Modern Luxury in a Medieval Hamlet at Monteverdi Tuscany

Monteverdi Tuscany is so unique that its appeal is hard to sum up in a tidy package. Nestled into the tiny, ancient village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro, deep in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, this luxurious escape plays old-world allure against contemporary chic, artfully blending both into the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape. The property is as natural a fit for families as it is for adults in search of a romantic weekend or a getaway with friends. It’s exceptional, in every sense of the word.

Family-Friendly Review of Monteverdi Tuscany

Accommodations

Monteverdi has 10 hotel rooms and suites, plus three standalone villas. Leading designer Ilaria Miana gave each room a distinctive personality, mixing and matching textures and styles with a deft, inventive hand and a hint of whimsy. Original ceiling beams, ancient brick walls and hand-dyed fabrics mingle with minimalist furnishings, sleek fixtures and over-the-top bathrooms. Subtle, tone-on-tone palettes, enlivened with bold dabs of color here and there, reflect the serenity of the village and the valley beyond.

Two of the hotel rooms connect to create a larger unit for families, and the suites have space for rollaway beds. Cribs are available on request as well.

We stayed in the luxurious six-bedroom Villa Muri Antichi, a retreat all its own. In addition to a living room and a sprawling gourmet kitchen, it has a private wine cellar, a library and a gorgeous outdoor terrace … top-to-bottom pampering! The size and setup are perfect for a multigenerational group, or two to three small families traveling together. Single families may prefer the two-bedroom Villa San Pietro or three-bedroom Villa Amiata, more compact but no less elegant.

Activities and Amenities

Although it’s small and simple, Monteverdi’s infinity pool is a property highlight. It’s tucked into a slope with views of the Val d’Orcia spreading before it. The weather didn’t cooperate for a swim during our visit, but I imagine floating at the pool’s edge on a hot day, watching the sun play over the lush green hills in the distance, must be glorious.

Monteverdi welcomes kids, but there isn’t a club or an extensive list of activities geared toward families. However, children’s activities can be organized on request, and the property has multiple gardens and plenty of flat, grassy open spaces where little ones can run or toss a ball while parents lounge in the sling chairs.

Other amenities include a gym, a brand-new spa, a small art gallery and an archaeological park with an active dig. The concierge team can book private, custom tours and excursions, from wine and food tastings and truffle hunts to hot air ballooning and biking. Onsite, guests might opt for a cooking class, relax with a yoga lesson or head out for a hike.

Dining

Monteverdi’s signature restaurant, Oreade, is destination-worthy. Led by the warm and welcoming chef Giancarla Bodoni, the kitchen blends an innovative, sophisticated approach with locally sourced ingredients and classic Tuscan cooking. Our dinner included asparagus cream topped with a quail egg, pici (Tuscan pasta) with wild boar ragout, and an ethereal white chocolate mousse — divine from the first bite to the last. Oreade also serves a breakfast buffet of breads and pastries, cheeses, charcuterie, yogurt and other cold foods, plus a menu of hot dishes such as eggs.

For lunch and aperitivi, there’s the Enoteca, a casual spot that offers salads, sandwiches and small plates as well as a first-rate selection of Tuscan wines. With advance notice, parents who want a mini-date night can arrange for a babysitter to look after the kids while they relax over cocktails in the cozy, low-lit Library Bar.

Families Should Know

While Monteverdi’s hillside setting means spectacular views, it also means lots of stairways and multi-level terraces that aren’t well suited for kids in strollers or people with mobility issues.

The location is a bit off-path, as guests need to drive 15 minutes up an unpaved road to reach it, but that’s part of the property’s idyllic charm. And it’s not as isolated as it may sound for sightseeing — beautiful hill towns such as Pienza, Montepulciano, Montichiello and more are less than an hour’s drive, and Siena is a very doable hour and a half.

Want Help Booking a Stay at Monteverdi Tuscany or a Family Vacation to Italy?

We can help! Our Family Vacation Consultants can work with you to plan an unforgettable trip, including accommodations, a custom itinerary, kid-friendly tours and guides and more. Visit our Connect with a Travel Advisor page to get details and send us a request.

Relevant Links:

Browse our collection of family-friendly hotels and things to do in Tuscany

Things to do in Siena with kids

A kids’ cooking class in Italy

Kid-friendly tour guides in Italy

Editor’s Note: Monteverdi Tuscany hosted Ciao Bambino in order for us to review the property. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Lisa Frederick unless otherwise noted.