Villa Cicolina

Just down the road from the postcard-perfect medieval town of Montepulciano, Villa Cicolina is a quiet, country-chic villa surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The aristocratic families that used to summer at the old house left behind a legacy of well-preserved ceiling frescoes, artwork, and period furniture, lending the hotel an old-fashioned air, while today’s owners have endeavored to make the beautifully adorned rooms feel comfortable and lived-in — the sort of boutique hotel where you’d feel comfortable kicking back on a 16th-century loveseat while enjoying a glass of Vino Nobile.

Though wi-fi throughout the hotel keeps it firmly grounded in the here and now, each of the uniquely decorated rooms and suites highlights family heirlooms and stays true to the villa’s origins. The Le Perle suite, painted in rosy hues, features a whimsical wrought-iron bed and bronze statuary, while the farmhouse-style Il Camino suite, with its wood-paneled ceiling and shuttered windows, looks out over the Tuscan countryside. Spacious apartment-sized units, housed next door in a building where the farm’s chickens used to peck, are more simply decorated, and perhaps better suited to families.

The villa’s lovely public spaces are the hotel’s highlight. Outdoors you'll find a travertine fountain surrounded by a rose garden, and hidden away in a profusion of flowers and greenery is a historic chapel. But best of all is the elegant pool. Situated on the edge of the hill, it offers swimmers panoramic views over the valley. Inside, a centuries-old wine cellar supplies vintage reds to the dinner table. Rich Tuscan pastas and grilled meats are served al fresco at dinner; the homemade cuisine relies heavily on local cheeses and prosciutto, products for which the the region is famous.

Please note: Villa Cicolina is open seasonally from the end of March through the end of October.