Hotels in Tuscany: City & Country

The city: Continentale

Florence is the gateway to the Italian countryside and there is no better place to kick off your trip than one of the most stylish hotels in Tuscany: Continentale.

Overview: Centrally located one block from the infamous Ponte Vecchio, the Continental boasts romantic views and aesthetically clean design in an ode to the style of the 1950s. On-site features include the White Iris Spa stocked with products from Parma-based brand Comfort Zone and Michelin-starred Ristorante Borgo San Jacobo. Bonus: pet-friendly!

Good for: First-time visitors to Florence looking to be smack center in the action, living it up in stylish quarters at some of the best rates in the city.

Rooms: 43 breezy rooms of comfortable furnishings featuring light woods and bright colors. A serene effect. Snag one with a view of the river!

Rates: from 270/night, suites from 720

Highlight: You can’t miss the gorgeous “La Terrazza” — a rooftop cocktail bar with views of the River Arno, Brunelleschi’s Dome and other famous landmarks. It doesn’t get any more glamorous than this.

Tip: Continentale is a short walking distance from Trattoria Cammillo — a beloved white-tablecloth joint famous for its homemade Florentine pastas.

Torre a Cona

This under-the-radar spot among hotels in Tuscany lies just 45 minutes outside Florence. This is a great option for guests who have limited time or choose not to rent a car, but still want to enjoy a taste of the countryside.

Torre a Cona boasts on-site cooking classes, private wine tastings and vineyard tours, freshly packed picnics, truffle hunting and guided horseback tours through the countryside.

This gem is surprisingly affordable, and the staff is amazing. They even offer (spoiler alert!) a complimentary bottle of wine in the room upon arrival. The option for apartment-style living offers elevated solitude, making this gorgeous estate truly feel like home.

The country: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

Overview: One of the oldest estates in Tuscany, overlooking the natural beauty of Val d’Orcia. Amenities include: La Canonical Cooking School, Italy’s singular private golf club and an on-site winery — one of the only historic producers of Brunello de Montalcino.

Good for: Guests looking for an intimate, romantic, totally luxurious immersion into Tuscan living.

Rooms: 42 suites adorned with antique furniture and locally made textiles create an atmosphere of authentic Florentine style. All are beautiful and quite spacious — you simply can’t go wrong.

Good for larger groups: 11 totally unique villas, transformed from 17th & 18th century farmhouses. Villas are completely private and scattered throughout the property — each equipped with a full kitchen and heated pools overlooking the rolling hills and surrounding vineyards. Pure luxury.

Rates: Suites from approximately 750/night, villas from 2,750

Highlight: Be sure to secure a reservation at Ristorante Campo del Drago, the property’s very own Michelin dining experience serving up Tuscan dishes dotted with fresh produce from the resort’s organic garden.

Day trip

This is one of the best hotels in Tuscany for exploring the countryside. Let it be your base for exploring the picturesque small towns of your dreams.

Day trip suggestions:

• Montalcino: (20-minute drive) a wine-lovers Mecca, hilltop home to the famous Brunello and Rosso

• San Giovanni d’Asso: (40-minute drive) overlooked by a large castle, this is a look at true small-town Tuscany. Population: 329.

• Pienza: (45-minute drive) famous for its production of Pecorino cheese (yes, I’m biased) and beautiful architecture.

For a taste of sweet, slow living — and of course, delicious cuisine — look no further than these stunning hotels in Tuscany: Italy’s base for luxury R&R. You’ll surely return home full of heart, spirit and stomach.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Tuscany. Check out Anny Chen's trip report, The Most Luxurious Hotels in Amalfi Coast for Every Traveler.