Introducing you to the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa in Tuscany, Italy
Nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa makes for an unforgettable and idyllic rustic retreat.
It’s remote, once you are there unless you have a car or access to a taxi, you are pretty much confined to the resort as nothing is within walking distance, but if this doesn’t faze you and a ‘do nothing’ kind of holiday appeals, then this four-star hotel will certainly appeal.
The biggest draw to this hotel and spa resort is the spectacular scenery which is simply spell-binding. It’s set on a lush green hilltop surrounded by over 1,500 acres of land which includes the Serchio Valley.
The nearest town Barga is just a short drive away where you can find a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants.
Everything you need is at this mid-Century Marriott-owned resort including a rather sublime spa. Expansive is an understatement, it feels huge despite only having 180 rooms and suites.
Upon arrival, you are greeted by a small selection of shops and the resort entrance with its warm terracotta exterior and terrace which overlooks a large azure-hued swimming pool.
Most of the rooms afford awe-inspiring views of the pristine Serchio valley making it quite the impressive wake up call when you open up the shutters first thing in the morning.
At night, the expansive skies are filled with stars with the surrounding towns lights twinkling in the distance.
The 180 rooms of the hotel are spread across two buildings and over seven floors. All are elegantly finished with a blend of traditional Tuscan styling and contemporary touches.
We stayed in a delightful junior suite which had a large bathroom complete with tub, a huge walk-in wardrobe (with his and hers bathrobes), seating area and a super-soft king sized bed.
There’s also a large balcony with those all-important valley views, ideal for enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning. Each room has lovely touches of detail including plush armchairs, crisp white linens and a lovely marble bathroom.
One of the main attractions is the spa which has a superb selection of both traditional and more wellness-oriented spa treatments.
From relaxing massages to invigorating scrubs and streamlining wraps, if you are looking to reach an inner (and indeed outer!) state of zenned out bliss, you are most certainly in the right place.
Guests can also take advantage of both the heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room as well as the aforementioned outdoor pool.
There’s also a gym and a tranquility-inducing relaxation area for those wanting to take a slightly less active approach.
The hotel’s main restaurant is Le Salette which serves up a fantastic selection of typical Tuscan dishes which includes a pretty mean risotto.
The waiting staff both at dinner and breakfast are absolutely first-class and made every effort to give us a magical experience. Dishes include an intriguing octopus tentacles on purple potato, salmon tartare, saffron risotto, Tuscan style soup, potato gnocchi and honey-glazed duck breast.
Whilst some might feel a smidge cut off, there’s something truly timeless and liberating about this hotel which really allows you to unwind. If stunning views somewhere that is truly special is high on the agenda, make sure you head on over to this off-the-beaten-path valley and rellllllaaaaxxxxx.
Check in: Double rooms start from £130 per night (not including breakfast)
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