Fontelunga Hotel & villas
Hotel · Arezzo ·
Shabby-chic rooms, olive groves, pools, tennis, cooking classes
Information
Via Cunicchio, 5, 52045 Pozzo della Chiana AR, Italy Get directions
Shabby-chic rooms, olive groves, pools, tennis, cooking classes
Via Cunicchio, 5, 52045 Pozzo della Chiana AR, Italy Get directions
"Arezzo The location: The city of Arezzo, in eastern Tuscany, is well-known among history buffs and wine enthusiasts alike, and is home to a famed 15th century fresco of Mary Magdalene, as well as ample Chianti wine vineyards Top amenities: Complimentary breakfast and bicycles, pool bar, on-site dinner parties, private cooking lessons at an extra cost Italy writer Bridget Arsenault kicks off her hotel review of Villa Fontelunga in the dreamiest way possible: “Set amid 200 olive trees,” she writes, “Villa Fontelunga's marmalade-colored building appears against the blue sky as you enter the driveway. Set within the beautiful hilltop town of Cortona, the hotel offers spectacular views across the Val di Chiana in the heart of Tuscany. An intimate, fairly remote Tuscan getaway, this hotel takes some research to track down. Once there, you'll find everyone from honeymooners to Italian adventure-seekers inspired by Under The Tuscan Sun to retired couples enjoying la dolce vita.”If that isn't inspiring enough, the details she reports—including the two tiny dogs who run around the property, the Tuesday and Thursday chef-hosted dinner parties, and the honesty bar by the pool—really seal the deal." - Alex Erdekian
"The original sister property launched in 2000 by two founders focused on informal luxury; it serves as a design and amenity touchstone for the newer villas, offering facilities like tennis courts and bikes that guests of the nearby smaller villas may use." - Annie Fitzsimmons
"This is the Italy of cinematic renditions: Set amid 200 olive trees, Villa Fontelunga's marmalade-colored building delights against the blue sky as you enter the driveway. Set within the beautiful hilltop town of Cortona, the hotel offers spectacular views across the Val di Chiana in the heart of Tuscany. The rooms are simple and charming, with small touches that bring each space to life, like terra cotta floors and oversize damask-patterned headboards; most come with a complimentary breakfast buffet, and there's a daily lunch and dinner twice a week. You can also book private cooking lessons (€100-€120, or about $115-$138 a person) and learn to make traditional treats like stuffed tomatoes, pasta al ragu , and beef in truffle sauce." - Bridget Arsenault
"So, can you tell us a little about this place?Set amid 200 olive trees, Villa Fontelunga's marmalade-colored building delights against the blue sky as you enter the driveway. Set within the beautiful hilltop town of Cortona, the hotel offers spectacular views across the Val di Chiana in the heart of Tuscany. Sounds lovely. What’s the crowd like?An intimate, fairly remote Tuscan getaway, this hotel takes some research to track down. Once there, you'll find everyone from honeymooners to Italian adventure-seekers inspired by Under The Tuscan Sun to retired couples enjoying la dolce vita. __That's quite the mix. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about the digs. The rooms are simple and charming, with small touches that bring each space to life, like terra cotta floors and oversize damask-patterned headboards. There are only nine of them—including one suite—so everything at this family-owned and -run hotel is personalized and old-timey—in the best possible way. The trappings aren't terribly high-tech—some rooms have CD players—but you can borrow iPod docks and DVD players (and DVDs) at the reception desk. Got it. How about the little things, like the mini-bar, or shower goodies? Anything that made your stay more comfortable?The basics are covered; for instance, free wi-fi. There's an honesty bar by the pool, so you can can fill up your wine glasses as you lounge. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, owners Paolo and Phillip bring in a local chef and host a multi-course dinner party for their guests. They also provide complimentary bikes so you can mosey through the Tuscan hills at your own pace. Perfect. How about room service, and the dining options in general: Worth it?Most rooms come with a complimentary breakfast buffet; there's also daily lunch and dinner twice a week. You can book private cooking lessons (€100-€120—about $115-$138 a person) and learn to make traditional treats like stuffed tomatoes, pasta al ragu, and beef in truffle sauce. Oh, that sounds fun. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?Owners Paolo and Philip—along with their two pint-sized dogs—make guests feel at home. Excellent. Any other services or features you'd like to shout out? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Children of all ages are welcome; cots and babysitting services can be provided. Also, the pool was recently redesigned with a new sound system. Cool. Bottom line: worth it, and why?This is the Italy of cinematic renditions; it's beautiful, intimate, and perfectly executed, and bursting with charm and style." - Bridget Arsenault
"Villa Fontelunga is not at all the stereotypical Tuscan experience. This Padronale residence has been thoroughly redesigned, and is a charming blend of old and new, an sharp contrast to the wax-museum standard of frescoes-and-antiques Italian villa hotels." - Tablet Hotels
