Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola

Tuscany in general is well known as one of Italy’s more scenic regions, and the Maremma, on the Tyrrhenian coast, is a particularly beautiful corner of Tuscany, adding some marine vistas to the lush landscapes. In that context, Monte Argentario is almost too much — a rocky promontory connected to the mainland by three narrow spits of land, it’s an impossibly dramatic natural setting. And it’s here on the cliffs, a hundred meters above the coast, that you’ll find Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola, which is entering its seventh decade as one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous luxury retreats.

It’s built on what’s left of a 17th-century watchtower, but its 50 rooms and two suites are contemporary both in style and in comforts. Many of them have views out to sea, and the view from the infinity pool is nothing short of extraordinary. The restaurant takes maximum advantage of the Tuscan tradition and the Maremma’s phenomenal seafood, and the beach club offers secluded access to a cove called Cala Piatti, which incidentally features some surprisingly good diving. Cala Piccola has been a favorite since Liz Taylor and Richard Burton visited half a century ago — proof that some kinds of hospitality never really go out of style.

Please note:
Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola is a seasonal hotel, open annually from April through October.