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.

Superb hotel in Siena. Staff was superb. Location is right at the edge of the walled city, so close…read moreto the sites but quiet. Our room overlooked to courtyard in the back, with long range Tuscan views over the wall. Breakfast was wonderful. Rooms are spacious and the beds are great. Happy to stay again when we return to Siena.

Super nice Very polite…read more Large rooms Walking distance to all things Siena. Reasonably priced

We just spent five days in Montecatini at the Grand and loved it! If you want Marriott . . .,…read moreHilton or any other chain, you should book somewhere else. If you like old world charm this is the place. Great friendly helpful staff (especially Valentina) hotel was clean. From here we visited Pisa, Lucca, Viareggio, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Siena, Gimignano & Florence. Yes we were active, and loved every minute. We found friendly and helpful people everywhere even if they did not speak English. We had a superior room with a terrace. We had no issues with noise with the windows closed( it was cold outside) . We did not have any issues with the WiFi in our room, but we were not in Italy to be on line. Our bathroom was large & updated, nice hot shower with good pressure. Our bed was comfortable, furniture in the room was dated but adequate. The breakfast was good. We got tired of bacon & eggs so we went across the street for delicious pastries a couple of mornings. Yes the elevator was small & slow so we used the beautiful staircase. I would return in a heartbeat!

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!

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?

Staying at La Torretta felt less like staying at a hotel and more like having our own little home…read moreaway from home in the heart of Manarola. Tucked into the village and surrounded by its charming, traditional character, it gave us a much more local experience of Cinque Terre-- and that ended up being one of my favorite parts. Our room was cozy and intimate, small but incredibly practical, and just perfect for the two of us. The highlight was our little private terrace overlooking the Ligurian Sea. There was something so special about sitting there, espresso in hand, taking in that view and simply watching life unfold around us. One of the most magical moments happened completely unexpectedly. One evening, coming back from a date night dinner, there was a local soccer game happening right in the piazza outside the lodge, in front of the church. We could hear the energy from our terrace and experience this wonderfully authentic slice of village life. It felt intimate, spontaneous, and very special-- one of those travel moments you simply can't plan. Breakfast was wonderful, with everything you could want: fresh pastries, fruit, eggs, coffee and more. And one afternoon, we asked if we could have an espresso on the terrace, and they brought it right to us. That little touch felt so incredibly Italian. The staff was another highlight. Everyone was genuinely warm, attentive, and incredibly helpful, taking care of everything we needed and making the stay feel effortless. La Torretta isn't about a big, flashy hotel experience-- and that's exactly why I loved it. It's about waking up in the middle of a real Ligurian village, having your morning coffee overlooking the sea, and feeling, even if just for a few days, like Manarola is home. A truly charming and intimate stay, and one I would happily return to.

CINQUE TERRE, ITALY LA TORRETTA LODGE - MANOROLA…read more UP FRONT: When you visit Cinque Terre in Italy, (literally "five lands"), you have five choices on where to stay out of the five fishing villages. If you're like most tourists, you're going to visit all of them, but one has to be your "home base". After visiting all of them, I think your best bet is either Manorola or Monterosso. The scenery in both places is astounding. Manorola is small and quiet and has some cliffs you can dive off at the bottom of the hill. Monterosso is a bit more sprawling and has a good stretch of beach. We stayed in Manorola two nights. Got the tip about La Torretta on Trip Advisor. This hotel is a dream. From start to finish, it felt too good to be true. Check in was a breeze - it was only us in the lobby - and we sipped Prosecco on the patio while the front desk copied our passports and finished up the paper work. Our room #7 was at the very top with the most breathtaking view (see photo). Bed was very comfortable, and the bathtub (we didn't use it) is literally the biggest I've ever seen - HUGE. No problems with the room - temperature control was good, mini-bar was complimentary. Be aware there is no phone in the room, and if you need something, you need to go down the steps to the office or call down from the window as you see the hotel staff moving about the property. lol. I did that once, we needed towels for the room, but no phone, so I just called out to the maid while I was standing on the balcony. It worked. The hotel sits on top of the hill. You walk down the hill to all the shops and restaurants. There's everything you need, ATM machine, train station, pharmacy, and more. At the bottom of the hill is the ocean, no beach, but there are places where you can lay out and many people do. There's also swimming allowed and the water is so cold and refreshing. You can dive in from many areas, and climb to the cliffs where you will be afraid to jump, but do it, it's so much fun. It took me 15 minutes to get enough courage to get off the cliff, but with the encouragement of fellow cliff divers, I was able to do it. Kept going back up to the top to do it again. There's breakfast in the mornings, all kinds of goodies - meats and cheeses, croissants, pastries and of course coffee. The hotel staff work hard to make sure you have everything you need. But keep in mind, they are not at the front desk 24/7. They close at 9:30 PM and they weren't clear about that when we checked in - neither did they say there was no phone in room. When we left, we were taking a train at the bottom of the hill, and they brought our luggage down with a golf cart. All the good things that have been said in the reviews are true - nothing hyped up about this place. Worth every dollar we spent on the room. Recommended restaurant around the corner: TRATTORIA DAL BILLY

This is a place high up that has the most beautiful view overlooking the hills of Tuscany. The pool…read morehas a perfect view of the mountains, and the dining space is so classic Tuscan with their garden and rustic scene. We stayed in the villa which had perfect wifi, nice bedroom sizes (bed kinda felt like a cot though) and a kitchen with cookware/utensils/wine glasses etc. We had dinner here one night where I had my favorite gnocchi of the whole trip (melts in your mouth) and their breakfast spread was really delicious with cheese, meats, and the freshest juiciest tomatoes I've ever had. Besides all of these wonderful features, the price was also unbeatable. Unfortunately, we weren't prepared for the curvy roads and we had rented a huge SUV (Italy is not made for big cars!!), so that made our stay more stressful than it had to be because I feared anytime we had to drive / leave the premises for the winery, dinner etc. The staff was unbelievably generous and understanding when we adjusted our plans to only stay 2 rather than 4 nights, and we could not be more grateful. We were sad to leave because the villa was the perfect size for our group of 5, and the hotel was perfect besides the distance from our plans / roads. I'd recommend staying here if you are looking to relax and stay on premises for most of the weekend; it has a very quiet, homey bed+breakfast feel that we loved.

We booked the hotel for 4 nights, but only stayed 2. Although google maps has it an hour away from…read morethe city. The roads are not what we are used to in the states. Very windy, blind turns and narrow. Oh and the locals drive quickly. Because of our fears of having a head on collision we left the hotel earlier than expected. The owners/managers were very accommodating to the unexpected change. They handled the situation perfectly. The hotel its self was everything I would of wanted in a Tuscany stay. The most beautiful views, great food and very nice room. We stayed in the villa in the back of the building. 2 floors, with 3 potential beds, it was really nice and comfortable. The pool area was very clean, very pretty and a nice size pool. The restaurant at the hotel was one of our favorite meals we had. Limited selection of food but a changing menu (daily), they want you to order ahead of time, and they have 3 course or 4 course option. We were not that hungry and only ordered 2-3 courses per person and they adjusted the price accordingly. Another amazing job by management. If you are brave enough for the roads and don't mind driving 1 hr + to any of the highlights of Tuscany this hotel is more than a treat.