The Best Hotels In Tuscany

Tuscany, a region in central Italy known and loved for its rugged landscape, rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards is a favourite getaway for many. Full of romance, history and charm, here are some of the best hotels in Tuscany to book in 2023 – from grand castles and nature reserves to an ancient inn.

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

The Best Hotels In Tuscany

Villa Lena

Calling all foodies: Villa Lena is the Tuscan hideaway for you. Located just south of Pontedera, Villa Lena offers a creative agriturismo experience in the Tuscan countryside, between Pisa and Florence. Having recently opened the farm-to-table restaurant, Osteria San Michele, fresh produce is at the heart of it, and it’s grown in their organic orto, overseen by Head Gardner Pierluigi (he has 25 years of experience working on the land). The menu includes strawberries, cucumbers, eggplants, zucchini, watermelons, and potatoes in the summer through to cavolo nero, beetroot, radishes, and white truffles in the autumn. This is complete with organic wines, and specialty cocktails, spearheaded by Head Chef Marco Baldeschi.

‘Villa Lena is about bringing a contemporary and creative flourish to the traditional Tuscan lifestyle, and we are delighted to see this coming together perfectly in our restaurant,’ says Lena Evstafieva, owner, and founder of Villa Lena. ‘Both organically and by design, Villa Lena has always been a hotbed of creativity and collaboration, so working with such an incredible and eclectic team to create a new restaurant is the perfect reflection of this central ethos. As so often is the case, the outcome is even greater than the sum of its parts.’

For a reset, try their Create and Restore Program that includes a three night’s stay on half board (breakfasts and dinners included), creative ceramic workshops with artist in residency Eloise White, yoga classes, a guided hike, pasta and cocktail making classes, as well as olive oil and wine tastings.

BOOK IT: villa-lena.it

Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole

When it comes to the best hotels in Tuscany, no list is complete without the starlet hotel of the Tuscan coast: Il Pellicano is, and always will be, the thing of Italian legends. Its position, tucked into the grooves of a cliff overlooking a private cove, has caught the imagination of thousands, from Hollywood stars to Slim Aarons.

Il Pellicano’s romantic history is what keeps the punters flocking. Born from the love story of a British ex-pilot and an American actress who built the hotel in the 1960s, la dolce vita lives on thanks to its current owners who, under the watchful eyes of Marie-Louise Sciò, has cultivated the resort into one of the most fashionable hangouts on the Med. Think villas fringed with florals, dreamy seascape views, plush spa (with every product under the sun), dashing boutique, sexy saltwater pool and a beach club scalloped by the sparkling blue sea. Rooms? Classic and stylish with lots of colour that bring in the warm terracotta shades of the coast. Some have terraces and others don knockout views of the sea – a real treat come sunrise. By Luke Abrahams

BOOK IT: hotelilpellicano.com

COMO Castello Del Nero

The first European property by COMO Hotels and Resorts, Castello Del Nero is nestled within a 740-acre estate in the Chianti hills of central Tuscany. The grand twelfth century castle oozes luxury inside and out with an interior that merges Renaissance frescoes and contemporary design by Paola Navone. There’s plenty on offer for the mind and body, from the deluxe spa – the region’s first Asian-inspired wellness facility, the COMO Shambhala Retreat, as well as a heated outdoor pool and fitness area named the Forest Gym, tennis courts and walking trails.

Then there’s Michelin-starred at La Torre, which is overseen by Executive Chef Giovanni Luca Di Pirro. Here, there’s an ever-changing menu of Italian dishes made with local ingredients, while the atmospheric La Taverna serves signature Tuscan favourites in the castle’s original kitchen, dating back 900 years. A collection of curated culinary experiences also allow guests to learn and taste the Tuscan produce, from a truffle hunt to wine tasting in the castle cellar.

BOOK IT: comohotels.com

Bagni di Pisa

It’s all about the regal thermal history here at this plush resort spa, a member of Leading Hotels of the World slap bang in the middle of the pretty Tuscan village of San Giuliano. Bagni di Pisa began life as the former summer residence of the Grand Duke of Toscana back in 1743 when he decided it was the spot to enjoy warm spa waters in the region. It’s easy to see why it got the royal seal of approval: mouth-dropping views from the Monte Pisano Hills (Leaning Tower of Pisa view included), hidden underground grotto and it’s just a 15-minute drive away from the rather stunning town of Lucca. 

