight for our guests, and their extensive — more than 1,200 bottles deep — wine cellar focuses on Tuscan and Italian wines. The many gardens — especially the culinary garden — are not to be missed. Travelers often visit this place for special occasions, from weddings to honeymoons. Even so, they have features — like a playground and family-size rooms — that make it work for smaller families.
Need To Know: This hotel only has 22 rooms, which may be too small for some travelers. It is open seasonally from April through October, so don’t plan to visit in the winter!
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
- $100 equivalent Food & Beverage credit
- Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Borgo San Pietro, 110, Loc, Località Palazzetto, 110, 53012 Palazzetto SI
Relais Sant’Elena
Distance From Florence Airport: 90 minutes by car
What We Love: Part of our crew stayed here when we filmed the olive oil harvest for Lucini in 2019. It’s a beautiful country chic spot and feels very secluded even though it’s a couple minutes from the lovely historic town of Bibbona. It’s in the middle of the lesser-visited western Tuscan wine country where Super Tuscan reds come from, so there is much to explore without as many tourists as other parts of Tuscany. The property has a lovely shabby chic-meets-rustic Tuscan vibe and exceptional service. We enjoyed doing aperitivo in their gardens, with intimate seating areas that made the hotel feel more like a home.
Need To Know: The decor may be too classic for your taste. They’re very particular about not letting anyone but guests on the property — good to know if your whole party doesn’t stay there.
Relais Sant’Elena,Via Vicinale di Campo di Sasso, 57020 Bibbona LI, Italy
Monteverdi
Distance From Florence Airport: 1 hour 45 minutes by car
What We Love: This is another property I got to know when I was filming in nearby Val D’Orcia for the 2019 olive harvest. Chef Giancarla welcomed us with open arms and I immediately took to her modern take on Italian cuisine. As with Castelfalfi, Borgo San Pietro, and Borgo San Felice, the resort is set among a historic hamlet (or borgo). But it’s a more contemporary take with lovely modern decor with many amenities like yoga, fabulous spa services, and cooking classes. It’s drivable to the most beautiful towns of Val D’Orcia (Pienza and Montalcino being my faves) and to those stunning gardens where they filmed for Succession. But also make time to enjoy the top-notch wellness center and the beautiful views of Tuscany.
Need To Know: The village rooms don’t have the best views, so you may want to choose a room in the following category.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $100 equivalent Resort or Hotel credit
- Bookings in Villas (2, 3, or 6 bedrooms) will also receive a Complimentary Water Circuit at the Monteverdi Spa
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Monteverdi, Via di Mezzo, 2, 53047 Castiglioncello del Trinoro SI, Italy
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
Distance From Florence Airport: 1 hour 45 minutes by car
What We Love: Situated within the Val d’Orcia and in the heart of the Brunello di Montalcino wine-making region, this 5000-acre country estate is perched on a hilltop with incredible views. The historic property has been restored and includes a villa, a private golf club, a winery, a spa, an organic kitchen garden, and twenty-three suites.
Our food-and-wine-focused guests are fans of the Michelin-starred restaurant Campo del Drago and the fact you have relatively easy access to the celebrated wine regions of Val D’Orcia. When you book a villa, you also get a Land Rover Defender to drive and explore the area at your own pace.
The property has enough to keep you occupied for days, but it’s also an ideal location for food and wine lovers. Within a one-hour drive, you can visit everything from the town of Siena to the villages of the Val D’Orcia, like Pienza and Montalcino, as well as the many celebrated wineries of this corner of Tuscany and the Terme di Montepulciano spas.
Need To Know: The decor may be too classic for some.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Daily breakfast for up to two people per bedroom
- Complimentary one-category upgrade at booking or upon arrival
- Pre-registration before arrival
- No relocation policy for Elite clients
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, 53024 Castiglion del Bosco Province of Siena
Borgo San Felice
Distance From Florence Airport: 1 hour 25 minutes by car
What We Love: One of the first “borgo” hotels (where they make a hotel in an old village), Borgo San Felice is nestled in the heart of Chianti Classico among vineyards and olive trees. The medieval borgo – Italian for “hamlet” – is home to the beautiful Relais & Chateaux resort comprising restored 8th-century buildings amid over 250 acres of vines. This elegant hotel is centrally located. The property has rustic details like stone walls, terracotta tile floors, and exposed wooden beams. You can explore the nearby Castle of Brolio, the Basilica of San Francesco, the many wineries for Chianti, or even a day trip to the nearby village of Arezzo.
