A Foodie Paradise Near the Sea at L’Andana in Tuscany

L’Andana is set in the heart of the scenic Maremma region of Tuscany, just a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The 1,200-acre Tuscan estate offers families luxurious accommodations, impeccable service, and an exquisite Michelin-rated restaurant. Despite these grown-up pleasures, children have their own amenities including a kids’ club and pool, and well as the opportunity to take  private family cooking classes.

L’Andana Family-Friendly Hotel Review

Location

Once a Medici Villa where Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine and his court resided during the summer season, it’s easy to see why this location was chosen for such a summer residence.  It’s located just a few kilometers from the sea, yet the property is surrounded by the open Tuscan countryside. This means that families can choose between relaxing on the property or heading out to the beach for the day.

This central location also provides convenient day trip access to some of Tuscany’s most wonderful cities including Florence, Siena, and Volterra. Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosetto are close to L’Andana and also easy to access. 

Dining

L’Andana is owned together by world renown chef Alain Ducasse and the Moretti family. The two forces teamed up to create the perfect Tuscan countryside holiday with some of the best cuisine in the region. Food and wine are of central importance to L’Andana. Ducasse created the Michelin-starred, elegant Trattoria Toscana to showcase his love for Tuscany and its unique palate.

The Trattoria is Ducasse’s only Italian establishment and offers its guests the special opportunity to experience his cuisine featuring many seasonal favorites, with much of it being grown right on the property. Trattoria Toscana is a fine dining restaurant opened only in the evenings and is best suited for a quiet dining experience. The restaurant is housed in a former granary built over 100 years ago.

For families seeking a more relaxed atmosphere for dining, the villa restaurant offers a more casual dining atmosphere. The breakfast is divine, with the homemade yogurt and freshly-baked bread being must-tries.

Private Cooking Classes for Families

A true highlight of our L’Andana experience was our private cooking class with one of the chefs from Ducasse’s team. The class included an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert cake. The children were involved in every aspect of preparing and cooking the meal and enjoyed it immensely. The chef was such a pleasure and incredibly knowledgable, enthusiastically answering every inquisitive question. We were served the fruits of our labor at dinner that evening.

Amenities and Activities

L’Andana houses ESPA, a spa center that features holistic treatments from around the world. The spa boasts indoor and outdoor pools, including a salt water vitality pool and a sauna. There is also a gym, tennis courts, a driving range, a kids’ club and kids’ pool. The property can also organize hiking trips, horseback riding, bike riding, and tours of the Tanuta la Badiola wine cellar, including wine tasting in their enoteca.

Kids’ Club

Just down the path from one of the pools is L’Andana’s kids’ club, a sweet and modern space filled with toys, activities, and plenty to do for little ones, giving parents the ability to take a break.

The building has plenty of room for the children to comfortably play and is a space created specifically for them. There are also various scheduled activities including anything from art workshops to pony rides. The garden outside has a kids’ swimming pool, a ping pong table, and a pinball game.

Children aged 3 and over can attend the kids’ club alone, while kids under 3 must be accompanied by a parent. Hours are 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm daily. The rate is €30 per child, per day.

Golf Course

The golf practice course extends 30,000 squared meters. There are eight tees and four holes at distances of 50, 100, 150, and 220 meters. There is also a putting green and two pitching greens. A professional golf instructor is available for private lessons for children and adults. The use of the practice course is free for guests. There are 3 full golf courses that are less than an hour drive from the property; Golf Club Punta Ala (30 mins), Golf Club Toscana (40 mins), and Argentario Golf Club (50 mins).

Accommodations

There are two separate accommodation buildings on the property. L’Andana is the main building that offers 33 rooms and suites. Families will find themselves more comfortable in the neighboring and less formal, Tanuta la Badiola. The apartments here overlook the driving range and offer the perfect space for families to be most comfortable in their stay. Our apartment included a downstairs space featuring a stunning and luxuriously comfortable master bedroom and bathroom looking out over the driving range, a living room space, and a small kitchen area.

Upstairs, our three children slept comfortably in a beautifully decorated loft space with their own bathroom.

Surrounded by the vineyards and olive groves of the Tuscan countryside, with the sweet smelling air of the sea, L’Andana, Tenuta la Badiola is an ideal escape for a luxurious, family friendly holiday in Italy.

Need Help Booking a Room at L’Andana or Planning a Family Vacation in Italy?

We can help! Our Family Vacation Consultants can do everything from booking accommodations, to developing full itineraries including kid-friendly activities. To request a room at L’Andana, click Check Availability on the L’Andana family-friendly review in the CB! Hotel Collection. For full planning services, request assistance on our Connect with a Travel Advisor page.

Relevant Links

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52 things to know before traveling to Italy with kids

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Italy family travel: Things to do in Siena

Editor’s Note: Laurel received a media rate at L’Andana. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Laurel Perry.