Located amongst tranquil rolling hills and peaceful olive groves in Tuscany, Villa Fontelunga is a stylish “home away from home”. The staff is warm, inviting and they make a stay at the villa feel like you’re visiting an old friend.
As such, on Tuesdays and Fridays Villa Fontelunga has a communal dinner party and guests staying at the villa are invited to attend. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed with a glass of wine, appetizers, and the opportunity to mix and mingle with other guests from all over the world. When it was time to dine by candlelight, we sat down at a long table on the main terrace overlooking the olive trees and enjoyed a delicious three course meal that paired perfectly with Fontelunga’s own wines – Rosso di Toscana and Bianco di Toscana.
After dinner, we made our way up to our room. Fontelunga’s bedrooms are classic, simple and decorated with bedspreads and headboards in Italian prints give the rooms a lovely Tuscan feel. At sunrise, I enjoyed opening the shutters and looking out across the countryside – the view over the Val di Chiana toward Cortona with cotton candy colored skies above won’t escape from my memory. Following that, I soaked in a hot bath, meditated, and enjoyed luxurious Molton Brown products.
Each morning, I made sure to head downstairs for breakfast as there’s a wonderful spread with pastries and cakes, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and muesli. Soft-boiled eggs and cappuccinos are made-to-order. It was quite lovely eating out on the main terrace underneath the shady parasols whilst taking in the views and chatting with other guests – a great start to the day!
Although there are many opportunities to socialize, the villa and grounds are large enough that anyone wishing to have a romantic honeymoon or relaxing getaway can do so completely undisturbed.
Villa Fontelunga offers wonderful amenities such as tennis courts, mountain bikes, and a library of books. A highlight was lounging by the pool and taking in the scent of soothing lavender as it wafted over me. I was so comfortable and relaxed at the villa that I couldn’t find a reason to leave! For lunch, we dined al fresco and savored a caprese salad with tomatoes from the hotel’s garden, delicious focaccia bread, and a classic charcuterie plate. Fontelunga’s Bianco di Toscana wine paired perfectly with it!
If you feel like going offsite, the staff can provide recommendations for wineries, activities, etc. As locals, they are happy to provide suggestions for the best restaurants in town and assist with making reservations.
I left Villa Fontelunga, not only relaxed and revitalised, but also feeling that I had made some great new friends, including four-legged ones. The owner’s Jack Russell/Dachshund dogs are too adorable and were sitting by suitcases as they were ready to be packed into the car.
Owners, Philip Robinson and Paolo Kastelec have cultivated a worldwide reputation and extensive loyal customer base with their “contemporary informal luxury” properties. Check out my blog post featuring Villa Fontelunga’s sibling property, Borgo 69.
