Under the Tuscan sun: boutique hotels to take you from town to country

A cypress scented canvas of Florentine mansions, medieval hill-top villages, vineyard-encircled villas and fairytale castles

Take any patchwork field in a typical corner of Tuscan countryside and you’ll likely be looking at the backdrop to a Renaissance painting. Time seems to stand still in this landscape of crumbling castellos, fragrant olive groves and rolling hills long loved by artists renowned the world over. From strolls along the Ponte Vecchio in Florence with gelato in hand, to soaking up some of Italy’s finest wines straight from the vines, or basking on the sand beside the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany really does have it all with marvelous hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to match.

City breaks…

Hotel Lungarno, Florence

A beautifully renovated mansion beside the Arno River, Hotel Lungarno echoes its waterside setting while transporting you back to the Renaissance in style. Start the day with an alfresco breakfast on a sun-drenched balcony overlooking the cobbled streets of the UNESCO city, a treasure trove of art and architecture to admire at every turn. Your cultural journey continues in the hotel’s Picteau Cocktail Bar, named after the Picasso and Cocteau pieces adorning the walls where you can you can sip a vintage cocktail surrounded by 20th century artistic masterpieces, part of the largest collection in Europe.

Hotel Regency, Florence

Standing proudly on Piazza Massimo D’Azeglio, Hotel Regency puts you right at the heart of Florence’s rich culture and history, while feeling a world away from the bustling arts and shopping scene on its doorstep. Inside, the Regency décor, Renaissance art and original features – from antique mirrors to period lights – have a timeless charm. Outside, you’ll find the ‘Secret Garden’ – a tranquil spot to enjoy an aperitif or simply bask in the Tuscan sun.

Palazzo Vecchietti, Florence

Named after the Vecchietti family, who come from a long line of merchants and patrons of the arts, this 16th-century residence is a beautiful blend of original features woven into the contemporary-classic interiors. All the villas of the family, including Palazzo Vecchietti, were locations where troves of prestigious works of art were housed—including the Sant’Agostino nello Studio, Botticelli’s masterpiece found today in the Uffizi art gallery which is just a seven-minute stroll from the palazzo.

Rural retreats…

Villa di Piazzano, Cortona

History radiates from the sun-drenched walls of Villa di Piazzano, a 500-year-old estate which was originally the hunting lodge of Cardinal Passerini, a favourite of the Medicis. Time seems to move more slowly here, as vegetables are plucked from the organic garden ready for a farm-to-table supper, and the white parasols dotted around the pool flutter gently in the breeze. Set on the border between Tuscany and Umbria, this Renaissance country house puts you in pride of place for discovering the region’s highlights, whether it’s exploring the ancient Etruscan heritage of nearby Cortona or hopping over the border to pretty Perugia.

Reschio Hotel, Umbria

Technically on the Umbrian side of the Tuscan border, Reschio Hotel still serves up an oh-so-seductive slice of classic Italian countryside with its sprawling 1,500-hectare estate scattered with traditional farmhouses, state-of-the-art stable block, and rustic outdoor pool overlooked by Il Torrino, the thousand-year-old castle’s original watchtower turned trendy pool par. Dating back to 1050, there is a story behind every lovingly restored terracotta brick, with bespoke furniture handpicked by architect Count Benedikt Bolza and his wife Nencia Corsini. Personal touches are hidden within each room, from vintage photographs to ornaments discovered in local antique markets.

Castello di Spaltenna, Gaiole in Chianti

Tucked within the Tuscan hills and surrounded by cypresses and wild woods, Castello di Spaltenna has all the hallmarks of a storybook castle. From four-poster beds to winding olive groves, there are characterful touches inside and out, with far-reaching views over Sangiovese vineyards from La Terrazza, a traditional stone vaulted tavern and terrace, and a Michelin-starred restaurant re-interpreting traditional Tuscan dishes. Meanwhile, the spirit of nearby Gaiole in Chianti is earthy, rustic, and artisanal – from its wineries and workshops to potteries displaying local handicrafts.

Seaside escapes…

Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, Viareggio

Every room at Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, a 1920s architectural masterpiece in the coastal resort of Viareggio, has views over the Apuan Alps or the Tyrrhenian Sea – which can also be admired from the panoramic rooftop bar beside a heated outdoor pool. Wander along the wide, beachfront promenade, lined with Art Nouveau hotels and grand houses, before tucking into a two Michelin-starred meal at Il Piccolo Principe, inside or on the sea-view veranda.

Albergo Pietrasanta, Pietrasanta

Set in the medieval town of Pietrasanta, renowned as an international centre for marble sculpting, Albergo Pietrasanta is a striking 17th century palazzo with a superb collection of modern art, a beautiful sunlit courtyard, and a pretty breakfast conservatory. Step out to the monuments, sculptures and cafés of Pietrasanta or take a bike ride to the nearby beaches, with golden sands that stretch for 5km and more.