Hotel Villa Casagrande

Originally built by the powerful Serristori nobles as their country villa, Hotel Villa Casagrande is an elegant, rustic boutique property with fascinating Medici-era history and striking original features. The villa is literally built into the same medieval stone wall that encircles the town -- a dramatic, two-story structure that cuts right through the lobby area. With high ceilings set by the ramparts themselves, it’s a striking space adorned by stone, marble, and leather furniture. The rest of the hotel -- with its vaulted loggia, medieval courtyard, and unique collection of cultural relics -- is an atmospheric journey back to Medici-era Tuscany, when the Serristori family held considerable wealth and power.

Nearly all of the original villa remains intact: the spa and gym are converted from a medieval pottery factory that was run by the family, while the 15th-century winery still produces chianti wines today. Though it doesn’t benefit from a secluded countryside location, the quaint pastoral town of Figline Valdarno its tranquil, and the sounds of running water, chirping birds, and echoing footsteps are relaxing all the same. The property attracts a range of business guests, along with leisure couples and families from Western Europe and the U.S.

Hotel Villa Casagrande is situated just east of Tuscany’s famed Chianti wine region, set into the medieval walls Figline Valdarno. There’s direct access via a back door into the historic town center, where the charming market square -- with a variety of cafes, shops, and restaurants -- is less than a five-minute walk. The train station, with fast connections to Florence, Pisa, and beyond, is 10 minutes away on foot. The heart of the Chianti wine region can be reached in roughly 30 minutes by car, and it’s a straightforward 45-minute drive to both Florence and Arezzo. Both Siena and Florence’s airports are just over an hour away by car.

Hotel Villa Casagrande is a boutique collection of 65 rooms and 12 apartments, the majority of which are individually decorated, and nearly all of which contain original period features including terra-cotta floors and wood-beamed ceilings. While most rooms have a rustic Tuscan style and classic feel, some of the entry-level rooms feature a more modern look. All feature modern comforts, including minibars, individually controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- though the signal can be unreliable. Bathrooms are modern and come in a variety of different styles, most with showers (although suites feature shower/tub combos).

Basic room types include Classic and Superior Rooms, while Deluxe Rooms have a more modern, romantic style that's suited to couples. Suites are larger, with separate lounge areas, and the aptly named Vinsantaia Suite -- set over two floors with a cozy mezzanine level -- retains the atmospheric original features from its days as a storage room for the villa’s locally produced vin santo. All rooms lack tea and coffee facilities, but free stations are found throughout where guests can help themselves. Apartments have a classic rustic style, with separate kitchens, bedrooms, and living areas. Some accommodate up to six people, making them ideal for families.  

A healthy dose of facilities and on-site activities make Hotel Villa Casagrande more akin to a countryside resort. The villa’s traditional Tuscan restaurant -- which also serves a decent buffet breakfast with hot options (half-board plans available) -- hosts popular cooking classes for a reasonable fee. The hotel's popular wine tasting course, hosted by the villa’s 15th-century winery, is accompanied by a fascinating tour of the Serristori family’s original private living quarters. Those living quarters include a bedroom built exclusively to host Pope Leone X in the 16th century (no one else has slept there in the 500 years since). 

An elegant spa provides the option of wellness treatments and access to a cave-inspired hot tub for a fee, with free access to the gym as well as the beautiful indoor pool -- all strikingly set against the town’s medieval wall. Access to the outdoor pool is also free, but requires a small trek across the road and up the hill. It’s worth it for the picturesque panoramic views, but sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra and non-hotel guests tend to flock here in the summer. A wine bar is handy for winding down in evenings, and the hill also houses the villa’s second restaurant, which specializes in modern seafood fare. 

Back on the main premises, a pleasant courtyard is well-suited for relaxed breakfasts and romantic dinners, while a stately Italian garden adds tranquillity. Reception is conveniently open 24 hours, and the villa has a business center and meeting room to accommodate business guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though the signal can be spotty. The villa also has free private parking.