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Set high on a hillside overlooking the unspoilt Arno valley below, this luxurious 4-star hotel is surrounded by a landscaped park, shaded by beautiful mature trees. Utmost seclusion and tranquillity are combined with a unique historical environment, as the original monastery building dates back to the 13th century, now incorporating an imposing, aristocratic, 18th century extension.
 The spacious interiors are sumptuously furnished in a fittingly antique style, while also guaranteeing all modern comforts. Fine wines and gourmet cuisine, including typically Tuscan specialities, can be savoured in the refined atmosphere of the hotel’s elegant restaurant.
Stepping inside from the large central courtyard which separates the two wings of the villa, you seem to enter the magical atmosphere of a medieval castle! Massive, ancient, dark-wood doors, as well as leaded-light glass doors, partition the interior spaces downstairs. The ceilings are high and mostly of lovely, inlaid wood panelling, while the floors are tiled in traditional terracotta. A magnificent triple stone staircase proceeds from the reception area to the bedrooms on the two upper floors. These are also accessible by lift or by stairs from the cloister courtyard. Furnished with comfortable seating and decorated with medieval shields and arms, a large central  hall opens on to the villa’s front terrace, where steps lead down into the grounds.
Adjoining is the top-class restaurant, which enjoys relaxing views out over the gardens. Two spacious downstairs lounges of stylishly classical design invite you to relax after dinner or at any time during the day. Providing another extensive seating area of its own, the bar harmoniously blends the internal brick archways and exposed stonework features of the past with strikingly modern furniture.
ACCOMMODATION: The hotel has 59 bedrooms of 3 categories: Standard Tuscan; Superior Classic; Deluxe Junior/Gallery Suite, with the addition of the exclusive Tower Room, housed in the 13th century monastery tower. All rooms are individually appointed in a traditional antique style and have Sat.TV, mini-bar and a luxurious, ultra-modern ensuite bathroom. Some command superb valley views to the front of the villa; others enjoy garden views to the rear; while others overlook the quiet cloister courtyard. Only two of the rooms have balcony,  affording magnificent, panoramic, countryside views. Included in all room prices is a small buffet breakfast.
The original 13th century cloisters, built by the local Vallombrosa monks, form a spectacular inner courtyard to the hotel, where the monastery’s coats-of-arms still adorn the walls. Leading off from here, an exquisite, tiny, low-ceilinged Rococo chapel, still consecrated, can play host to small-scale wedding ceremonies, accommodating up to 20 guests.
On the hotel’s upper floor, the old monastic refectory has been transformed into a magnificent library and reading room, for the enjoyment of all guests. Decorated with soft furnishings in rich brocade, it houses a valuable collection of antique prints and publications.
THE GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: The hotel estate is surrounded by hilly countryside, covered in woodland, olive-groves and vineyards.  Tuscany’s trademark Cypress trees dot the landscape at every turn. From the country road, the villa is approached through an ancient stone entrance and along a winding driveway that ends in a gravelled parking area to one side. Its encircling grounds boast manicured lawns, hosts of shady conifers, colourfully planted terracotta urns and flowerbeds brimming with roses, lavender and hydrangeas. They provide a variety of opportunities for al fresco dining, relaxation and sunbathing, as well as table tennis for the more active holidaymaker!
In front of the villa, its lawns descend in terraces right down to the lovely pool sunterrace, set against the idyllic backdrop of the Arno valley, which stretches as far as the distant hills on the opposite horizon. At this privileged elevation, the air stays clean, fresh and cool, even at the height of the Tuscan summer.
OTHER SERVICES: On request, cookery courses can be organised at the hotel, as well as wine or  olive-oil tastings.
Guided visits can also be arranged to view olive-oil and wine production in progress.
Top-quality, speciality produce from the hotel’s own farm estate is also on sale.
LOCATION: At only 15 minutes’ drive from the Florence-Rome motorway exit, the hotel is ideally located for easy access by car to Florence (25 min), Siena, Arezzo and many other Tuscan sites of great historical and cultural importance.
It takes 10 minutes by car to the local Factory Outlet Shopping Mall and 30 minutes to the Prada factory.
For nature-lovers, there are many peaceful hiking trails in the unspoilt countryside around the grounds.
Please note: This property does not have air conditioning. Air conditioning is rarely necessary in Tuscany due to the lack of humidity and the temperate climate. Almost all of our properties at InTuscany are in remodeled medieval or renaissance buildings. They generally have very thick walls and high ceilings, most are built on the tops of our gently rolling hills where they catch the breezes that spring up at mid day and in the evenings.
Generally air conditioning is only found by the sea side or in the city centers where noise and/or humidity make it necessary. We do not have air conditioning in our offices or in any of our own homes.
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