Our opinion
The Castello di Velona is an enchanting hotel and a perfect place from which to explore southern Tuscany.
Hotel description
Situated just south of the lovely Tuscan town of Montalcino,
in the Val D’Orcia Natural Park, the Castello di Velona perches on a small
outcrop amidst the gently-rolling Siennese hills. Built in the 11th Century,
the castle’s original function was to protect the road from ancient Etruria and
Rome and was also the scene of many clashes between the warring rulers of Siena
and Florence. The oldest surviving part of the hotel is the 12th Century
watchtower and the rest of the buildings date back to the Renaissance when the
castle was converted into a residential villa.
After significant
renovation, the hotel re-opened in 2011 offering 46 rooms and suites and a new
restaurant with a beautiful panoramic terrace. The emphasis here is truly on
relaxation in beautiful Tuscan surroundings and the spa offers any treatments
using local produce and olive oils. The natural hot spring water in the spa
flows at 50 degrees, the hottest in Tuscany, and is classed as ‘hyper-thermal’,
rich with minerals and salts. There are two outdoor panoramic pools, two indoor
thermal pools with Jacuzzis, five treatment rooms plus a treatment room for
couples, two steam baths, and a sauna.
All the guestrooms are individually
furnished with a blend of modern design, period furniture, and antiques, and, as
an added luxurious touch, have thermal water running from the bath taps in the
en-suites. There are two restaurants: the Il Vignale, or ‘inn’ which is a cosy
trattoria serving delicious Tuscan dishes, and the Abbazia fine dining
restaurant, which serves regional food with a slightly more refined flair. The
wine list is topped off with Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino
produced on the hotel's own estate. Both restaurants serve meals outside, on the
beautiful terraces, in the summer months. Guests can also partake in cookery
classes, wine-tastings, astronomy lessons, yoga classes, painting classes,
horseback riding, trekking trails, and bike rides through the Val d'Orcia hills.
There is also an informal pool bar which serves lunchtime snacks and drinks. If
you can tear yourself away from this beautiful hotel, then there are numerous
places to visit nearby, from the internationally renowned wine villages of
Montalcino and Montepulciano, to the historic Siena and San
Gimignano.
Annual opening
14 February to 7 January.
Closest airport
Pisa, Florence or Rome.
Room types
Castello di Velona offers 44 rooms and suites with bath or shower and wc, satellite television, air conditioning, internet connection, hairdryer, mini-bar and safe. Rooms are divided into the following categories:
Castle Rooms:
Castle Junior Suite
Castle Suite
Castle Balcony Suite
Castle Family Suite
Castle Panorama Suite
Castle Affresco Suite
Castle Presidential Suite
Sunset Rooms:
Sunset Junior Suite
Sunset SPA Junior Suite
Sunset Suite
Sunset SPA Suite
An additional bed can be added to the following rooms: Castle Family Suite, Castle Presidential Suite, Sunset SPA Junior Suite, Sunset Suite, Sunset SPA Suite. Maximum occupancy for the remaining rooms is 2 people.
Hotel facilities and services
2 Restaurants, Bar, Lounge, 2 outdoor swimming pools and 2 indoor swimming pools, Pool bar and restaurant open seasonally, Thermal Spa with 5 treatment cabins, 1 couples treatment room, Steam room, Sauna and emotional shower, 24 hour room service and concierge service, Winery and wine tasting of the property's wines Rosso and Brunello di Montlacino, Baby sitting (must be booked in advance), Dry-cleaning and laundry service, Complimentary outdoor valet parking, Sightseeing tours and Limousine service on request.
Out and aboutnearby/local interest
Cooking classes on request, Wine tasting, Olive oil tasting, Siena, Pienza, San Gimignano, Sant’Antimo Abbey. Monte Amiata, Chianti.
Sports nearby
Cycle hire, Horse riding.
Children
Children are welcome and those under 11 years are accommodated for free when sharing a room with their parents.