24-Hour Room Service: Castello del Nero, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa

The old adage that it takes money to make money certainly rings true at the Castello del Nero. It's clear for all to see that no expense has been spared in renovating this 12th-century castle turned luxury hotel.

The property sits on a suitably aristocratic spot, overlooking a patchwork of fields, olive groves and vineyards that embodies the "Chiantishire" fantasy. Such is the castle's historical importance that the Italian Fine Arts Commission had to be called in to oversee work on the original structure, in all its frescoed glory. The resulting restoration is impeccable; the noble Florentine Del Nero family, who used to call it home, would surely approve.

A perfect swimming pool is encircled by ancient olive trees, two tennis courts, a cypress tree walk and a pretty landscaped garden as well as an atmospheric vaulted bar with exposed stonework. The ESPA wellness centre boasts acres of glittering Bisazza tiles and uses the estate's olive oil for treatments.

There's a bit of a predicament when it comes to the yawning terrace at the front of the castle. Landscaping has been kept to a minimum so as not to obscure the spectacular views, but having dinner there felt a bit like eating on a football pitch.

As far as locations go though, this is the Tuscany that everyone wants to wake up to. With the exception of the slightly schizophrenic interior design, Castello del Nero ticks all the boxes (right down to its dinky chapel, which provides the perfect backdrop for romantic Tuscan weddings).



LOCATION

Strada Spicciano 7, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Italy (00 39 055 80 64 70; www.castellodelnero.com).

The castle sits on an elevated hill overlooking the cypress-flecked Tuscan hills a short drive from villages such as Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, and Barberino di Val d'Elsa. The Renaissance jewels of Florence, San Gimignano and Siena are also within easy reach.

Time from international airport: most visitors from the UK will arrive at Pisa's Galileo Galilei, which is a bit more than an hour's drive. Florence's smaller Amerigo Vespucci airport is about 30 minutes.



ARE YOU LYING COMFORTABLY?

The 50 rooms are divided into four different categories: suites, deluxe, executive and classic. The suites, set in the original castle, take some beating, with original frescoes, beamed ceilings, original cotto tiles and antique furniture. They culminate in the fabulous but oddly named James Galway Suite.

Most of the other rooms are scattered throughout a number of outbuildings built to blend with the original structure. The décor in these is almost, but not quite, there: a mélange of old-meets-new. Our room was an inoffensive blend of neutral tones and terracotta floors, with the odd vibrant accent. Full marks, though, for the comfortable beds, bedlinen and highly covetable cashmere throws.

The bathrooms were reassuringly luxurious, with marble, polished plaster walls in a dusky rose pink, and a fabulous double shower.

Freebies: a complimentary shuttle service to and from Florence in daylight hours, snazzy and oh-so Italian Etro toiletries.

Keeping in touch: flat-screen TVs, a daily newspaper, DVD player and Wi-Fi in every room, for a charge.



THE BOTTOM LINE

Double rooms start at €528 (£440) per night, including breakfast.

I'm not paying that: the Villa Bordoni (00 39 055 884 0004; www.villabordoni.com), housed in a pretty villa in nearby Greve, has doubles from €170 (£142) per night with breakfast.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Countdown's rudest ever moments

Yesterday a contestant spelt the word 'minge'.
Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported

Special report

Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported
The problem with social mobility

The problem with social mobility

Politicians who say they want to break down Britain's social barriers have been told to unlock closed-shop professions – starting in their own backyard
France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, by the way)

France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, btw)

Next month expats in the stronghold of South Kensington will have a big say in who is returned as the first French overseas MP
Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Two years on from the disaster that shook the Caribbean state, its eastern neighbour, the Dominican Republic, fears a new wave of illegal immigrants could hurt its economy
Mean streets at the movies

Mean streets at the movies

Plan B's new film explores the urban tensions that led to last summer's riots – and he's not the only one finding cinematic inspiration in social unrest
Romney hits the magic number, but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test

Romney hits the magic number...

... but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test
Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Weeks after the demise of Sarkozy, the TF1 star he's said to have dated finds herself out of office too
Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Can a network of hi-tech terminals and online medics make the connection?
The 10 Best cycling gear

The 10 Best cycling gear

It’s summer, it's sunny... it’s the perfect time to get on your bike.
Song of the suicide bomber: How 'Babur in London' negotiated a cultural minefield

Song of the suicide bomber

Daring new opera 'Babur in London' features British terrorists planning an attack.
The school that brought the International Baccalaureate to the East End

Bringing the IB to the East End

The International Baccalaureate is not just for pupils in leafy suburbs.
England must beware brilliant Belgium

England must beware brilliant Belgium

They may have missed out on the Euros but the Belgians have a rash of young players who, thanks to the unifying skills of their coach, look to have a bright future
James Lawton: Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job

James Lawton

Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job
2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

Three Lions will play their Euro 2012 games in front of only a few thousand of their fans