Best hotels in Tuscany

The story of how this place came to be is almost too good. In the late 1860s, when Florence was briefly Italy's capital, a German banking baron built an outrageously opulent villa for his Florentine bride — then very nearly burned it to the ground in a jealous rage. He didn't, thankfully, and Villa Cora is today one of the city's finest spots to stay. Tucked into rose-filled gardens on the south side of the Arno, a short stroll from the Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo, it feels a world away from the tourist crush of the Duomo. The staff are genuinely lovely, the interiors are gloriously eclectic, and there's a heated outdoor pool. In Florence. Year-round.

Somewhere in the rolling countryside southwest of Siena, down a long gravel drive lined with cypresses, sits an 800-year-old villa that once nursed medieval pilgrims back to health. Today it performs a similar service, albeit with Michelin-starred dinners and a spa that produces its own skincare line. Danish owners, Claus and Jeanette Thottrup, have spent two decades transforming the estate into a 300-acre working farm with vineyards, an artisan dairy, kitchen gardens and even alpacas. The result is a place is lived-in rather than designed, where the flowers on your bedside table were picked that morning and the cheese at breakfast was made down the hill. And it's all effortlessly lovely.

Aware of the magic of fully experiencing the microcosm of Castello di Ama, there are now five luxurious suites available to guests. Those who stay at Villa Ricucci will not have a "hotel", but will experience the privilege of entering a unique dimension where time seems to have stopped.

Due to its intimacy, Ama is a place that touches each of us directly, without the need for mediation. The owners have therefore decided to leave the word to the village and the wines, accompanying you on visits+tasting inspired by the themes that they feel closest to.

Tucked into the golden curve of Procchio Bay on Elba, the largest island jewel in the Tuscan Archipelago, this family-run hotel has been welcoming sun-seekers since 1955. Back then, it was the haunt of Nobel Prize-winning poets and Italian artists; today the De Ferrari family (four generations of hoteliers, no less) keep things polished but refreshing. With its private stretch of sand, seawater pool and Mediterranean gardens shaded by pines and oleanders, it's a proper Italian seaside retreat. Add two excellent restaurants, a clutch of bars, and an island small enough to explore in a day but interesting enough to fill a week, and you've got yourself a winner.

Bang in the centre of Montecatini's fashion district, this 102-room Art Deco revival takes the whole spa hotel thing rather seriously - we're talking 400 square metres of wellness wizardry spread across two floors, including an honest-to-goodness salt cave. It's the kind of place where they've named their spa experience "Emotion Time" without a hint of irony, and somehow made it work. The property underwent a complete Art Deco makeover that gives it a distinct 1920s movie-set vibe - each room decorated differently, like someone went wild with a vintage furniture catalogue and a bottomless budget. But here's the kicker: they've also got a sister property, Collina Toscana Resort, tucked away in the Tuscan hills 8km away, where hotel guests can escape for the day with access to the outdoor pool and proper countryside views. It's like getting two holidays for the price of one, if you don't mind the short shuttle ride.

Most visitors to Tuscany head for the well-trodden hills of Chianti or the honeypot towns further north. But those in the know make a beeline for the Maremma, a wild, sun-drenched stretch of southern coastline where cowboys still herd long-horned cattle and the beaches remain gloriously empty. It's here, on a 500-hectare estate of vineyards, olive groves and cypress-lined avenues, that you'll find the former summer residence of Grand Duke Leopold II, L'Andana. The Moretti family (of Bellavista and Petra wine fame) have turned it into a refined country retreat with a Michelin-starred restaurant, ESPA spa and the Tyrrhenian Sea just a few kilometres down the road.

In pride of place on the Piazza della Repubblica, amongst the city’s leading landmarks, an iconic Florentine hotel. Dressed Olga Polizzi, in signature prints and Renaissance antiques. Catered by Fulvio Pierangelini, in definitive Tuscan style. Filled with character, a breath of fresh air in a city steeped in history. The Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Via de Tornabuoni… nowhere has neighbours like Hotel Savoy.

