You guys, I think I’m in love – and I’m not talking about my husband. I recently came back from staying at one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Tuscany, and I want to share all of the details with you. Stick around because this hotel had it all: iconic hilltop views, delicious Italian food, nature trails, a medieval-turned-chic borgo, and A+ service. This is my thorough review of the luxurious Castelfalfi.

How did I choose Castelfalfi?

How does a luxury travel advisor narrow down which hotel to stay in when visiting Tuscany? It’s tough because there are so many great hotels and the type-A travel planner in me wants to experience them ALL!

For this trip, however, I only narrowed down to hotels with the following criteria: excellent views, 5* accommodations and service, and modern design. I wasn’t looking to stay in a preserved farmhouse with drafty windows, antique furniture, and fake candles – that’s not my style. Castelfalfi quickly became my favorite pick, and when they had availability over my busy summer dates I felt like the stars aligned.

Location

Castelfalfi is located about an hour southwest of Florence. It’s closer to Pisa and the coast than it is to Umbria, so keep that in mind if you plan to explore both Tuscany and Umbria. Not only is Castelfalfi the hotel, but it’s the actual name of the town where the hotel lies. The town is within 30 minutes driving to the cute walled towns of San Gimignano and Volterra, each with beautiful views of their own.

I thought the location was perfect for us. It gave us ample opportunity to explore the towns in Tuscany we wanted while remaining relatively close to Florence (our next stop). The hotel itself is perched on a hilltop looking down on Tuscan hills and valleys, which was a big factor in deciding to stay there.

The last thing I’ll say about location is that there are several airports to choose from not far from Castelfalfi. The best airport is going to be Florence as it’s only an hour drive. You can also fly into Pisa and drive an hour from there. We personally flew into Bologna (because of connecting options from Curacao), rented a car, and drove about 2.5 hours from there. I’ll do a separate post about renting a car and driving from Bologna, but just know the drive from Bologna is only scenic for the last quarter of the drive.

First Impressions

The last 10 minutes of the drive to Castelfalfi is continuously uphill through forests and cute towns. There were breaks in the trees in which the views opened up to beautiful vistas of the hilly countryside, and we knew we would be in for a treat when we reached the hotel.

Pulling into the hotel, we couldn’t see the views but we knew they were just on the other side of the hotel building. The valet promptly greeted us, took our bags and car keys, and escorted us to the lobby. We received an ice cold welcome drink consisting of a refreshing citrus and rosemary infused water before starting the quick check-in process.

My first impression of the property was that it felt like a movie set. Everything was picture perfect. The flowers were in bloom, the birds were singing, the sun was shining down, and the lobby felt like curated Italian glamor. Though there isn’t a view from the lobby, once you walk through the bar to the back patio, that’s when those amazing views open up.

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Style

Castelfalfi’s interior is undeniably contemporary, and I love that. Warm wood walls mix with cool tiled floors and brass light fixtures and coffee tables. Shades of green seemed to be a common motif often paired with a neutral patterned rug. There is art and historical texts from the owner’s private collection housed all over the property, and they’re kept in museum-like conditions beyond the glass as well.

The rooms were in the same contemporary style. Our room had a brown leather bed frame with a gorgeous fabric headboard depicting a scene of the Tuscan countryside. There was a lot of warm wood tones combined with brass lighting. Recessed lighting in the room brought everything together giving a chic polished vibe.

Rooms

There are a total of 146 rooms and suites across this sprawling property. Most of the rooms are located in the main building while a handful of entry-level rooms are in the old tobacco warehouse across from the lobby. There are 3 standalone villas on property, as well as a medieval castle turned designer suite. More about that later.

We stayed in a “Deluxe Dolce Vita with Terrace” which was my specific request as I wanted those amazing views. Our room was on the right side of the main building overlooking the outdoor spa pavilions and the hillside. The room was about 360 sq ft. which was perfectly adequate for two adults. Our king sized bed was deliciously comfortable and the perfect cure for our jetlag. The bathroom was a little tight, and only one vanity, but we made due. My favorite part of the room was the balcony which came furnished with a little bistro set amongst a backdrop of jasmine and colorful flowers.

