Fonteverde

In addition to its topnotch wellness center and extensive spa facilities, the Fonteverde's somewhat distant location within the Tuscan valley makes it an attractive place for exclusive guests -- actors, VIPs and the like -- to unwind. (A famous Italian actress confused the Oyster.com photographer with the paparazzi, usually found perched on neighboring hilltops, and politely insisted on not being photographed.) Celebrity or not, all guests are invited to take in the hotel's upscale contemporary decor and soak in the luxurious treatment.From the street, a red-bricked wall with a wrought-iron gate greets guests. The Fonteverde's outdoor grounds are the size of a small village and contain several well-manicured garden spaces, with a red-bricked triple arch leading to a thin "creek" flowing into one of the hotel's many thermal pools. There's plenty of outdoor sitting/lounging space, especially around the pools, and paved pathways make exploration easy.The hotel's main building reads like a grand three-story manor prefaced with a large double-wide driveway. The first floor houses the upscale Ferdinando I restaurant and provides floor space for the large terrace above. The contemporary lobby has polished tiled floors, coffered ceilings, wooden furniture, and a large geometrical front desk. A few classical-style brown leather chairs sit against a wall adorned with portraiture of people in Tudor ruffs, while paintings of figures in flowing red robes line the wall behind the front desk. The rest of the hotel's interior continues the gorgeous, lavish motifs.

Located a three-minute drive outside the Tuscan thermal village of San Casciano, the scenery surrounding the Fonteverde is absolutely stunning. Panoramic views of hills peppered with cypress trees rise and fall toward the horizon, with fields of flowers popping up in spring. To say the least, the view is both typical and idyllic -- and best of all, uninterrupted. The hotel has no neighbors, giving guests seclusion and privacy. The closest airport, in Florence, is nearly 100 miles north. Most of the popular tourist points of interest are between 30-60+ minutes away by car. Guests who come to this specific locale typically come for the experience of the hotel itself.

With plush (if slightly dated) carpeting, comfy beds, and floor-to-ceiling windows with flowing drapes, the Fonteverde's 66 rooms and 14 suites are just as beautiful as the rest of the hotel. Spaces come with flat-screen TVs, a minibar, and thick bathrobes, with some rooms offering private balconies with valley and pool views. Fairly average size, the bathrooms are covered in cream-colored marble with black tile accents, having either a shower or tub (sometimes both) and bidets. All suites in the villas are apartment-style and have much larger terraces/balconies than other categories.

As this is a health-centered resort, it's not surprising that most of the features focus on wellness. The Fonteverde takes advantage of its geothermal location and has seven different spa pools in addition to one regular outdoor pool. (There's a separate spa area exclusively for guest use.) The spa includes a vast selection of treatments, and guests can take advantage of the hotel's sauna, steam room, and yoga classes as well. The Fonteverde also provides a wellness center complete with on-site medical staff, checkup services, and individually tailored nutritional programs.The hotel has a gourmet restaurant serving local Tuscan cuisine as well as a more casual pool cafe serving healthy bites. A unique feature of the property's free continental breakfast is the option of drinking thermal waters with your meal. Non-health-centered features include free Wi-Fi and parking as well as babysitting and airport transfers for a fee.