Castello di Velona

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.

First the good. Location is stunning and the views unparalleled. We had lunch on arrival which was very nice and the service at the pool was excellent. Rooms are nice and spacious and the bathroom was the best we’ve had in Italy. Now for the bad, the furniture and interior is dated and in some areas worn and no longer fit for use. It’s simply not good enough for a 5 star resort at this price point. Worst was the morning breakfast and the check out. Service fine but the eggs were severely overcooked and the pancakes, which they charged 22 euros for, were horrendous. 3 tiny lumps served with tomatoes and lettuce? And clearly not fresh but stale and microwaved. After a complaint at the reception for this abysmal dish they refused a refund which is really beyond me, but it did motivate me to write this review. In addition the checkout process was entirely unsatisfactory. The one porter, who clearly was overloaded with jobs, took 45 minutes to get our bags up to the car, which i eventually fetched myself. The porter really did his best. What i didn't appreciate was the arrogance at the reception. We will not be returning.

We had an exceptional weekend at Castello di Velona Resort. It was a fantastic break from our travels through Italy. The staff tends to everything, are very kind and the details of the resort are very thought out. We had an incredible dinner experience with the Tuscan Tour dinner option. Antonio provided exceptional service throughout our weekend and we would recommend this spot to anyone looking for a relaxing time in Montalcino.