I loved that the room included a complimentary minibar stocked with waters, juices, sodas, and even milk. There were cute snacks in jars which we ended up taking with us for our roadtrip to Florence. Alcohol isn’t placed in the minibar but can be ordered if desired. Bathroom amenities were furnished by Stefano Ricci. A complimentary tote bag was hanging in the closet. There was no nickel-and-dime feeling here. All in all, a well stocked room!

Room Tours

Castelfalfi is on top of their media game. They have virtual walkthroughs of most room categories, and even specific room numbers if you’re particular about views. I highly recommend taking a look at their virtual walkthroughs here. I also have pictures and floor plans of most room categories and specific room numbers. Reach out to me if you’d like to see those!

Stefano Ricci La Rocca

During my stay, I toured many rooms and suites, but none were as impressive as La Rocca. This is the highest category suite before you get into the villas. La Rocca is a two bedroom penthouse unit located in an ancient medieval castle right at the end of the borgo.

Not only does this penthouse unit come with a live-in butler and access to Alpemare beach club in Forte dei Marmi, but fashion and design lovers will appreciate the special touches by Florence’s Stefano Ricci. The New York Times referred to Stefano Ricci as “clothier to the 0.001%” in 2017 so you know everything in La Rocca is of the highest quality.

Walking through La Rocca felt like wandering through a museum. From the dark lacquered wood to the animal skin couches and Murano glass lighting, this penthouse suite is a designer’s dream. Even though the design feels dark and masculine, it’s complemented by some of the best colorful views of the countryside out of the many windows. To top it all off, there’s a terrace with a hot tub.

Borgo (town)

The word “borgo” is used to describe a small medieval village or hamlet usually on a hilltop. Castelfalfi is a hamlet within the Montaione municipality with Etruscan roots dating back over 1300 years ago. History lesson aside, it’s a cool experience to have your hotel nestled within a borgo. Not only can you see glimpses of its historical roots, but having shops nearby in the countryside is super convenient.

The borgo is about a 3-minute walk from the hotel, and again the flowers are beautifully manicured, the roads are nicely paved, and the street lights provide exceptional lighting for anyone wanting to walk through the borgo at night. In fact, the owner of the hotel, Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia, owns the town of Castelfalfi as well so everything is maintained to the highest degree. The only downside is that the shop hours are inconvenient. Most shops open around 10:30 AM and close by 7:00 PM.

What can you find in the borgo? It’s not a large area, but you can find a Castelfalfi gift shop, a few clothing shops (including Stefano Ricci), a gelato shop, a pizza shop, Erbario Toscano fragrance shop, and even a church that holds mass on Sundays. From the main street of the borgo, there is a beautiful Medici garden (yes, there is a Medici connection somewhere in the town’s history) overlooking hillside views. This is why my first impression of Castelfalfi was of a movie set – everything you need is right there. It feels like being in a luxurious bubble.

Restaurants

There are 3 restaurants and 2 bars at Castelfalfi. There are also several small towns near Castelfalfi that have restaurants you can dine at, but you’ll definitely enjoy the food at the hotel. The three restaurant options at the hotel consist of Il Rosmarino (casual Tuscan-focused), Olivina (classic Italian with amazing views), and La Rocca di Castelfalfi (fine dining at the castle). There is also a pool bar called Giglio serving light snacks, and Bar Ecrù serving some of the meanest cocktails and gorgeous views.

We dined at Il Rosmarino on our first night. The restaurant is about a 5-minute walk or 2-minute golf cart ride from the hotel down a flower-filled path. Il Rosmarino focuses on Tuscan dishes as well as pastas and pizza. It’s a casual restaurant that’s going to be a hit with the family since there are tons of options. We had the spinach gnudi and fried artichoke risotto which were delicious. We finished off with a tiramisu that hit the spot (did I mention tiramisu is my favorite dessert ever?).

