Castello di Velona

The setting of this hotel is stunning and the facilities are great - somewhat overpriced but an enjoyable stay. We booked a room with a private patio but the size of the patio was very small and hardly usable. The staff were lovely. The restaurant was rather disappointing. Only one restaurant is open for dinner and you need to book your time ahead of your stay as they only seem to let very few people in at a time. The menu is quite limited and we thought the food wasn't great and very expensive. We struggled to find something different for our 3 night stay.

This castle is straight out of a fairy tale. The views are breathtaking from every window. We were treated personally to exceptional and also personally warm and friendly service. The chef is wonderful. Fabiola the sommelier is just awesome guiding us through a wine tasting that was the best we have ever done! It was fun and very educational too. Matteo the manager was constantly making things work like a top, the pool crew was very nice and those thermal pools were DIVINE! We had the personal pleasure of meeting the best brand ambassador we have ever met in the spectacular Massimo. Massimo made us feel so incredibly welcome it was honestly so special to receive such kindness and warmth. I have no idea how each person was able to give us so much personal attention when they were at FULL CAPACITY. We felt like we were the only guests in the hotel and our every wish was fulfilled. MUST DO: wine tasting and a fireside dinner!

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.