Castiglion del Bosco
Recently opened to just a privileged few, Castiglion del Bosco is a truly special and unique estate in Southern Tuscany owned by Massimo Ferragamo of the Florentine fashion dynasty.
Originally conceived as a members club (the villas on the estate are still strictly off limits to non-members), twenty four spacious suites in the heart of the 18th century village have been made available to non-members on a hotel basis for the next few years. All the bedrooms are entirely individual but share the same exceptionally high standard of luxury and comfort. Stone fireplaces, lovingly stocked book cases, bespoke beds by Vinsentin Casa, cut glass crystal by La Moleria Locchi and even door handles by Il Bronzetto are just a few examples. Our favourite room is the huge presidential suite with its discreet private entrance and vast terrace which looks out over the staggeringly beautiful moonscape of the Val D’Orcia. Following the Ferragamo mantra that “beauty has no limits” this timeless sense of style and understated chic can be found in the smallest of details from the hand stitched leather key rings to the domino and back gammon sets specially created by Renzo Romagnoli.
The glorious infinity pool maybe enough for most of us who just want to sit and absorb the view, but for those looking for a little more to do there is ‘La Canonica Tuscan’ cooking school, in room spa treatments (a spa replete with yoga studio, holistic therapies, hammam and hydrotherapy pools is due to open in 2010) and a fitness centre. The estate itself is vast and offers plenty of opportunity for walks, picnics, horse-riding and depending on the season hunting game and truffles through the pine-forests, olive groves, vineyards and rolling fields.
The wine produced on the estate is considered some of the finest Brunello di Montalcino and guests can enjoy a tour followed by tasting in the new state of the art winery. There are two restaurants on the estate, one is a charming osteria based above the village shop (stocked with divine products to take home) and the other is a more elegant affair, both produce daily from the enchanting organic vegetable and fruit garden.
Castiglion del Bosco truly is a very special place, go now before the estate becomes closed to non-members forever.