The elegant suites conjure a feeling of serenity that feels a world away from the busy Florentine streets.

The property boasts Italy's only private golf club, a renowned Brunello di Montalcino winery, gourmet dining, and a serene spa. Despite world-class amenities, the estate maintains an intimate atmosphere where guests can experience the timeless beauty of Val d'Orcia while enjoying exceptional privacy and personalized service.

Villa Bordoni is a ‘Patrician Villa’ – the former country residence of the Bordonis, a family of wealthy merchants from the city of Florence. The villa was acquired by David and Catherine Gardner in 2002, and lovingly restored over a period of more than 3 years to create a beautiful country hotel and restaurant in this historic villa, overlooking the valley of Greve and commanding exceptional views of the Chianti landscape.

Elba may be only an hour's ferry from mainland Tuscany, but the island has its own character: less polished than the Amalfi Coast, wilder than Sardinia, and laced with beaches the Italians have long kept quiet about. Biodola Bay on the north coast is one of the best, a pale sandy stretch bookended by low cliffs and backed by scented Mediterranean maquis. The Hotel Hermitage has occupied it since the 1960s, when the De Ferrari family built a scattering of cottages through a 50-acre park running down to the sea. Still family-run today, it's built for the long, slow Italian summer with three seawater pools, four restaurants and a private beach.

Part of the LHP Hotels empire (they of the "made in Italy style and design" manifesto), this 62-room property takes itself rather seriously as Montecatini's first proper design hotel. Built in 1910 but given the full monochrome makeover, it's all geometric patterns, chrome furnishings, and that black-and-white aesthetic that screams "we hired an expensive interior designer and by God you're going to notice." The whole thing reads like someone's mood board for urban sophistication came to life - water cascades at the entrance, a rooftop pool with 360-degree views, and a spa they've christened Monté that promises "exclusive wellness". But here's the thing: despite the try-hard design speak and occasional pretentiousness, they've actually created something rather special here, especially when you're floating in that rooftop pool watching the sun set over the Tuscan hills.

Kissed by the Tuscan sun and surrounded by the pristine blue Tyrrhenian sea, Hotel Il Pellicano is a timeless Mediterranean hideaway, home to all things slow, stylish and creative. Come embrace your sense of wonder and experience 'la dolce vita'. The best place to experience 'la dolce vita.' Guests can experience a taste for 'sprezzatura' – an Italian word that captures an offhand, casual elegance and Il Pellicano is the epitome of that.

Hospitality is an art, and Portrait Firenze has made of it a masterpiece. In a new concept of bespoke tourism, Portrait has taken uniform luxury and turned it into spontaneous personalisation. Portrait is not a luxury hotel in Florence; it is an incredibly personal place, an all-suite property, where discerning travellers find the exclusivity they relish

Imagine waking up in an 8th-century hamlet, where geraniums spill from stone windowsills and the morning mist slowly reveals Siena's striking silhouette in the distance. This isn't just any village though - it's a rather spectacular Relais & Châteaux property where every medieval building, from the chapel to the cobbled square, has been carefully transformed into something truly special. The active winery and surrounding vineyards aren't just for show either - they produce some seriously good bottles that are shipped across the globe.

Villa San Sanino, a small luxury farmhouse , is located in one of the oldest and most evocative places in Tuscany, land of the Renaissance, of proportions and balance, in the wine-growing area of ​​Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti Classico. Only 4 luxury suites , each unique. At Villa San Sanino, you'll find a romantic retreat with a relaxing atmosphere, tranquil pace, and a personal welcome, where you'll feel right at home.