The inside is just as impressive. The first floor wows with all its frescoed ceilings in the suites, alongside the Shelley Bar (of Frankenstein fame) and terrace dotted with all sorts of 18th century bling from drapes to urns filled with florals and decorative wrought iron numbers. The main attraction, however, is undoubtedly the spa. There’s oodles to enjoy, namely the floating pool, sauna and Turkish bath, plus mud and a soiree of beauty treatments. If you really want to go for it, weight-loss and detox programs reign supreme on the spa menu. By Luke Abrahams

BOOK IT: lhw.com

Oasyhotel

A pioneering nature-immersive wilderness retreat, Oasyhotel is situated within the protected Dynamo Oasis Nature Reserve in the San Marcello Piteglio region, and offers 16 lodges that’s ideal for families, friends, couples and solo travellers alike. Combining environmental conservation, social responsibility and positive responsible tourism, the family-owned and privately run Oasyhotel is, as well as one of the best hotels in Tuscany, a non-profit organisation with all hotel revenue going towards the conservation of the Oasi Dynamo reserve.

The expansive 1,000+ hectares of land consists of forest, farmland, lakes and rivers with rare plants and a huge range of biodiversity along with wildlife including wolves, deer, and wild boar. There’s a whole host of active outdoor adventure and wilderness wellbeing activities (from wolf tracking to horse riding, foraging, forest therapy, kayaking, and meditation).

Guests can also become a Tuscan farmer for a day at its Oasi Dynamo Farm with an interactive farm tour and cheese-making classes, which is then eaten for lunch. Farm-to-table cuisine is popular here too, with two main restaurants for guests to choose from, Le Felci which is located in a stone farmhouse close to the lodges, and the open-air Casa Luigi that’s a perfect spot for long Tuscan-style lunches overlooking the nature reserve.

BOOK IT: oasyhotel.com

Terme di Saturnia Hotel Resort & Spa

The star of this waterworld wonder is its thermal pool. Italians have been flocking to it for years, not just for the wonders it does on the epidermis, but also for the coveted Instagram shot. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the famous spring dates all the way back to the Etruscan era and generations (including gobbly-eyed tourists) have lapped up its bubbling regenerative waters since. Rooms are a blast from the past (think 80s Italiana) yet snug with roomy beds and bathrooms stocked with natural bathing products sourced locally. 

The thermal spring

Aside from bobbling in the pool night and day, the spa offers all sorts of regenerative therapies targeted to capitalise on all the healing powers of the natural spring water. Think massages, pumice and the odd bit of mud. Once you’re done in the hotel, head for the natural spa, but go early, as beyond 8am you can expect what the concierge dubbed ‘hell’. Pack your camera, as it’s seriously pretty, too. There’s also the use of an 18-hole golf course and, if you are feeling extra adventurous, hikes, horse riding and mountain biking can be arranged on request. By Luke Abrahams

BOOK IT: lhw.com

Lupaia

Located on a hilltop overlooking Montepulciano and the surrounding countryside, Lupaia offers a tranquil escape, Tuscan style. Set on a country estate, the small but perfectly formed hotel promises an intimate and romantic hideaway with just 12 rooms and suites that are all unique, and spread across five ancient farmhouse buildings.

At the heart of the hotel is the main house and annex that dates back to 1622, with an open kitchen where guests meet every evening for an authentic home-cooked, four course menu, with ingredients from their organic vegetable garden and the local markets. The menu changes every day and includes traditional Tuscan dishes and classic Italian favourites.

For exploring, Lupaia is close to the historic towns of Siena, Arezzo, Florence and Perugia, and for relaxation try out the hotel’s infinity pool that has views of the village of Montefollonico and rolling hills.

BOOK IT: lupaia.com

Castello di Casole, a Belmond Hotel

Romance galore, the Castello di Casole property by Belmond is set within 4,200 acres of land that includes a game reserve, vineyards and olive groves. When it comes to the accommodation, the hotel consists of 39 indulgent rooms, and be sure to check in the Limonaia suites (a converted lemon barn) that come with their very own gardens, living room and there’s a split-level layout, or the rich in history Tinaia suites, that are close to the chapel and don original stone walls complete with mosaics.

For those wanting to keep active there are walking and cycling trails, fitness centre, croquet lawn, and a heated outdoor infinity pool that’s built into the hillside and overlooks the valleys of Siena. There’s also a cinema, games room, and a wine cellar-turned-luxury spa that has high vaulted ceilings, restored stone walls and Etruscan artifacts, Roman-bath-inspired plunge pools, treatment rooms, plus a garden terrace for morning yoga sessions. As for drinks and dining options there’s an array to suit your mood from the pool bar, wine cellar and Bar Visconti (named after the previous owners), to the purely Italian restaurant Tosca and the elegant Emporio.

BOOK IT: belmond.com

Featured image: Castello di Casole