Monteverdi

Rooms

The hotel rooms sit in 3 beautifully restored buildings. All are unique in layout and décor but have the same simple sophistication. Soft palettes, subtle lighting and the finest linens sit against stone walls and rustic beams, while hand-dyed fabrics and furnishings from Italy, Egypt, Tunisia and Spain add richness. Talented husband-and-wife team Giorgio and Ilaria Miani were tasked with the design, retaining the integrity of the old shells whilst adding polished modern touches such as sleek bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. The cherry on top is the original artwork in every room.

The 3 Village Rooms are certainly spoiling, with kingsize beds and rainfall showers positioned near windows to capture the views, but it’s worth upgrading to a larger room or suite (some with separate sitting rooms) if you can. All have a special touch - my favourite was the light and airy Val d’Orcia, which is set a little way from the others and has a freestanding in-room tub. Il Pozzo wins the prize for the most magnificent bath I’ve ever seen (an 18th-century marvel in shining copper), while Suite del Bosco has imaginative posts sculpted to resemble trees. La Pieve has a fireplace, plus an outdoor dining area. The Sant' Andrea Suites (the only rooms with air-con) sit near the village square and have a sitting room, tub or double rain shower. The colourful Aeneas Suites share a small living room - they're ideal for a family or group to book together.

The Private Village Houses - San Pietro (2 ensuite double bedrooms), Amiata (3 ensuite double bedrooms) and Muri Antichi (6 ensuite double bedrooms) - lie a short walk away. They’ve been lovingly reconstructed, with original arches, beams and tiles enhanced by granite and marble. All have state-of-the-art kitchens and living areas with fireplaces, plus luxurious additions - a steam room (Amiata), spa tubs (Amiata and Muri Antichi), wine cellars (Muri Antichi and San Pietro). Muri Antichi even has a library and large dining terrace.

See Rates for full details of the various options.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

I once heard someone say that even bad food in Tuscany is good food. Fortunately, the food at Monteverdi is good through and through. My first sight of the outdoor terrace at the on-site Oreade restaurant (open for breakfast and dinner) brought on a deep sigh of contentment. Kicking off a balmy evening with a glass of local Brunello wine whilst contemplating the landscape from which your food has been plucked is truly living the dream.

Oreade’s chef keeps things close to home in the kitchen. Most of the ingredients for the incredibly tasty yet simple Tuscan dishes are sourced from local farms and markets, and the hotel grows its own herbs, fruit and vegetables. Our meal incorporated pecorino cheese from Pienza, as well as prosciutto and rigatino from Siena’s famous acorn-eating pigs. There was gnocchi made from nettles, black truffles so fresh they could have been snuffled straight onto our plates from the forest, and the signature dish: wild-boar ragù on homemade rosemary pappardelle. We felt like we needed a forklift to return us to our room.

For cocktails and other drinks, there’s the Library Bar and terrace, open late into the evening. If wine’s your thing, you can head to the enoteca to sample 32 varieties from modern enomatic dispensers, along with a light repast.

A continental breakfast is served in the restaurant; you can also order hot dishes. The 3 villas have fully equipped kitchens for self-catering - you can pick up groceries in Sarteano, a 15-minute drive down the hill. Private chefs can be hired on request.

Features include:

• Bar
• Chef on request
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant

Activities

• Monteverdi is 2,000 feet high on slopes flush with verdant forests and trails, so head out to explore on foot, by bike or on horseback (bikes are available to borrow, and reception can provide maps and arrange guides)
  
• Eat and drink - you’re in Italy, after all! The hotel offers private vineyard tours with lots of tasting opportunities, as well as the chance to learn how to cook traditional Tuscan fare with the chef
  
• Visit the on-site Etruscan archaeological dig to find out more about the hamlet's origins
  
• Head to the beautiful and bustling town of Montepulciano; visit its magnificent Sanctuary of San Biagio church (the original model for St Peter’s in Rome) and buy some of the area’s world-famous wines (20 minutes away)
  
• Explore Pienza - a jewel of a town that isn’t overrun by tourists like larger Siena. Any place that races wheels of pecorino cheese (a take on Siena’s famous Palio horse race) can only be a winner in our books
  
• Pack your swimsuit and head to the pretty spa towns of Bagni San Filippo and San Casciano dei Bagni; walk in the woods along white-sulphur hot springs and then take a dip - the waters are said to have healing properties (both 30 minutes away)
  
• Back at Monteverdi, curl up with a book in the gardens, then cool off in the heated infinity pool or unwind in the spa's outdoor soaking tubs (stunning views!)
  
• Or enjoy the hotel’s cultural programme, which sees artists from all over the world perform, exhibit and give talks. Concerts are often held in the old village church, Sant' Andrea, too

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Museums / galleries
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wine tasting

Kids

Monteverdi is a romantic spot, but families are very welcome and the hotel, villas and restaurant all cater for children. Kids will love the gardens, and there’s the pool to paddle in. There’s some handy baby and toddler kit to borrow, too, including strollers, car seats and highchairs, though the uneven paths and terraces mean it's not well suited to roving little ones.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Some of the hotel rooms and suites can take extra beds, and baby cots are available on request (free of charge); 2 Village Rooms interconnect, too. The 2 Aeneas Suites can also interconnect via a shared living room. Larger families can book one of the 3 self-catering village houses (with room for 4, 6 or 12 guests), but note that all have double bedrooms only.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1.5-2 hours’ drive (Florence, Perugia, Pisa or Rome)
• Hospital: 30 minutes’ drive
• Shops: 15 minutes’ drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Monteverdi occupies the hamlet of Castiglioncello del Trinoro, a 15-minute drive up the hill from the village of Sarteano. It’s nestled in the heart of the Siena province, in Tuscany. Some of the area’s most renowned towns, including Siena, Montepulciano, Orvieto and Pienza, are within an hour’s drive.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Florence (129km); you can also fly to Perugia (162km), Pisa (179km) and Rome (198km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Monteverdi can arrange transfers (see Rates), but unless you plan on staying put once you arrive, we recommend hiring a car so you can explore the area (see below).

By Train:
The nearest station is Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, which is served by trains from Florence and Rome (they take 1.5 to 2 hours). The hotel can arrange a transfer from there with advance notice; however you'll need a car if you want to get out and about.

By Car:
For car hire, see our car rental recommendations. Monteverdi has a grassy car park, located a 5-minute walk from the entrance (though you can drop bags at reception when you first arrive).

Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape.

More on getting to Italy and getting around