Mr & Mrs Smith

Castello di Vicarello

Tuscany, Italy

Castello di Vicarello has had 900 years to cultivate its air of mystery, so it’s no wonder that it can seem like a building stolen from a dream or a fairy tale on your first approach. Despite the ethereal air, however, aspects of this rustic-luxe boutique hotel couldn’t be more down-to-earth: authentic home-cooked, Tuscan cuisine straight from a traditional farmhouse kitchen, a working vineyard and olive grove, and one of the warmest welcomes in central Italy.

Need to know

• Rooms Six suites.
• Rates Double rooms from $455.13 (€355), excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (€355) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include home-made breakfast of jams, cakes and breads.
• Facilities Spa, gardens, pools, library. In rooms: minibar. Some suites have open fireplaces and all but La Grotta have kitchenettes.
• Poolside With unforgettable panoramic views of the valleys of Tuscany rolling out before you, swimming in either of Vicarello’s two infinity pools is a delight. The pool beside Suite Chiesina is lined with travertine and overlooks the hills, forests and coast.
• Check-out Midday, but flexible, subject to availability.
• Children Warmly welcomed; cots for under-threes (free) and extra beds can be provided (€100 a night for ages two to 12; €120 for over-12s) for children staying in parents' rooms, excluding breakfast (€15). Babysitting can be arranged for around €25 an hour.
• Also There’s no shortage of activities should you tire of relaxing: cooking classes and wine-tasting can be arranged in the hotel’s kitchen, and horse riding, hunting and fishing can all be enjoyed in the nearby area.

Food and drink at Castello di Vicarello

• Hotel restaurant

  Aurora, the owner, cooks up a daily-changing menu of authentic home-grown, home-made Tuscan cuisine, served in the candlelit flower-filled courtyard in summer and by the fireside in winter. Aurora’s pigeon pâté is a firm favourite, as is the steak.

• Dress code Rustic and relaxed: skirts for sprawling in and shirts all a-billow.
• Top table The round table in the corner by reception overlooks the whole dining area and the gardens – perfect for a romantic tête-à-tête. The owners will also arrange a secret spot in the gardens to dine in if you request.
• Last orders Aurora’s Aga starts to cool at around 22h.
• Room service Fruit and snacks are always available in the kitchen, and you can have food brought to your room from 08h to 21h.
• Hotel bar

  Although there’s no bar as such, Castello di Vicarello’s courtyard and gardens are replete with nooks in which to secrete yourself with an aperitif or a glass of the hotel’s own vintage red.

Also worth knowing

• Weddings This property is suitable for weddings. More...

Castello di Vicarello Via Vicarello, 1, Poggi del Sasso, Cinigiano, Tuscany, 58044