Castello di Vicarello
Mediaeval castello in the clouds
Hidden hilltop olive groves
Refined Tuscan estate Castello di Vicarello has had 900 years to cultivate its air of rustic majesty, so it’s little wonder that the honey-coloured buildings and perfumed gardens look like they’ve sprung from the canvas of an Italian master. Despite the romantic atmosphere, the hotel is still very much rooted to the rolling and fertile land on which it sits. Delectable home-style cuisine is prepared in the castle’s historic kitchen, which draws much of its produce from the organic garden, vineyards and olive groves, all of which sit within the enchanting grounds. There are two valley-facing infinity pools to choose from, a Balinese hut for massages, yoga and personal training in the summer months and several tiers of cyprus-studded gardens and manicured lawns on which to bask under the Tuscan sun.
Facilities
Habitaciones
Ten suites.
Checkout
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability.
Más detalles
Rates include a home-made Continental breakfast of jams, cakes and breads.
Acceso gratis a internet
Lavandería
Aceptamos mascotas
Piscina
Spa
At the Hotel
Outdoor lounges, terraced gardens, library and free WiFi. In rooms: a minibar and air-conditioning. Some suites have open fireplaces.
Our Favourite Rooms
If you’re really looking to indulge, book the secluded Spa Suite, which is a short walk from the main castle. This modern, chalet-style suite has teak-clad interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out across the Ombrone valley and river at the bottom of the hill. There’s an indoor hammam and sauna, and a wooden ‘barile’ hot tub on the sun deck, which has been positioned to perfectly catch the Tuscan sunset.
Poolside
There are two infinity pools with sweeping views across the tree-clad hills and valleys. Each sits on a secluded terrace – one by the main castle, the other a little further down the garden. Both are set into clipped lawns and surrounded by the hotel’s fragrant ornamental gardens, which give off a heady perfume after they’ve been warmed by the day’s sun.
Spa
Unwind with a wood therapy massage, aimed to rectify energy imbalances and relax tense muscles, at the hotel’s secluded Al Fresco Spa. The Spa Suite has exclusive access to a sauna, steam room and an outdoor Jacuzzi fashioned from an original barrique (oak barrel) – the perfect spot to revel in the Tuscan sunset. In-room massages can be arranged on request.
Packing Tips
Ditch the stilettos – bumpy stone paths and root-riven forest floors are no friend to wayward heels. A solid pair of flat-soled shoes will stand you in sturdier stead.
Also
There’s no shortage of activities should you tire of relaxing: cooking classes and wine-tasting can be arranged in the hotel’s kitchen, and horse riding, e-bike tours and hunting can all be enjoyed in the nearby area.
Niños
All ages are welcome.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
The round table in the corner by reception overlooks the whole dining area and the gardens – perfect for a romantic tête-à-tête. The owners will also arrange a secret spot in the gardens to dine in if you request.
Código de vestimenta
Rustic and relaxed: skirts for sprawling in and shirts all a-billow. 'Smart casual' is requested for dinner and aperitifs.
Hotel Restaurant
The focus is on authentic cuisine using local, organic ingredients and recipes from owner Aurora Baccheschi Berti's cookbook, 'My Tuscan Kitchen'. Ingredients come from the property's organic fruit and vegetable gardens, and both meats and cheeses are sourced from local farmers and the family's estate.
Hotel Bar
There are two – you'll find the first, open year-round, in the lounge and the second, open during the summer months, is on the top terrace, replete with stunning views over the courtyard, vineyards and surrounding forest. Ask Simoh to mix you something mysterious or opt for a glass of the hotel's own vintage red.
Last Orders
The kitchen closes at 10.30pm.
Room Service
Fruit and snacks are always available in the kitchen, and you can have food brought to your room from 08h to 22.30h.
Planes
If you’re lucky enough to arrive on a private flight, Grosseto airport is 45 minutes away; if not, both Florence and Pisa are a convenient hour and a half away, and Rome Fiumicino is two and a half.
Trains
The nearest Trenitalia (www.trenitalia.it) train station is at Paganico, a 15-minute drive from the hotel. There's also a station in Grosseto station, 40km away. Florence and Pisa can be reached in two to three hours; Siena is a direct train away, taking less than two hours.
Automobiles
Castello di Vicarello is 15 minutes from the E78 (Grosseto–Siena–Arezzo–Sansepolcro–Fano). To find it, first get to Paganico, and then proceed toward Monte Amiata; after three kilometres, follow signs to Sasso d’Ombrone, then Poggi del Sasso, where you should take Via Vicarello on your right. Montepulciano and Siena are both between an hour and an hour and a half away; the sights of Pisa, Florence and Perugia are roughly two hours. There's free parking at the hotel, and from February 2018 there'll be two Tesla charging points.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Don’t leave Tuscany without vineyard-hopping: Poggio Antico in Montalcino runs tasting sessions in English and also boasts a great formal restaurant – book a sampling session in the morning and follow it with a lingering lunch.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