We had breakfast at Olivina every morning and then dinner on our last night. The breakfast spread at Olivina was some of the best I’ve ever seen, plus there was a menu of hot items you could choose from. I was surprised to see dedicated sections for gluten free, vegan, and even an Indian selection. Dinner here on our last night was amazing, and not just because of the beautiful views. We ordered beef tartare, truffle risotto, roasted chicken, and finally a tiramisu. Everything was great but the tiramisu was my favorite of the whole trip, and it was made fresh tableside. Drool!

Bars

We had a light sandwich and espresso at Giglio Pool Bar one afternoon, and it was nice because the seating area is surrounded by those misting umbrellas. There are two large outdoor pools near this bar, and it seemed to be popular with the families. If you keep walking past Giglio and the pool area, you’ll come across a path that leads directly into the Medici Garden in the borgo.

Bar Ecrù was undoubtedly the place to be when the sun was setting. The bar faces the most stunning views of the open valley sky turning a delightful array of colors by 9:00 PM in the summer. Every evening there was a singer belting out jazzy renditions of pop songs setting a nice vibe when everyone’s enjoying their aperitivo. The bar area basically cleared out when the sun set, and I’d love to see the hotel add a fire pit or lawn games or something to keep people enjoying the outdoors in the evening.

Bar Ecrù also has an indoor section for those in need of air conditioning. One evening we ordered drinks and tiramisu from the bar and sat in the lounge before Olivina where there were a bunch of board games and a stone chess set. We spent the evening playing chess, sipping drinks, obsessing over the tiramisu, and enjoying each other’s company. I love when hotels make space for guests to enjoy a quiet game or two.

Amenities

Castelfalfi offers a range of amenities that will have most guests want for nothing. I mentioned earlier some of the in-room amenities like the complimentary minibar and Stefano Ricci toiletries. Of course, you’ll find bathrobes and slippers in the rooms along with a lovely turndown gift each evening. We received a tingly muscle gel and a mini Erbario Toscano home spray during our stay. This is a hotel that thinks about those small touches, like leaving a Castelfalfi branded cleaning cloth under my glasses when I’m out for the day. I really love that.

In terms of hotel amenities, you’ll find two large outdoor pools and an indoor/outdoor infinity pool housed in the spa. There’s a sizable gym with a private personal training room as well. Recently, Castelfalfi built an outdoor platform which can be used for yoga or meditation, though we used it for stargazing one evening. The 27-hole golf course is currently being revamped and is slated to be one of the largest and best in Tuscany when finished.

There are meeting rooms and the ability to privatize entire floors in the main building for retreats. Families will be happy to know that Castelfalfi offers a complimentary kids club called “Falfy Kids Club” with an outdoor playground and activities focusing on the Montessori method of learning. Finally, with 2,700 acres it would make sense that Castelfalfi have vineyards and olive groves. In addition to a winery, they also have an apiary and craft spirits like Vermouth to use in their cocktails. You can buy those items at their farm shop.

Activities

I highly recommend asking for a map from the concierge when you arrive at the hotel. 2,700 acres is massive and there are several marked hiking trails that go around the estate. When you book Castelfalfi, the team promptly follows up with their activity offerings which is nothing short of impressive. You’ll find truffle hunting led by their own hunter on Castelfalfi grounds. Wine and olive oil tastings from the property’s organic farms. Guided e-bike tours around the estate, and even complimentary estate hikes some mornings.

Castelfalfi puts on special events for guests as well, like movie nights under the stars and stargazing. We were so lucky that we were able to attend the stargazing activity the evening of our arrival. It was magical! On the Belvedere Terrace two professional stargazers had set up their very expensive telescopes and showed us some of their favorite constellations with the help of their powerful laser pointers. I never would’ve imagined the night sky being so clear in Tuscany, but we could even see satellites passing overhead. This special experience was complimentary for hotel guests, and one that I won’t forget any time soon.

