1. Overview
A night inside the GoTravelDaily reader-favorite Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco.
2. Arrival at the Resort
When you cross the threshold of the world’s best hotel, you carry with you the baggage of very high expectations. My check-in at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco was accompanied by two biases in my suitcase—first, the weight of the GoTravelDaily’s 2022 World’s Best Awards recognizing this hotel as the best in the world, and second, my familiarity from being a longtime neighbor of the hotel. I have lived in Umbria, near the Tuscan border, for over 13 years, continuously visiting and writing about accommodations across Italy. Frankly, I was a little Tuscany’d out. My Umbrian-born partner is even more critical; he perceives any praise of Tuscany as an affront to our smaller, earthier region and feels compelled to defend beloved Umbria.
Yet, even my Tuscany-skeptic husband was astounded by this property.
3. The Journey to Castiglion Del Bosco
Our journey began when we turned our car off the main thoroughfare onto the groomed gravel road that leads to the expansive 5,000-acre resort. The verdant landscape of Italy’s only private golf course opened up around us as we journeyed through the namesake bosco—or woodlands—until we reached the hotel reception. We could glimpse the stone borgo atop the hill, punctuated by tall, slender cypress trees—iconic landmarks of Tuscany. Our car and suitcase were whisked away upon arrival, and truthfully, our emotional baggage soon followed suit.
4. Overview of the Hotel’s Concept
Originally opened to guests in 2010 by the Ferragamo family, Castiglion del Bosco has embraced the Rosewood brand since 2015. As an early entrant into Italy’s thriving borgo hotel scheme, the resort has repurposed abandoned medieval hamlets into upscale accommodations, offering an immersive experience of rural Italy. This curated experience includes sleeping and dining in historical buildings while participating in cultural enrichment and culinary experiences—all within the charming confines of the village.
5. The Borgo Experience
At Castiglion, the borgo comprises restored farmhouses from the 17th and 18th centuries, adjacent to the evocative ruins of a small castle—the castiglion—dating back to the 1100s. Nestled within the compound is a still-consecrated 14th-century church adorned with frescos by the Lorenzetti brothers, two pivotal figures in medieval Italian art. From various viewpoints across the resort—including restaurant patios, terraced gardens, and a heated saltwater pool—the breathtaking Val d’Orcia unfolds. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this valley showcases the Renaissance rural landscape characterized by rolling fields, stands of woods, cypress-lined roads, and impeccably maintained walled cities such as nearby Montalcino and Pienza.
6. Luxurious Accommodations
My spouse and I found ourselves frequently repeating the word impeccabile while discovering the comprehensive Tuscan dream that Castiglion del Bosco provides. Our accommodations included a borgo suite, one of five suite categories available, featuring 828 square feet of spacious living. The suite included a living area equipped with a bar, fireplace, library, and a welcoming dining table, inviting us to linger longer. The separate bedroom, expansive marble bathroom, and walk-through wardrobe complemented our luxurious experience. After indulging in afternoon tea and snacks at the borgo bar, I scheduled a red grape-infused massage at the spa.
7. Spa and Wellness
During my spouse and daughter’s exploration of the grounds, I made my way to the resort’s small spa. The facility features three individual treatment rooms and two for couples. I enjoyed a rejuvenating head-to-toe massage incorporating locally sourced grape seed oil and lavender aromatherapy, extending a delightful full 60 minutes—luxurious in comparison to typical offerings. I concluded my pampering session in the private wellness lounge, enjoying exclusive access to the dry sauna, hammam, relaxation area, and refreshments—all at no extra cost for hotel guests.
8. Dining Experience
After leaving the spa, I reunited with my family on the bocce court before heading to the bar for pre-dinner cocktails alongside live music. Our dinner unfolded at Campo del Drago—one of two on-property restaurants (three when the seasonal golf club dining room opens)—which recently earned its first Michelin star. Executive chef Matteo Temperini showcases the rich culinary heritage of his home province of Siena, delivering dishes that are both enticingly familiar and intriguingly novel. A highlights include the beef stew-filled tortelli with panforte seasoning topped with black truffle, and a roast pigeon served with root vegetables from the resort’s organic garden. During our visit coinciding with white truffle season, my husband savored a remarkable truffle dish featuring a generous shaving of this exquisite fungus over two poached eggs.
9. Breakfast and Wine Tour
Morning at Campo del Drago entailed an abundant breakfast buffet complemented by a menu of made-to-order specialties like eggs Benedict and pancakes. Subsequently, we embarked on a wine tour and tasting at the Castiglion del Bosco winery, founded by the Ferragamos, and a forerunner of the Brunello di Montalcino wine consortium that established Brunello as one of Italy’s most sought-after wines. Our tour included a visit to the rotunda-shaped sanctuary housing private collections in individually labeled lockers, where we spotted names like Justin and Jessica Timberlake amidst the others. Naturally, this visit culminated in a Brunello tasting.
10. Conclusion
At Castiglion del Bosco, every detail is meticulously attended to, creating a space that feels both impeccably polished and warmly inviting. This attention to detail creates a palpable sense of place, distinguishing Castiglion from many competitors within the borgo hotel category. Driving home through the serene, winter-bare fields of Val d’Orcia, I encouraged my husband to reflect on how the resort and its surrounding countryside epitomize the Tuscan ideal for travelers. He yielded, stating, “But that was perfect.”