If walls could talk, the frescoed ceilings of this 1870 grande dame would have stories that'd make your head spin. Picture this: Christian Dior taking his final breath in one of the suites, Grace Kelly swanning through the lobby, and a young Puccini composing at the piano whilst Marie Curie debated radioactivity over aperitivos. This isn't just any old Tuscan pile - it's where Italian Art Nouveau maestro Galileo Chini went properly wild with his paintbrush in 1901, creating celestial ceilings populated by floating cherubs and ethereal figures that still stop guests mid-stride today.Set bang in the centre of Montecatini Terme (yes, that's thermal springs central), the hotel sprawls across 20,000 square metres of century-old parkland. The 120 rooms maintain their period swagger with antique Liberty furniture and marble bathrooms that wouldn't look out of place in a Visconti film. But don't mistake all this historical pomp for dusty museum vibes - there's a thoroughly modern 800-square-metre spa lurking beneath all that Belle Époque beauty, complete with Rasul baths and enough treatment rooms to keep a small army of stressed executives purring.

La Roqqa is a destination within a destination, a project of land regeneration, a luxury boutique hotel where "new simplicity" is the stylistic signature. The warm, welcoming hospitality and the extraordinary views invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the place, savouring every moment.

Tucked behind Piazza della Signoria, practically leaning on the Uffizi, the Hotel Bernini Palace is a 15th-century palazzo with hospitality in its bones. Back when Florence briefly served as Italy's capital in the 1860s, parliamentarians and senators would pile in for backroom dealings over dinner – and you can still feel that buzz of importance today. Now a polished five-star with 74 rooms adorned in antiques and Murano glass, it's elegant, un-showy and thoroughly Italian. The concierge team (Les Clefs d'Or, no less) know every cobblestone in the centro storico, and the location genuinely couldn't be better for getting to know Florence on foot.

Perched among rolling hills and ancient vineyards, this 1000-year-old castle has perfected the art of combining historic grandeur with laid-back Italian charm. Think exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, and the kind of views that make you want to quit your job and become an olive farmer. The castle's courtyard feels like it's been plucked straight from a Renaissance painting, while the Michelin-starred restaurant proves that modern-day pleasures haven't been forgotten. Whether you're hunting for truffle-laden pasta or simply fancy a splash in the panoramic pool, this pocket of Tuscany knows how to deliver the goods.

The Relais Della Rovere, historical villa of Pope Giulio II in 1400, is today an exclusive 4 Star Hotel with 30 rooms in the heart of Tuscany countryside, in the medieval village of Colle Val d'Elsa. A corner of peace and wellness located in a natural park with swimming pool and restaurant. The Relais is the perfect place to relax and taste the typical Tuscan products, the location makes it an excellent starting point to reach the most famous places in the area.

Just when you think you've seen every iteration of the Tuscan spa hotel, along comes this Belle Époque beauty to prove you wrong. A stone's throw from Montecatini Terme's train station (the proper one, mind you - there are two), this Art Nouveau palazzo has been keeping the same family busy for over a century. And when we say family, we mean it - young Fabio used to play hide and seek in these very corridors whilst mamma Luciana worked, and now here he is, running the show with the same enthusiasm he had as a kid racing through the halls.

The 81-room property occupies a handsome 19th-century building that wears its Liberty-style credentials with proper pride - think high ceilings, period furniture that's actually from the period, and enough architectural flourishes to keep your eyes entertained over breakfast.

One of the first in the city, the hotel has been providing guests a unique and unforgettable view of Florence since 1860. Now completely renovated, it still preserves its original character, and is the ideal place from which to experience the city. Its rooms offer a perfect blend of classical features and contemporary style, and give you the oh so difficult choice between a view of the River Arno and one of the majestic Santa Croce. Its crowning achievement? The rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views of the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'.

Ever dreamt of living like 16th-century nobility? Step through the doors of this magnificent palazzo and you'll find yourself transported back in time to when members of the powerful Chigi family roamed its hallowed halls. Originally gifted by Pope Alexander VII to his niece as a rather lavish wedding present, today it stands as the only five-star hotel within Siena's ancient walls. Just a stone's throw from the iconic shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striking zebra-striped Duomo, you're perfectly positioned to soak up the city's medieval splendour. Inside, original frescoed ceilings, cotto tile floors worn smooth by aristocratic footsteps, and antique chandeliers create an atmosphere that whispers of bygone opulence while catering to modern luxury-seekers.

