Villa Le Maschere | UNA Esperienze

The hotel is nestled in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, with gardens all around. Built in the second half of the 16th century, the historic property was once a favorite of sovereigns, artists, and noblemen. It fell into disrepair after it was abandoned in the 1960s, and was later restored over a five-year period in which the original stuccoes, floors, and frescoes were uncovered and brought back to life. Guests enter the property via a long gravel driveway trimmed with stones. The three-story Italian Renaissance villa stands proud at the end of the drive. Blue windows and doors accent the otherwise beige building. Inside, the lobby is luxurious and ornate, with period detailing all around. Aubergine sectionals with oversized lamps provide places for guests to gather in the lobby. The two-story Chini Pavilion, once the gardener's cottage, is less ornate and was inspired by Florentine artist Galileo Chini. Multiple exterior seating areas allow guests to relax outdoors and take in the Tuscan countryside. This hotel is most popular with couples, but it also attracts incentive groups and families -- weddings are popular here as well.

The hotel is situated on 18 hectares in the Tuscan hills of Mugello, about a 45-minute drive outside Florence. The area surrounding the hotel is suited for walking, biking, and riding horses, and also canoeing and windsurfing on Lake Bilancino, but don't expect many services in the area within walking distance. The city of Barberino di Mugello is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, as is the Poggio dei Medici golf club. There is also a collection of outlet stores about 10 minutes away by road. Scarperia and the Mugello racing circuit can be reached in about 15 minutes, while Vicchio is about 25 minutes away. Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence is less than a half-hour south. 

Guest rooms are located in the Villa Principale and the Chini Pavilion. They are individually decorated, and generally employ a lovely blend of classic and contemporary accents, with a variety of eye-catching fabrics and furnishings. All are spacious, elegant, and grand, and feature a variable list of decor that can include frescoes, majolica, sculptures, and stuccoes. Some rooms -- like the Superior Room in the Villa Principale that we visited -- are sharp, but almost look a bit underdecorated, with little in the way of art on the walls. However, that's not the case in many higher-category rooms, which benefit from the aforementioned design motifs. Modern features include minibars, desks, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning with remote control, safes, radios, and smoke detectors. Wi-Fi is free but unreliable. Bathrooms also are grand and sparkling clean. Done in white or tan tiling, some with marble floors, they come with contemporary fixtures, hairdryers, bathrobes, slippers, and upscale toiletries. All have at least bathtub/shower combos and many have separate showers and tubs. Views are of the pool or the beautiful inner courtyard.

A free buffet breakfast featuring Italian specialties like meats and cheeses is served daily in Il Cancello de Ghiereto, with alfresco dining on the terrace overlooking the park is available in spring and summer. The dining room's interior is fresh and bright, with rich green fabrics and garden furnishings reflecting the nearby park. The Il Piopponero, or Black Poplar, restaurant serves seasonal local cuisine for lunch and dinner in an elegant setting with gray tones throughout. French doors lead to the terrace, where guests can also dine outdoors in the warmer months. Cooking classes are available with the hotel's chef. The outdoor pool is a lovely space with trees on three sides along with glimpses of the Tuscan hills in the distance. Lounge chairs and umbrellas encourage poolside relaxing in the peaceful setting. The Wellness Center in the basement offers massage, facial, and body treatments and features a sauna, Turkish bath, showers, a relaxation area, and Jacuzzi with direct access to the outdoor swimming pool. Guests can work out with cardio and weight equipment in the fitness center on the first floor. The hotel has several elegant event spaces that are suitable for wedding celebrations, meetings, presentations, and the like. The hotel runs a free shuttle into Florence -- but speak to the concierge about the schedule. Additionally, guests in higher-category rooms (Junior Suite, Suite, and Prestige categories) receive free airport and train station transfers, though Elegant and Superior Room guests are not entitled to the same privilege.  Wi-Fi is free, but unreliable.