Castelfalfi Adventure Park

Not only are there a plethora of activities to take part in on property, but Castelfalfi has their own adventure park just 10-minutes from the hotel. The adventure park offers additional activities from survival workshops and orienteering lessons to falconry, archery, ziplines, rock climbing, and rope bridges. Families and adventurous guests alike will have a blast here. I don’t know a lot of hotels in Tuscany that offer so much to do nearby.

Spa

The spa at Castelfalfi is nothing short of amazing. The treatments are in partnership with RAKxa, a Bangkok-based wellness retreat focusing on integrating the mind, body, and lifestyle. Aside from Bangkok, there are only two other RAKxa spas: one at the St. Regis Aspen and the other at Castelfalfi in Tuscany. The massage therapists are trained in Thai-style treatments, and the spa prides itself on blending Thai techniques with Tuscan inspiration. The spa uses and sells products from Paris-based luxury brand Biologique Recherche.

I mentioned that there was an indoor/outdoor infinity pool housed in the spa, and there are also plenty of chic lounge chairs for enjoying the pool area. Within the indoor pool portion, there are hydrotherapy circuits under the water. There are also a two saunas, a steam bath, and sensory showers within a room with sparkly stars on the ceiling. For those who like a blow out, there is a salon as part of the spa. Finally, you’ll find 7 treatment rooms and two outdoor massage pavilions.

Service

Exceptional. I mean, even before my visit the concierge was always quick to respond to my inquiries. On property, they were always getting whoever walked through the door with a smile on their faces. The front desk team was always happy to help as well. The hotel manager was shaking hands with everyone checking in when we arrived. The valet guys were always asking us how our days were or what we’re up to. I could go on – everyone was so nice.

As a funny aside, when we had dinner at Il Rosmarino, my husband asked for an espresso at like 7:00 PM to beat the jetlag. The waiter, who was also the restaurant manager, audibly gasped and his eyes got wide and he exclaimed, “espresso, now?!” I told my husband it’d be a cardinal sin to ask, but the manager obliged without judgement and we had a good laugh about it. It’s nice to not feel ashamed to ask for what you want and I give a lot of kudos to the staff for going above and beyond.

Who Would I Send Here?

It’s not often that I feel a luxury hotel can successfully cater to so many different groups of people, but I definitely feel that Castelfalfi has something for everyone. It’s romantic and intimate (and beautiful) enough to be the perfect destination for honeymooners. There are plenty of things to do for families that I think this would make a great hotel for families. With the layout of the hotel, I could see Castelfalfi being a perfect place for a wellness retreat, corporate retreat, and destination wedding. Nature lovers will especially love the grounds.

Above all, I would send clients here looking for a luxury Tuscany experience within a contemporary setting. Clients who enjoy newly renovated modern hotels with 5* service. If anyone were to ask me for a luxury hotel with amazing views, I would send them here. Adventurous travelers who want to visit other iconic towns and take a day trip into Florence – this is perfect. Solo writers looking for a pretty place to hole up and finish their book. I could go on.

I would reconsider recommending this property if I had a client looking for a small boutique experience. If I had honeymooners who absolutely did not want to be around kids. If my clients were only in Tuscany for one night and then Florence the remaining time. This is because Castelfalfi is an experience in itself, and the design of the property makes you want to stay and enjoy and take a beat to relax for many days.

Kat’s Final Thoughts

Writing this blog post made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside reminiscing on my time at Castelfalfi. I wish there was smell-o-vision because aside from the beautiful pictures of the hotel, the property smelled like sweet jasmine, blooming roses, juicy citrus, and pine-kissed breezes. The hotel sounded like birdsong, the joyous laughter of kids, and the clinking of glasses. The food was amazing at both restaurants we dined at, and not to mention I had my favorite tiramisu here. The softness of the bed and sheets at the end of the night felt like a welcome embrace. All of my senses were tickled at Castelfalfi, and that is what made it so memorable.

I wouldn’t hesitate to go back the next time I need a beautiful Tuscan retreat.