Hotel Check: Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa

BEST FOR Sweeping views and enchanting rambles through the Tuscan countryside

DON’T MISS Complimentary wine tastings in the lounge many evenings of the week

PRICE Internet rates for a traditional room start at $180.

CONTACT Via Giovanni Pascoli,Castelvecchio Pascoli,Barga, 55051 Italia.Tel 39-0583-7691.renaissancetuscany.com

VERDICT

Within minutes, guests are a car ride away from beautiful towns like Barga, Lucca, and even Florence and Cinque Terre. This is the ideal home base for day trips all around Tuscany.

BACKGROUND

Central to many of the region’s popular sites, this comprehensive Marriott property offers 178 rooms and suites with resort-style amenities and modern accommodations amid a postcard-perfect setting.

WHERE IS IT?

A short drive from the town of Barga and just over an hour’s drive from Florence, this cherished resort is convenient to a variety of day trip activities (yet a world away from the hustle of crowded tourist traps given its hillside perch). Part of Il Ciocco development, this is a getaway beloved by many Italians.

WHAT”S IT LIKE?

The spacious public areas and lush grounds seem plucked from a storybook. The panoramic pool has uncompromised views of the valley and Apennine Mountains in the distance. Conference and incentive groups appreciate the resort’s exceptional dining. As a Marriott Bonvoy property, the hotel sees plenty of American visitors.

ROOMS

Modern and bright, rooms show off Tuscan hues of beige, green, and red. Framed photographs of local scenery hang by paired queen or king beds topped with plump duvets. In-the-know designers smartly placed power outlets by the beds and opted for dining tables instead of desks since they perform both functions equally well.

Rainfall showers with separate hand-held nozzles help wash away the jet lag, and vanities are well-stocked with Tokyo Milk toiletries. Rooms are divided between various buildings, but any room facing the valley is a winner. Furnished balconies in almost all accommodations mean that, no matter what the view, there is always an opportunity to relax outdoors. The most noteworthy rooms are those closest to the pool as they have front-row seats to the valley and helicopter landing pad.

FOOD AND DRINK

Indoor and outdoor seating in the main restaurant please every type of traveler. Breakfast is served buffet-style with a variety of fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses, juices, and hot options. Lunch and dinner come from a seasonal menu that includes everything from freshly made pasta and ravioli to the famous Tuscan Chianina beef.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES

You will find free wireless Internet signals everywhere including on the terrace and by the pool. Cleverly tucked away from most public areas, the vast meeting space is designed to welcome large group events without intrusion.

LEISURE 

The swimming pool and terrace are focal points, but an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and steam room are also available. The spa offers massage and beauty treatments. A variety of excursions are bookable through the hotel’s “navigator team” (concierge) including vineyard visits with wine tastings, hiking through the mountains, and shopping in local markets with the chef. Outside of restaurant hours, guests can order light meals and all kinds of drinks in the lobby lounge.