Tuscan Splendor: Five-Star Hotels for a Late-Summer Italian Escape
Picture Tuscany in late summer—golden vineyards, cypress-lined hills, and a glass of Chianti catching the sunset’s glow. Florence hums with Renaissance charm, while Tuscany’s countryside beckons. For your next escape, these are some of my favorite places that I’ve ever been. I handpicked five five-star hotels that make this Italian dream unforgettable: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze and Villa Cora in Florence, and Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Como Castello del Nero, and Borgo San Felice in Tuscany. From frescoed suites to Michelin-starred feasts, these retreats redefine luxury. I’m ready to craft your perfect stay! Email me at Mark@MDTraveling.com and let’s explore la dolce vita!
Florence Hotels
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Property: Tucked in Florence’s heart, the Four Seasons is a Renaissance masterpiece, blending two historic palazzos with 11 acres of botanical gardens. Frescoed halls and marble staircases meet modern elegance, about 15 minutes’ walkl from the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. It’s a piece of perfection.
Signature Suite: The Royal Suite (1,184 sq ft) stuns with original 18th-century frescoes, a grand four-poster bed, and views over the Palazzo della Gherardesca gardens. It’s a Florentine fairytale unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Dining: Savor Il Palagio, a Michelin-starred gem serving Tuscan dishes like pappardelle with wild boar ragù, paired with local wines. Atrium Bar offers cocktails and light bites under a glass ceiling, while Al Fresco brings poolside pizzas and spritzes.
Spa: The two-level spa is a sanctuary, with nine treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, and treatments like the Iris Renaissance massage using Santa Maria Novella oils. Unwind after a day of touring.
Villa Cora
Property: Perched above Florence’s Boboli Gardens, Villa Cora is a neoclassical jewel, once a baron’s residence. Its rose-filled gardens, gilded salons, and panoramic city views from the rooftop ooze old-world glamour, just a short jaunt up the hill from the city-center. Staying here is like staying in a museum, everything is impeccible.
Signature Suite: The Imperial Suite dazzles with frescoed ceilings, a canopied bed, and a private terrace overlooking Florence’s spires. It’s perfect for romantics craving a touch of aristocracy.
Dining: Le Bistrot in the Moorish Room serves Mediterranean flavors (seared sea bass with caponata) while Santa Garden Cocktail Club mixes garden-inspired drinks poolside. For a cozy vibe, Pasha offers Moroccan-inflected dishes in winter. The bar menu has an eclectic assortment of cocktails.
Spa: The subterranean spa is intimate, with a sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi. Try the Tuscan olive oil massage for a post-sightseeing reset. It’s small but mighty.
Tuscany Hotels
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
Property: Nestled in Val d’Orcia’s UNESCO-listed hills, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco spans a 900-year-old estate with its own Brunello di Montalcino winery. Vineyards, olive groves, and medieval ruins create a postcard-perfect retreat, blending rustic charm with five-star polish.
Signature Suite: The Villa Gauggiole (three bedrooms) is a private Tuscan home with a heated pool, chef’s kitchen, and vineyard views. It’s ideal for families or friends seeking seclusion.
Dining: Ristorante Campo del Drago, Michelin-starred, elevates Tuscan cuisine with dishes like truffle tagliatelle, sourced from the estate’s gardens. Osteria La Canonica offers casual fare, wood-fired pizzas, local charcuterie, in a cozy setting.
Spa: Tucked in the estate’s old winery, offers massages, facials, and yoga in a serene space with a sauna and Turkish bath. The Brunello-inspired vinotherapy facial is a must.
Como Castello del Nero
Property: A 12th-century castle in Chianti’s heart, Como Castello del Nero marries medieval grandeur with sleek design by Paola Navone. Its 740-acre estate of vineyards and olive groves feels like a private kingdom, yet Florence is just 30 minutes away.
Signature Suite: The Castello Suite boasts original frescoes, a four-poster bed, and hilltop views. It’s a romantic hideaway with a nod to the castle’s noble past.
Dining: La Torre, Michelin-starred, serves inventive Tuscan plates like pigeon with black garlic, using estate-grown produce. La Taverna keeps it hearty with classics like ribollita soup and bistecca alla fiorentina.
Spa: The COMO Shambhala Retreat is a wellness haven, offering yoga, meditation, and treatments like the Tuscan Herbal Poultice massage, complete wth outdoor hot tubs and serene views.
Borgo San Felice
Property: In the Chianti hills, Borgo San Felice transforms a medieval village into a five-star resort, complete with its own winery and olive groves. Cobblestone paths and terracotta roofs create a storybook vibe, perfect for unwinding in style.
Signature Suite: The Suite del Brunello offers vineyard views, antique furnishings, and a spacious terrace. It’s a cozy yet grand escape for wine lovers.
Dining: Il Poggio Rosso dazzles with creative Tuscan dishes—wild boar with juniper berries—paired with the estate’s Chianti Classico. Osteria del Grigio serves rustic pizzas and pastas in a lively, family-friendly setting.
Spa: The Botanic Spa uses local herbs for treatments like the lavender-infused massage, with a couples’ suite, Jacuzzi, and kneipp pools.
Summer Adventures in Tuscany
Late summer in Tuscany is a sensory feast—here’s how to fill your days:
Wine Tasting: Sip Brunello at Rosewood’s winery or Chianti Classico at Borgo San Felice’s estate, with private tours to Antinori nearby.
Horse Riding: Trot through Val d’Orcia’s hills on guided rides, arranged by Como Castello del Nero.
Cooking Classes: Master handmade pici pasta or tiramisù at Four Seasons Firenze’s kitchen or Villa Cora’s workshops.
Golf: Tee off at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco’s 18-hole course, Tuscany’s only private golf retreat.
Truffle Hunting: Join a dog-led hunt in Chianti’s forests, offered near Borgo San Felice, and savor your find at dinner.
Hot Air Balloon Rides: Float over Siena’s patchwork hills at dawn.
Shopping: Hunt for leather bags in Florence’s San Lorenzo market, ceramics in Siena, or linens in San Gimignano’s boutiques.
Getting There: Your Tuscan Journey
Tuscany’s accessibility makes it a summer breeze to reach:
Flights: Fly into Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) for Florence hotels (20 minutes to Four Seasons or Villa Cora) or Pisa International Airport (PSA) for Tuscany (1–1.5 hours to Rosewood, Como, or Borgo San Felice).
Trains: From Rome (1.5 hours) or Milan (2 hours) to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, then private transfers to Tuscany hotels (30–60 minutes). Florence’s station is 10 minutes from Four Seasons or Villa Cora.
Why Book with MD Traveling?
These five-star retreats—Four Seasons Firenze’s urban grandeur, Villa Cora’s aristocratic charm, Rosewood’s vineyard elegance, Como’s castle serenity, and Borgo San Felice’s village warmth—are summer’s finest. With high demand, let me secure your stay. Email me at Mark@MDTraveling.com, and I’ll craft your Tuscan escape, potentially adding perks like room upgrades, hotel credits, and customzing your daily activities. Your la dolce vita starts here—I’m ready to make it unforgettable.
