Golf Hotel Punta Ala

Opened in 1964, this golf hotel was most recently renovated in 2011, but the modern decor and a decadent patina can't hide the dated building design. The lobby is a wide expanse of gray marble flooring and white walls, sparsely furnished with minimalist seating and hanging globe lamps. Several sunrooms extend off the main lobby with seating and views of the garden grounds. Behind the front desk, a wall holds cubbyholes for each room, making for an eye-catching visual effect that evokes the dimpled surface of a golf ball. Deeper in, the hotel shows its age, with drop ceilings and awkwardly placed furniture and artwork attempting to dress up a lot of wasted space. 

This hotel stands in a residential section of the seaside resort village of Punta Ala, within a few minutes' walk of the stores and cafes of the Il Gualdo shopping center and a few miles from the town's small port. It's a 20-minute drive to the popular medieval town of Castiglione Della Pescaia, of which Punta Ala is a frazione (or civil parish). Other regional attractions include the town of Massa Marittima (40-minute drive) and the city of Grosseto (45-minute drive). Expect a three-hour drive to Rome.

On the outskirts of Castiglione della Pescaia, the town of Punta Ala is situated on the slopes of the Tuscan coast in the province of Grosseto. The island of Elba is due west in the Tyrrhenian Sea and visible from the beaches and higher hills. Luxury villas dot the landscape that overlooks Punta Ala's main attraction, which is the sprawling Punta Ala Golf course (conveniently attached to this hotel).

The rooms at the Golf Hotel Punta Ala consist mostly of 106 different suites, with only 24 standard rooms (called Classic Rooms). The latter are cramped, almost claustrophobic, with a light pastel decor and signs of wear and tear in some rooms. The modern, sparse furnishings in each Classic Room consist largely of a desk with two chairs, a floor lamp, and a flat-screen TV on the wall opposite the bed. The bathrooms are equally small with scant space for belongings, but pack in a bidet next to a walk-in shower. The suites are done in an entirely different, more traditional style, with carved wood furniture, brightly patterned fabrics, and fine tile. Most also have balconies or patios with views of the gardens. All rooms have mini-fridges and safes, but no coffeemakers. Also, only wired Internet is offered in the rooms.

The 12-acre park provides a lot of green space around the hotel with plenty of room for the tennis court, small soccer field, and outdoor pool. A large sundeck is surrounded by a yard with many covered seating areas and a patio connected to the indoor bar that offers live entertainment in the evenings. For dining, the on-site restaurant (the other is at the beach) specializes in cuisine typical of the Maremma coast and like the separate breakfast lounge, has views of the hotel's grounds from wall-to-wall windows. The renovated spa has a quirky, modern look and features an array of amenities, including an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, Kneipp therapy pools, and a tanning bed. The hotel also has a decent-size gym with modern Life Fitness equipment, as well as free weights.

A short walk or shuttle ride away is the adjacent Golf Club Punta Ala, whose highly rated 18-hole course has beautiful views of the sea and surrounding hills. The clubhouse has its own amenities including a driving range, golf carts, pro shop, and a bar.

The hotel's beachfront property is even further off-site, making for a bit of a walk to get there. A free shuttle is provided that regularly ferries guests back and forth. There's an open-air restaurant and a beach bar/snack bar (with a gelato stand) that has a large terrace overlooking the sea. Umbrella and lounge chairs are provided at the beach, but seating arrangements are assigned according to room price/category, so if you want to sit in the front row you must be in a top suite, with standard room guests seated in the back, furthest from the water.