All products and services featured are independently selected by Forbes Vetted contributors and editors. When you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more Astrid Taran, Forbes Staff Forbes Vetted Located in a medieval village that dates back to 700 AD, Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is steeped in history. The hotel—whose past owners include the Medici family—is located on a working estate just one hour from Florence, complete with vineyards and olive groves that provide fresh ingredients for its restaurants. This is authentic Tuscany at its finest. Despite its long history, Toscana Resort Castelfalfi continues to stay modern. Its latest renovations in early 2024 revealed a full rebrand that included a new restaurant and spa. During my visit last winter, the property also debuted two new suites as part of the Stefano Ricci La Rocca Penthouse, designed by famed Florentine designer Stefano Ricci. Read on for my review and insider tips for staying at this unique resort. La Rocca at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi. Toscana Resort Castelfalfi Toscana Resort Castelfalfi Who Will Love It: Travelers who want a classic, sophisticated Tuscan escape with diverse cuisine All-Star Amenities: Six restaurants and bars; spa; golf course; winery; tennis courts; adventure park with more than 40 outdoor experiences including truffle hunting, falconry, olive picking and more What Not To Miss: A stay in the resort’s newly unveiled Stefano Ricci Penthouse Location: Castelfalfi, Tuscany, Italy All-Star Amenities Toscano Resort Castelfalfi is located within a revived borgo—or village—lined with cobblestone streets and ancient stone buildings. Guests who stay at the resort can get lost exploring the charming town, which is home to a string of modern boutique shops and restaurants housed in ancient stone buildings. The hotel’s main building is across from a former tobacco warehouse that’s been converted into 31 guest suites; at the end of the street, a medieval castle is home to the property’s new eatery, La Rocca, as well as the Stefano Ricci La Rocca Penthouse. RAKxa Wellness Spa at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi. Toscana Resort Castelfalfi The resort offers what is essentially its own adventure park, with more than 40 on-site experiences including archery, falconry, axe throwing, olive picking and truffle hunting. Active travelers can make use of two tennis courts and two championship golf courses; afterward, they can treat themselves with a wine tasting at the vineyard. The resort’s new RAKxa-branded spa features many authentic Thai-inspired treatments (the brand is based in Bangkok), as well as a stunning indoor pool that extends outdoors into an infinity pool with prime Tuscan views. My stay coincided with the launch of the property’s Stefano Ricci Penthouse, a 3,304-square-foot accommodation imagined by the Florentine designer. The penthouse is comprised of two suites, the Aquila suite on the first floor and the Pegaso suite on the second; I slept in the Pegaso suite, which has stunning views of the Tuscan hills—the same views depicted in a portrait of past owner Costanza de Medici downstairs. Along with a private rooftop terrace, both suites offer silk curtains, crocodile leather armchairs, leather-crafted beds and sublimely comfortable embroidered sheets made with Egyptian Giza 45 cotton. The Aquila suite also features a beautiful bathroom made of green marble. Pegaso Suite in the Stefano Ricci Penthouse at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi. ALESSANDRO MOGGI In my opinion, the penthouse is an ideal fit for families, couples or design lovers who want to fully immerse themselves in Italian craftsmanship. Almost every interior detail is hand-crafted, and guests who stay in the penthouse can also book several exclusive activities, from private fittings with a Stefano Ricci tailor to a tour of the brand’s workshop in Florence. Aside from the penthouse, the hotel’s main building also features 146 rooms and suites as well as seven multi-bedroom villas that are available to rent. The resort is also developing more than two dozen residences that will be available for private ownership. Food And Beverage Toscana Resort Castelfalfi has six different dining options. The main outlet is Olivina, which serves an extensive morning buffet along with à la carte options for breakfast and dinner offering many Italian and Mediterranean favorites. At night, I ordered a Piedmont-style dish of agnolotti stuffed with saffron and wild boar, paired with a glass of Barbaresco. The meal was so outstanding that I had to restrain myself from re-ordering it the next evening (I opted for a wonderful pappardelle instead). Olivina at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi. ALESSANDRO MOGGI Next, I dined at the newly opened La Rocca, located in the castle building. Helmed by chef Davide De Simone, the restaurant offers two multi-course tasting menus, one with meat dishes (named “Beyond the Borders”) and one that is plant-based (named “Falling Leaves”). Although I do eat meat, I found the plant-based menu especially delicious, particularly the spaghettini dish with turnip greens, angostura and pine nuts. The vegetarian-forward menu pays homage to the resort’s owner, Indian-Indonesian investor Sri Prakash Lohia, who does not eat meat; his culinary tastes also informed the menu at Bar Ecrù, which features traditional South Asian items like pad thai. What To Do In The Area Located in the heart of Tuscany, Castelfalfi is within close proximity to a number of small, easily accessible Italian villages. During my stay, I drove to Ghizzano, about 15 minutes away by car, to see Via di Mezzo—or “middle street”—a row of buildings that’s painted in bright monochrome greens to offset the Tuscan countryside by British artist David Tremlett. Today, it has become a popular stop for photographers and social media enthusiasts. Another great option is the town of San Gimignano, about a 30-minute drive away, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that is home to medieval towers from the 12th and 13th centuries.The tallest tower, Torre Grossa, offers stunning panoramic views of the countryside. How To Get There Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is an hour drive from Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) in Florence. If you’re coming from the smaller Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) in Pisa, the resort is about a 45-minute drive away. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades