Castello di Velona

Chef Andrea Fanti was truly one of the highlights of our stay at Castello di Velona. During our time at the hotel, we had the pleasure of enjoying his cuisine for all our dinners, and each experience was exceptional. What impressed us most was not only the quality and presentation of the food, but the care, creativity, and passion that Chef Andrea brings to his cooking. Every meal felt thoughtfully prepared and made our evenings at Castello di Velona something we genuinely looked forward to. Chef Andrea is incredibly talented, but he also has a warmth and personal touch that made our experience even more memorable. It is clear that he takes great pride in giving his guests an outstanding dining experience. We left Castello di Velona with many wonderful memories, and Chef Andrea and his cuisine are certainly among them. Thank you, Chef Andrea, for taking such wonderful care of us and for making our stay so special. We hope to return and enjoy your cooking again!

It’s a beautiful place. Like out of a fairy tale but man what horrible service and I’m talking about around the pool area. They ignore you. You have to search for service. No one asks if you want anything to drink. You wait to be served in the area that’s dedicated to food. You are also like a prisoner in this place. You have to have a car otherwise nothing is close and it costs an average of $125 euros to get anywhere. Also food is only served at specific times and at dinner you can only order there fancier foods. Nothing like a pizza or sandwich after 6 pm. The views are spectacular but I would never refer or recommend any of my friends to come here.

I recently returned to Castello di Velona after almost 10 years, and I have to say that coming back was every bit as special as I remembered. The setting is simply breathtaking – surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan landscape, with incredible views in every direction. It feels peaceful, authentic and incredibly romantic. What impressed me most was how well Castello di Velona has preserved its unique atmosphere while still offering the comfort and service you would expect from a luxury hotel. After ten years, I wondered if it would live up to my memories – and it absolutely did.

★★★★★ Castello di Velona is not simply a hotel — it is an experience, and easily one of the highlights of my time in Tuscany. From the moment I arrived, the setting felt almost unreal. A beautiful historic castle surrounded by the rolling hills and vineyards of Val d’Orcia, with breathtaking views in every direction. Watching the sunset from the property, walking around the castle in the evening, and enjoying the thermal pools overlooking the Tuscan countryside genuinely felt like being in paradise. The spa experience was exceptional. I had a massage using Brunello wine cream and an exfoliating treatment, followed by time in the thermal pools. It was incredibly relaxing and unlike anything I had experienced before. The food and wine were equally memorable. I enjoyed the tasting menu at Settimo Senso accompanied by local Brunello, and the wine tasting the following day was another highlight — a private experience with the sommelier tasting several Brunellos, an incredible aged Super Tuscan, and even a dessert wine. It was personal, generous and genuinely educational rather than simply another hotel wine tasting. What really elevated the stay, however, was the people. Massimo and the entire team made me feel genuinely welcomed and looked after throughout my visit. The service is polished and luxurious without losing its warmth, and you can tell that the staff truly care about creating a memorable experience for their guests. Yes, Castello di Velona is a luxury property, but this is one of those rare places where you leave feeling that you paid for an experience and memories, not simply a room. I came to Val d’Orcia expecting beautiful Tuscany. I didn’t expect to find a place I would have such a hard time leaving. Massimo told me, “We are in Paradise.” After staying at Castello di Velona, I understand exactly what he meant. An unforgettable stay. Grazie mille to the entire Velona team. 🇮🇹🍷

We have been to this hotel with spectacular views and several spas before and we keep returning. There are simply no better views in Montalcino. Dinner in the evenings at Settimo Sensi with Chef Valerio, who took special care of us, was extraordinary: uniquely prepared seafood dishes to creative twists on traditional Italian fare were all exceptional. The entire staff, whether at the pool, at the concierge front desk or at the restaurants, were all friendly and worked hard to attend to our every need. Our room was a large suite with a separate living area overlooking the UNESCO views with a delightfully cold working air conditioner to deal with the Tuscan heat. It’s likely we will be returning again in the near future.