Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa

Val di Pesa

The city of Florence is a treasure chest of works by artists whose fame has transcended several centuries including Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Titian and Caravaggio to mention just a few. But the city is primarily associated with one of the most outstanding geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo. This extraordinary artist stands out for the quantity and the quality of his work. Born in the Tuscany city of Caprese, he began is illustrious career in Florence. After his mother’s death, he was placed in a family of stonecutters, and it was there that his artistic vocation began to express itself. Soon after, he became the apprentice of Domenico Ghirlandaio, a well known painter of the School of Florence who, impressed by the young man’s talents, presented him to Lorenzo the 1^st, the Magnificent, a Florentine master and member of the eminent Medici family, and a great patron of the arts and literature in Florence. It was during this period that Michelangelo created the Battle of the Centaurs and Madonna of the Stairs, two statues that can be seen in Florence at the Casa Buonarroti (the artist’s family name), a museum dedicated to Michelangelo. One of his greatest works, the David, is also visible in Florence, at the Galleria dell’Accademia.

The order of the day: wellness

In the heart of the Chianti region, not far from Pisa and Florence and a few kilometers from the little town of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, we discover the Castello del Nero. This five star spa hotel is situated in an entirely renovated 12^th century castle, surrounded by 400 hectares of greenery and landscapes as varied as they are charming. From any one of the castle’s windows, guests can contemplate the adjacent woods, the Italian style gardens with their magnificent roses as well as vineyards and olive groves symbolic of the region.

The lovely chapel, which opens onto the garden, is the ideal place for a romantic wedding.

The Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa has 50 rooms and suites, each with a refined and original décor including light colored burnt Sienna walls, terra-cotta floors and bathrooms with marble and mosaics. Centuries old frescoes, arched ceilings and furniture made with precious wood remind us that we are in a medieval castle which once belonged to rich Florentine families.

La Torre, the hotel’s restaurant, located in the former stables, proposes dishes typical of the region, using high quality seasonal products and local wine. The jewel of the hotel however, is its spa: more than 1,000 square meters totally dedicated to the well-being of mind and body. This space is ideal for a moment of peace and relaxation, thanks to the expert hands of the personnel who offer a variety of holistic treatments using essential oils, aromatherapy, wraps and lava rock massages. The use of the ESPA line of products exemplifies the hotel’s search for excellence.

“Everything is gentleness here, especially the ESPA design spa, whose conception is dedicated to peace and relaxation, and is an integral part of the holistic experience. Guests can spend hours letting themselves be pampered thanks to ESPA products, personalize with the cold pressed extra virgin olive oil from the castle’s own olive grove. There is no other place more magnificent for getting back onto shape than this one.” - Kate O’Donnell, Sunday Telegraph