Overlooking the largest private garden in Europe just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Florence, the fragrance of plants and a blissful quiet fills the air. The result of a collaboration between the architect Francesco Maestrelli, with interior design by Matteo Perduca and his brother Marco, this Florentine gem is home to 16 rooms in the Oltrarno area south of the Arno river – the most artisanal and authentic Florentine district. Squares, museums, churches, shops and restaurants are all at a walking distance from this secret hideaway beyond the busy tourist streets.

Ring the doorbell and wait to be greeted as if arriving at a friend's particularly stylish townhouse - albeit one with impeccable taste in Tuscan wines and a knack for artful décor. This elegant hideaway feels distinctly un-hotel-like, with its shelves adorned in an "artfully haphazard" array of hardback books, fresh flowers, and artistic sketches. The warm, informal atmosphere creates an instant sense of belonging in a city that can sometimes overwhelm with its artistic grandeur. Perfectly positioned for immersive exploration, you're just moments from iconic Renaissance treasures, yet tucked away enough to feel like a local rather than a tourist. This is Florence experienced as it should be - intimate, personal and utterly authentic.

Perched atop a 13th-century medieval tower, this striking mansion whispers tales of centuries past while offering a rather spectacular vista of the city's architectural treasures. Step through the doors and find yourself transported to a world where historic grandeur meets modern sophistication - think carefully curated artworks adorning historic walls and designer touches that wouldn't look out of place in the fashion houses that line the street below. And speaking of that location - darling, it really doesn't get better than this. Pop out for a spot of window shopping at the glittering boutiques, stroll across the Santa Trinita bridge, or simply gaze at Brunelleschi's magnificent dome from your privileged viewpoint above the city.

It's not every day one gets to slumber inside a 6th-century Byzantine tower and medieval church, but here's your chance. This architectural marvel has been meticulously restored, preserving original characteristics while pampering guests with modern luxuries. Positioned precisely where you want to be – smack in the historic center – you can practically roll out of bed and bump into Brunelleschi's magnificent dome or stroll to Piazza della Signoria before your morning espresso has fully kicked in. The hotel offers two distinctive dining experiences: a two-Michelin-starred gem tucked inside the ancient tower, and a ground-floor osteria serving Tuscan classics with contemporary flair. And when Florence's bustle becomes too much, retreat to your soundproofed room for a peaceful night's rest worthy of the Medicis.

Perched elegantly on one of the most exquisite squares in the Tuscan capital, this refined establishment occupies an ancient building steeped in history and art. Step inside and you'll discover a world where traditional Florentine aesthetics meet luxurious comfort – think lacquered boiseries, French furnishings and distinguished antiques that transport you to a bygone era. Yet there's nothing outdated about the experience; the discreet but flawless service captures the essence of Tuscan hospitality, making it the preferred choice for those seeking an authentic slice of Florentine style. The allure extends beyond just location, with each corner thoughtfully curated to create an atmosphere of understated opulence.

Step through the doors of this refined boutique hotel and you'll feel instantly transported from the bustling streets into an oasis of sophistication. The palazzo blends traditional charm with contemporary style, creating an atmosphere that's both elegant and remarkably comfortable.

Located a mere seven-minute stroll from the magnificent Cathedral, you're perfectly positioned to explore all of Florence's treasures, yet the tranquil inner garden—fragrant with lemon and magnolia—offers a welcome retreat when the Renaissance wonders become overwhelming.

After a day marveling at Michelangelo's David or wandering the Uffizi Gallery, there's nothing quite like returning to sip an aperitivo in the leafy courtyard or unwind in the impressive spa facilities. The friendly staff strike that perfect balance of attentive yet unobtrusive service that elevates a good stay into a truly memorable one.