Unwinding at Villa La Massa ∙ The Tuscan Retreat You Need to Visit

This countryside hotel is just a fifteen minute escape from the bustle of beautiful yet busy Florence. Giving you the best of both worlds and a taste of true Italian renaissance.

The Hotel

Leaving the cobbled streets of Florence, filled with grand monuments, dripping gelato cones, hoards of happy tourists and the sound of live Italian jazz, you can find a calmness at Villa La Massa.

This very special hideaway hotel sits majestically on the sparkling banks of the Arno River in the heart of the Chianti wine region. Built in the 13th century by a Florentine family, the country estate was owned by European aristocrats until 1948, before it was transformed into a luxury hotel. Now Villa La Massa welcomes its guests as you would family. So once you have exhausted the bustle of the city, you can unwind in 25 acres of timeless glamour, olive trees and roaming vineyards.

Where To Stay

Villa La Massa is the perfect balance of grand yet intimate, as it hosts fifty one unique bedrooms and suites that delicately sprawl across five classic Tuscan-style buildings, warm pink villas and a burnt yellow 18th century farmhouse. Each with private gardens, courtyards, terraces or balconies of their own, so you can overlook the curves of the river or out to the green hills that are dotted with cypress trees and pastel-hued flowers. The rooms themselves are elegant and range from a renaissance style, with frescoed ceilings, canopy beds and rich tapestries; to more contemporary with chic marble bathrooms and stylish furniture from local craftsmen. This is not just a place to rest your head, slow mornings in your room are encouraged at Villa La Massa and always from the depths of the cloud-like beds. It’s promised that an air of romanticism will fill whichever airy space you choose to stay in, fulfilling all of your ‘Dolce Vita’ fantasies.

Where To Eat

At Villa La Massa, all you will want to do is eat (once you finally leave the delicious comfort of your room). The hotel bottles its own olive oil using home grown olives from the property and also boasts a beautiful Chef's garden where herbs are picked in abundance. All allowing the freshest mix of traditional Tuscan dishes to be served right up onto your plate.

Il Verrocchio is their elegant terrace restaurant that overlooks the river and Chianti hills. As evening guests, you can dine by candlelight over gourmet Italian and Mediterranean dishes that are served with carefully chosen wine pairings in softly clinking glasses. For the early birds, you will want to take a seat as the slow morning sun reflects off the river and covers the hotel in a warm golden light. Here breakfast is served on the outdoor terrace to the sounds of crickets and bird song. A must-try is the traditional focaccia and house-baked cakes with ripe berries and sticky jams. All savoured over hot poured coffee and a peaceful view that will imprint in your mind forever.

L'Oliveto Bistrot is the welcoming poolside spot that serves up Italian classics, alfresco style. Don’t leave without trying their traditional Tuscan salad with jewelled toned tomatoes and fresh leaves, all topped with seasoned and soaked breadcrumbs. Follow this with moorish pappardelle pasta covered in truffle and generous dribbles of olive oil. Feeling full and happy, you can relax under your parasol as slick poolside service is also on offer, serving refreshing icy drinks to sip upon as you bask away on a sun-drenched lounger.

Set in the main villa, Bar Mediceo is the hotel's answer to a glamorous lounge where guests can sip apéritifs, post dinner tipples, exclusive liqueurs and signature cocktails. We recommend the ‘Iris’, a blend of cold vodka, iris cordial, bitters and orange, a graceful nod to the famous iris gardens at Villa La Massa. However if it’s wine you are really after then find yourself wandering down below to the secret 15th century cellar that collects fine wine labels which can be tasted alongside cheese and charcuterie for an unforgettable private dinner.

How To Unwind

Unwinding at Villa La Massa starts from the second you arrive. The main heated swimming pool sprawls over the manicured lawns, inviting you in for a cool dip, while the gym is kitted out with state of the art equipment. If you want to clear your mind, then the winding jogging and cycling paths might beckon your name or perhaps a yoga class under the trees?

For those in search of a little wellness treat, a must-visit is the Arno Spa. Built underground in the main 19th century villa, the spa offers beautifully designed wet rooms, Turkish and Roman baths, saunas, hydromassage and mindful treatment rooms. Cocoon yourself in a luxurious white robe and book in for one of Villa La Massa's olive oil massages or facials and be prepared to glide off into blissful unconsciousness as a natural scrub made of olive kernel powder is used to deeply cleanse and massage your skin, leaving you nourished and oh so deeply relaxed.

What To Explore

Once you have regained energy after your relaxing spa visit, you may be in search of a tasteful adventure. Villa La Massa offers focaccia lessons with a talented chef, cocktail making with a charming barman, or drawing and painting lessons in the hotel’s tranquil gardens, each letting you get creative in the best way Italians know how. During the Autumn the hotel offers a one of a kind experience - truffle hunting. Let yourself be whisked away to the thousand-year-old Strozzi Princesses estate where expert truffle hunters and trained dogs guide you around the countryside in search of the coveted Italian white truffle. You will then be taken back to Villa La Massa to celebrate your truffle findings with an accompanying spread of Tuscan wine, aged pecorino, fresh bread and oozing honey.

The PIBE Approved Extra’s

· Exclusive vespa and hot air balloon tours are available for the adventure seeker.

· The hotel has a beautiful private chapel for weddings, which hosted the marriage of David Bowie and Iman in the 1990’s.

· Ugolino Golf Club, considered one of the most evocative courses in the world, is nearby for those wishing to unwind on the green.

· Villa La Massa guests can play tennis across the 16 clay courts at the Match Ball Firenze Country Club.

· Just a stone’s throw away is the Scuola Equitazione Fiorentina stables and riding school for those that want to explore Tuscany by horseback.

The Takeaway

From the morning sun that glints across the surface of the river, right through to the painting-worthy sunsets, Villa La Massa is truly the romantic must-stay on your next Italian adventure. Everything about this serene bubble in the Tuscan countryside has been created with your need to unwind in mind, making it all that little bit harder to leave.

How To Book

Rates start from €550 (approx. £473) for a Double Deluxe Room per night, including breakfast. villalamassa.com

Travel Writer / Sarah Barnes