Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco

Pros: -Amazing property; had a terrace suite -2 pools; one is an adults only pool -Wine tour and cooking class; best bowl of bolognese -The small details matter (CDB bookmarks) -Only private golf course in Italy Cons: -Isolated location

Rosewood, is a beautiful and romantic hotel with breathtaking views of the valley, boasts outstanding infrastructure and perfectly spacious, comfortable, charming, and well-equipped rooms. However, we encountered a significant issue with our room. Despite its beauty, the air conditioning malfunctioned, leaving us exhausted after a four-hour journey. The temperature was set to 22 degrees Celsius, but no matter how hard we tried to lower it, the equipment kept switching on and off, disrupting our sleep. To make matters worse, the room lacked a proper blackout behind the curtains, making it difficult to fall asleep due to the clarity. We promptly complained to the reception and the manager, who were kind and promised to rectify the issues. On the next night, they found a temporary solution by nailing black plastic to the doors leading to the small garden. However, the air conditioner continued to malfunction. While the black plastic improved our sleep, it was not the kind of experience we had paid for. The next morning, we left the hotel and provided feedback. Despite the two hot and unpleasant nights in a five-star establishment, they offered a simple apology. I had hoped for a discount or a courtesy for a future stay. Surprisingly, the hotel failed to send us an email for a formal feedback, unlike all the other hotels we stayed at during our trip. Rosewood is an exclusive and expensive hotel, but if you can’t rest at night, there’s not much to enjoy during the day.

I was lucky enough to stay in Villa Alba which is the most magical place. The rooms were stunning, the breakfast laid out beyond delicious and the gardens and pool area utterly sublime. Winetasting was brilliant as was the Osteria. I can’t wait to return.

Incredible experience, wonderful service. The hotel exceeds customers' expectations, and it's definitely worth it. One of the places I will definitely return to. The villa is super cozy. It makes you feel at home. Impeccable cleanliness.

This was our fourth stay at Castiglion del Bosco, and it's really such a special place. First we went for 1 night... then 2... and now 4... I would say that it's troubling, but it's so relaxing that there is nothing to be troubled about. This is place to go, stay, and enjoy. You'll probably need a car to get to the Rosewood or you need to arrange transportation in advance. Castiglion del Bosco is approximately 20 minutes from the true hill town of Montalcino and is impossible to reach via public transportation. It is an easy drive from Florence or Rome though. (We've done both.) No matter which room you book, you are sure to be happy with it. If you can't be happy at Castiglion del Bosco, you can't be happy anywhere. The junior suite is the base room, and it's romantic, cozy, and huge. We had a small table in our room and chairs on the terrace. The bed was so comfortable. It's probably one of my favorite hotel beds anywhere, and in the winter, what really stood out was the weighted duvet cover. I can’t remember the last time I slept this well. The bathroom has a walk-in shower and a separate soaking tub. Bath products are Angeli di Firenze from the famous Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence. (I also really love that they provide bath salts in the room. It's such an overlooked touch of luxury.) The bathroom has every amenity you could possibly need, including loofahs, toothbrushes, lip balm and a shaving kit. If they don't have it, you don't need it. Some suites include Dyson hair dryers. We've stayed in three other suites, and they were all larger than our first apartment. They are beyond comfortable with beautiful decor and a comfortable Tuscan aesthetic. We love having a terrace (even in the winter), and we spent many a leisurely afternoon sipping wine and enjoying the silence. I've had a few treatments at their spa. (Leti and the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy facial is incredible.) You also can book the sauna and steam room for a private experience. The pool is covered and heated in the winter, so you can enjoy whenever the resort is working. We've taken advantage of cooking classes and wine tastings on property, and they've never disappointed us. (We're also now members of the CdB wine club, and it's been such an incredible community to be a part of, even when we're not traveling!) The restaurant staff and sommeliers are truly outstanding. We've never had a disappointing meal, and we're always excited to see what's on the chef's specials each evening. Prior to arrival, the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco team will send you information about the additional experiences you can book during your stay at the resort. They offer a variety acitivites beyond spa treatments, cooking classes, and wine tastings, including truffle-hunting experiences, star gazing, art classes, and visits to local producers. If you want to leave the resort, they provide guided tours of Siena, Florence, San Gimignano and more. You don't have to book activities that cost extra. Make sure you ask for the schedule of resort experiences while you are there. Many things are included in your stay and don't cost extra. There really is something for everyone here. No small luxury is overlooked and the staff is truly committed to ensuring that your stay is both memorable and magical. This is one of my favorite finds, my favorite traditions, and somewhere we'll certainly return to again.