Castello del Nero Review: Tuscany, Italy

Castello Del Nero is a fully renovated 12th-century Tuscan castle located in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti region, offering a unique experience that goes well beyond that of a typical luxury, five-star hotel. Beyond compare to any other that I have stayed in.

The property underwent 2 ½ years of renovation, offering the experience of staying in a traditional Tuscan Estate with all the modern comforts and technology you would find in a new luxury hotel. Every detail was thoroughly considered in the restoration, from the rooms to the grounds, to the extent that all of the electrical and phone lines were buried under the ground so as not to obstruct your view of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

One of the key features of the estate is the huge terrace on the back end of the property where you can sit, have a drink (or two) and look out at the countryside for hours on end.

The Location:

Located in the heart of the Chianti wine region, right between Florence and Siena, Castello Del Nero has over 700 acres of rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive trees. It is actually perfectly situated for a Tuscan vacation as it is about a 45-minute drive north to Florence, 45-minute drive south to Sienna, and only 25 minutes from San Gimignano.

The Rooms:

There are a total of 50 rooms – 32 guest rooms and 18 suites, each of which has a totally unique footprint and design.

We stayed in room 111, which was one of the Double Superior rooms. The room was elegant and rustic with Stone walls, Terrazzo floors, and High Ceilings with exposed wood beams.

The bathroom was huge with a similar feel, as it also had a high, wood-beamed ceiling with terracotta floors, rain shower, and views of the countryside.

Amenities:

The hotel has a restaurant called La Torre, where we had a fantastic dinner and breakfast. La Torre specializes in Tuscan cuisine and serves wine and olive oil produced locally on the Castello del Nero property. I normally don't like to have dinner in the hotel I am staying at, just to get out and explore the local area, but this is a definite exception to that rule.

Or, if you want something more intimate, you can also head to the wine cellar, where the hotel can arrange for a private dinner and wine tasting.

Before you have dinner, make sure you head to The Bar for snacks and cocktails, which, prior to the hotel renovation, was actually the site of Castello Del Nero's kitchen. While the drinks and wine were very good, it was the bar snacks that won me over…. not the typical pretzels or peanuts you find in the U.S. Upon ordering our drink, we were given a platter of prosciutto wrapped bread sticks, salami, cheese, and olives. This is standard practice when you order a drink at The Bar.

If the weather is accommodating, there is also a nice Pool with a bar built into the vineyard and olive grove.

The spa is a big attraction here as well. It was built and is run by ESPA, a leader in luxury spa destinations. There is a vitality pool, 10 massage rooms, and a gym. And yes, even the Gym has a beautiful view of the Tuscan countryside.

If you want to get out and see some sites, the hotel provides a free shuttle service to both Siena and Florence.