Need To Know: The decor is a bit classic, so it may not be your style.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom (already included in property rates), served in the hotel restaurant
- $100USD equivalent in local currency Resort or Hotel Credit
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Borgo San Felice, Località San Felice, 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga SI, Italy
Castello di Vicarello
Distance From Florence Airport: 2 hours by car
What We Love: This stunning place is a total retreat with lovely owners, so head here if you want to unplug and have no real agenda. Blessed with gorgeous gardens and surrounded by vineyards, it is an unspoiled ultra-boutique destination.
The name of the game here is relaxation, be it by the outdoor pool, during a yoga class, or via cycling, hiking, and horse riding. It’s about an hour’s drive from the adorable Tuscan beach town of Castiglione della Pescaia or the lovely hilltowns and wineries of Val D’Orcia, like Montalcino.
Need To Know: This place has only 8 rooms and is remote, so it’s more about enjoying the property than exploring the area.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $100USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit
- Early Check-in / Late Check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Castello di Vicarello, Via Vicarello, 1, 58044 Poggi del Sasso GR, Italy
Hotel Il Pellicano
Distance From Florence Airport: 2 hours 30 minutes by car
What We Love: Hands down one of my favorite beach properties in Italy, the luxurious Il Pellicano is a storied property. It was originally built in the 1960s as a home for Michael and Patricia Graham and is now a Leading Hotel Of The World.
This luxurious five-star hotel is located on the lesser-visited (by tourists) southern Tuscan Coast on the tucked-away Monte Argentario peninsula, an area long loved by Tuscans as a top vacation spot. I visited when I lived in Italy, and it felt like it was out of a midcentury Italian film. The property’s sprawling nature — with pathways and stairways, fragrant gardens, and discrete corners — makes it feel like you’re in your secret hideaway. That would be a hideaway with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a heated saltwater swimming pool, a spa with a sea view, and a sea platform with chaise longue and immaculate parasols that lead to a private beach.
Need To Know: Our clients love the property but don’t always vibe the room decor. Also, Americans have discovered it, so it may not feel as authentically Italian as it once was.
Perks When You Book With Us:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Buffet breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $100 equivalent Resort or Hotel credit
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Hotel Il Pellicano, Località Sbarcatello, 58019 Porto Ercole GR, Italy
Have you stayed at or visited any of these luxury hotels in Tuscany? If so, let us know your thoughts below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuscany is home to numerous luxury hotels that offer exceptional countryside experiences, including COMO Castello del Nero, Monteverdi, and the Pieve Aldrina. Other notable mentions are Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino and Castelfalfi, each providing unique luxury accommodations and authentic Tuscan charm.
Luxury hotels in Tuscany typically offer a range of high-end amenities to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay. These may include gourmet dining options with Michelin-starred restaurants, spa services featuring local ingredients like olive oil and Tuscan herbs, infinity pools with breathtaking views of the Tuscan landscape, private terraces or gardens, and personalized concierge services to help plan local excursions.
Choosing the right luxury hotel in Tuscany depends on your preferences for location, type of experience, and amenities. Consider whether you prefer the countryside's tranquility or the vibrancy of a city like Florence. Determine if you're interested in specific experiences, such as wine tours, cooking classes, or art history. Review the amenities that are most important to you, such as spa services, dining options, or outdoor activities. Lastly, read reviews and look for hotels that match your desired level of service and experiential offerings.
Classic Day Trips From Florence
Consider extending your culinary exploration with day trips to nearby Tuscan towns, offering their unique flavors and experiences. Some classic day trips from Florence include visits to Greve in Chianti, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Siena, Lucca, and Viareggio. Each town offers a unique perspective on Tuscany and its rich history, culture, and beauty.
Have Us Plan Your Italy Trip
For a seamless and bespoke culinary journey in Tuscany, contact us at Salt and Wind Travel. Our insider knowledge and passion for Italian cuisine will ensure your trip is as delicious as it is memorable.
Photo Credit: First three photos courtesy of COMO Hotels; photo of Pieve Aldina by Sylvie Bequet; photo of Castiglion del Bosco from Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; all other photo by Team Salt & Wind Travel
1 thought on “Top Luxury Hotels Tuscany According To A Travel Planner”
So many incredible memories of Italy! When do we return?
Ciao, Kristin and Aida!
Kirsten