Aside from the rolling green landscapes, rustic little villages and cultural draw of Florence, Pisa and Siena, Tuscany has a flair for tantalising Mediterranean food that keeps visitors returning time and time again. Local vegetables along with fresh meat and fish take the regional cuisine far beyond just pizza and pasta. Delighting taste buds with fresh olive oil, pecorino cheese and pomodoro tomatoes, local flair puts magic into bean salads, crostini toppings and fresh egg pasta dishes alike. Any real gourmet lovers will delight in a stay at a Tuscan hotel whose restaurant lives up to the high standards of service and atmosphere offered by the décor of the rooms and panoramic views. Celebrity chefs, fantastic renovations and local produce and wine have made holidaying here a pleasure for all the senses. Here’s a selection of great “Tuscany gourmet hotels” whose menus are guaranteed to impress the palate.
Hotel L’Andana, Castiglione della Pescaia
Alain Ducasse and Vittorio Moretti selected this property to transform into a sanctuary of gourmet indulgence and relaxation in the Tuscan countryside. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, the 33 room hotel which was once the Duke of Tuscany’s hunting lodge boasts a Michelin starred restaurant housed in an old barn. Vegetables and herbs grown on the property and fresh market ingredients are combined to produce a menu exemplifying delectable Tuscan cuisine.
Relais Vignale, Radda in Chianti
In the heart of the Chianti wine region, this relais has an excellent location between Florence and Siena. The 17th century country house has been stylishly renovated into a small hotel where the renovation incorporates a wine shop and two restaurants. The Ristorante Vignale promises traditional and seasonal Tuscan dishes, whilst meat lovers will enjoy the open kitchen, stunning views, steaks and salami in the Osteria Le Braci.
Hotel Il Falconiere, Cortona
Quietly away from beautiful Cortona, this historic 16th Century property was once home to poet Antonio Guadagnoli. Several dining locations including an intimate dinner-for-two room, a terrace and breakfast garden mean anyone partaking in a wine tasting or cooking class on the premises are spoilt for choice with the incredible location and passion of the Baracchi winery.
Hotel Certosa di Maggiano, Siena
The oldest Carthusian monastery in Tuscany underwent a stunning transformation in the 1970s resulting in this uniquely charming hotel. Chef Paolo Lopriore ensures the recipes and ingredients emerging from the Il Canto kitchen are exquisitely matched to season, setting and even time of day. International influences especially from Japan have contributed this unusual fusion restaurant with splendid interiors being voted one of the world’s 50 best.
Relais Il Bottaccio di Montignoso, Montignoso
The tables of the Il Bottaccio Restaurant are positioned around a pool and surrounded by intriguing artworks – a concept not left behind when the food arrives on the plate. Historical influences are channelled into the the cuisine which champions the best of the Tuscan mountains and coast: carpaccio, truffles, oysters and sea bass; fennel, pheasant, tomatoes and thyme. Awe-inspiring spacious suites put the finishing touches to this passionate project.
Written by Holly Maguire for Escapio.com where these Tuscany hotels and many more design, luxury and boutique hotels can be booked. Holly loves great food and drink and dreams of travelling Italy on the back of a Vespa.
