La Guardia Hotel

As if mainland Tuscany weren’t already blessed with beauty enough, there’s also Giglio Island, ten miles off the coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea — an island once known for its distinctive granite, and now probably better known for offering a slice of easy seaside Mediterranean living. That’s La Guardia Hotel’s specialty, of course — its junior suites open right out onto the beach, and most of its other rooms have sea views, many of them from second-floor balconies.

The interiors pay tribute to classic Italian architecture but are predominantly modern-minimalist in style; bare white walls are livened by furnishings made from organic materials, with the rough edges of hand-worked wood supplying contrast to the simplicity of the geometry. And while you wouldn’t call these rooms and suites opulent, they’re certainly more than comfortable enough, from the plush beds to the spa-like bathrooms.

There’s an outdoor yoga pavilion, as well as a massage service, and the island itself offers its own sedate charms, from beaches to ruins to vineyards. One of the highlights, though, is to be found on site: La Guardia’s own restaurant, specializing in locally sourced Mediterranean fare accompanied by island-made wines.