Hotel Villa Casanova, Lucca

Let’s play a game of word association. Here’s the prompt: “Tuscan.” If you’re like us, you’re thinking “villa.” Nobody does the country estate home quite like the Tuscans, and Albergo Villa Casanova, in the Lucca Valley, is true to the form in all the best ways. The 18th-century farmhouse (think gentleman-farmer) is set on 360 acres of picturesque woodland that beg to be explored — not least because from the top of the hill, you get panoramic views of the countryside, the quaint town of Torre del Lago and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the distance.

The villa was renovated in 2009, so all the modern comforts are here in a style that matches the place’s history. It’s not a small building, but contains just fourteen suites, each of them at least 590 square feet, and all of them occupying corners of the building for optimum views and sunlight. Though even the standard Casanova Classic suites have excellent views over the woodland, you might want to opt for one of the Supreme suites if you agree that a Tuscan villa just isn’t a Tuscan villa without a glorious terrace. The ones here have morning views of the sun rising over the Lucca Valley and spectacular night skies. Back inside, the beds in all the suites are either hand-made four posters, carved-wood sleigh beds or baroque beds with gilded frames. Wooden floors, pale yellow walls, lots of sun, Oriental rugs and original artwork all manage to occupy the rooms without crowding each other out.

In Tuscany, it almost goes without saying that the food is a treat, too. Menus in this part of the world have been local and seasonal since long before it was trendy, and the food at Villa Casanova is no exception. Depending on the season, this can mean game like pheasant and wild boar or produce such as figs, spinach and mushrooms. There’s home-pressed olive oil from trees on the property — and did we mention they’ve got truffles here, too? The elegant dining room is a fine place for a meal, but it might be hard to get there when you know that dining al fresco on your terrace or patio is an option, too.

Please note: Albergo Villa Casanova is open seasonally late March through early November.