Villa di Piazzano

Tall cypresses lining the driveway approach make for swish first impressions at this 1464-built former cardinal's home, which Australian-Italian family owners have beautifully preserved. They've picked a scenic spot, and rolling countryside views are gorgeous from smartly furnished terraces, the sunny outdoor pool, and many rooms. Stone paths and shrubbery divide up impeccable gardens around ivy-clad exteriors, and original stone here catches the light. Elegant interiors sport terra-cotta, red-brick, or wood floors, carved wood furniture, cream upholstering, and gilt-framed oil paintings. The aromatic vegetable garden contributes significantly to the restaurant's gourmet fare, and candle-lit dinners around an open fire have al fresco counterparts on a 2016-built outdoor terrace. Evening appetizers accompanying wines and cocktails (at a fee) offer the international crowd here a chance to mingle. While many choose to explore the region, cooking classes keep some guests on-site, and many are happy just gazing at the view. Couples are the primary guests here, plus some small wedding groups and families.

The hotel's remote location adds to its charm, but being isolated isn't for everyone. Hills and valleys forming the Tuscan/Umbria border here are beautiful, and the hotel's bike rentals are ideal for exploring them. Nevertheless, a vehicle is recommended, particularly since the nearest town of Cortona is a 15-minute drive. Its medieval streets are great to wander, and Palazzo Casali's fifth-century chandelier is worth a visit, as are artisan stores and historic Piazza della Repubblica. Cortona's excellent restaurants continue in farther towns -- Montepulciano and Arezzo are within a 45-minute drive. Trains from Florence and Rome run to the Terontola-Cortona station, a 17-minute drive from the hotel. The nearest Umbria International Airport (Perugia) is a 52-minute drive, and it's 90 minutes by car from Florence Airport.

Tasteful rooms are divided between the main building and adjacent annexes. Classics start at 194 square feet (18 square meters) and rise to larger Superiors and Deluxes, while Suites with living rooms and poster or canopied beds span 291 to 398 square feet (27 to 37 square meters). Decor varies a bit, but it's all traditionally elegant, including wrought-iron and hand-painted wood furniture, red French-inspired upholstered headboards, and patterned rugs. Original wood-beam ceilings have Tuscan character, and some are painted white. Modern amenities include phones, desks, satellite flat-screen TVs, minibars, and bottled water, plus hairdryers, safes, AC and equipment for the preparation of tea and coffee. No electric kettles are provided, however. Russet-accented white bathrooms have shower/tub combos or walk-in showers, upscale toiletries in wicker baskets, slippers, and robes. Rooms can be fitted with cribs. Garden or countryside views are lovely, and rooms are quiet. Free Wi-FI comes standard, but it can be slow.

This hotel is notably lacking a spa and gym, but its available features are top-notch. Served on outdoor terraces, free quality breakfasts are buffet-style, consisting of a rich continental spread with homemade cakes, coffee and tea, and scrambled eggs as the only cooked option. The vegetable garden is popular, both for cooking classes (at a fee), and its straight-to-chef produce for the on-site L’Antica Casina di Caccia restaurant, where Tuscan cuisine is well-reviewed. Note, the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Reservations are recommended. Its floral-adorned tables are classic, as is the bar, though al fresco terrace dining overlooking fields is more popular.

Evening appetizers on the terrace are free, and guests can purchase wine and cocktails. White pillars supporting trellis greenery give the space a classy edge, and terra-cotta potted plants surround its tiled layout. Seating spots around gardens extend to (slightly tired) white loungers and parasols around the outdoor pool. It's a good-size and heated, and views of cypress trees and countryside horizons enhance the serene atmosphere here. At a fee, weekly wine tastings in the hotel's cellar are a popular grown-ups activity, and bike rentals offer family fun. The hotel has a meeting room. On-site parking is free and plentiful, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.