Fonteverde Tuscan Resort & Spa ★★★★★

Regrettably, it is not that often I get the chance to say “I’m going on a thermal spa retreat in a restored Medici palace”, so once I booked my stay at the Fonteverde Tuscan Resort & Spa ***** you can be sure I didn’t stop talking about it for weeks. Built at the prime of the Renaissance era in 1607, the magnificent hotel resides in San Casciano dei Bagni, an achingly pretty medieval village built on thermal springs in the heart of Tuscany.

Not one to be outshone by its surroundings, however, the hotel itself is magnificent at first sight. With grandiose arches and ornate stone carvings contrasting the more contemporary spa facilities, it masterfully combines historic architecture with modern luxury. Rich fabrics are used throughout the hotel in the soft furnishings and sweeping curtains, beautifully complementing the antique furniture and the lingering feeling of historical majesty. My own room, a little cocoon of silence, greeted me with a sumptuously comfortable bed and - perhaps most pleasingly of all - outstanding views of the Val d’Orcia hills.

Managing to detach myself from the incredible vistas in my room I made my way down to the spa, the real incentive for my visit. Fairly well-versed in holiday indulgence, I was left speechless at the facilities available at the Fonteverde Tuscan Resort *****, which felt like the final word on all hotel spas everywhere. In addition to an already impressive selection of treatments, including those drawing from ancient Mediterranean and Oriental rituals, I made sure to take advantage of the incredible natural springs, which have been enjoyed since Etruscan times. And I could see why – soaking in the saline waters and drinking in the panoramic views across the Tuscan hills, it felt like time had stood still just for me.

Of course it wouldn’t be a sojourn in Tuscany without sampling the local cuisine, so in the interest of authenticity (naturally) I wines and dined on Chef Salvatore Quarto’s beautifully light cuisine as often as my waistline would permit me. My stay at the Fonteverde Tuscan Resort & Spa may have been a step back into the past, but the indulgence here is simply timeless.