Amid Tuscany’s rolling hills of Montalbano, dotted by grape-laden vines and heavily fruited olive trees, find one of our favorite Italian escapes: Tenuta Di Artimino. Although the historic villa was built back in 1596, the hotel itself just opened in 2022 — the ninth Italian property by Spanish luxury hotel group, Melia.
Its sprawling grounds feature 102 rooms, suites, villas, and lodges, as well as a winery, gourmet restaurant, and a swimming pool. Tenuta’s rooms first served as horse stables centuries ago, and are now handsomely appointed with stone fireplaces, terracotta floors, and Tuscan sandstone elements rather than bales of hay.
Perhaps the most stunning, and unique, element of the property is the Medici villa of La Ferdinanda, which was originally built as a hunting lodge for the infamous Medici family. A grand double staircase winds its way up the front of the building and is also known as the Villa of One Hundred Chimneys, or Villa dei Cento Camini, thanks to its many chimney stacks that sit atop the roof. During your stay, don’t miss a chance to tour the estate, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.
Other activities on the property include lounging by the pool while admiring wide-ranging views of the Tuscan countryside, renting a bicycle from reception to explore the area, or taking a cooking class at Tenuta’s Biagio Pignatta restaurant. There, learn how to make your pasta from scratch as well as typical Italian almond cookies. A locally guided truffle hunting adventure is also on offer, as well as a honey tour and tasting by their resident beekeeper.
Of course, a visit to Tenuta di Artimino also wouldn’t be complete without a wine tasting, especially considering they lay claim to one of the oldest and smallest DOCGs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) in the world. The property offers several ways to experience their Carmignano wines on-property, from guided tastings with their sommelier to a charming al fresco picnic experience comprising a basket full of Tuscan specialties and a bottle of wine from the Tenuta di Artimino.
Top Takeaways
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Rating: Four-Star
The vibe: A history-rich countryside retreat, with charm and culinary activities to spare.
Food + Drink: Biagio Pignatta restaurant on-property, and La Cantina del Redi in the nearby town of Artimino. Tastings of the estate’s wines are also available to book, as well as al fresco picnic experiences in a grove of olive trees.
Amenities: Outdoor pool with sun loungers, full-service spa, room service, bike rentals, and a tennis court.
Any personal neighborhood recs? Just a short walk or bike ride away from the hotel, you’ll find the quiet but charming village of Artimino — where you can enjoy a meal at Tenuta’s La Cantina del Redi restaurant with stunning vineyard views. Grab a gelato from a local shop while you’re down there. We recommend paying a visit to the hotel’s spa, too.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The original detailing, such as the large marble staircase, makes you feel like you stepped back in time.
What’s nearby? Besides the town of Artimino, many of the region’s best winery experiences are also a short drive away.
Rooms: 102, spread across the main property (32 rooms), the Medieval Borgo (59 apartments), and Le Fagianaie near the village (6 apartments).
Pricing: Starting nightly rates at $300/night.
Closest Airport: Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR)
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