EXTERNAL DESCRIPTION
Villa Castello is a wonderful villa located near Siena, amidst the vineyards and hills of Chianti area, with breathtaking views over the city of the Palio.
From the entrance of the property, you have to walk a 400-meter-long driveway (bounded by hedges and olive trees) leading to a roundabout surrounded by centuries-old cypresses. This roundabout was chosen by the Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci for an important sequence in his film “Stealing Beauty”.
After the roundabout, continuing to walk along the driveway between olive groves, you will reach the villa.
The property – owned by a couple of cosmopolitan architects – is surrounded by a large garden designed with medicinal plants according to the “Genius Loci” of the Siena countryside.
Inside the garden, there are several areas characterised by pergolas, by shaded areas around the swimming pool, by a loggia with sofas and a dining area overlooking the courtyard, ideal for alfresco breakfasts and candlelight dinners.
The outdoor areas are embellished with a salt water swimming pool (5 x 15 m), equipped with lounge open bar and shaded pavilions with sunbeds and deck chairs.
Lastly, at guests' disposal a vegetable garden, an orchard and a table tennis.
Thanks to its magical beauty, Villa la Rotonda has appeared in major international magazines such as “House and Garden”, “Architectural Digest”, “Architektur and Wohnen”, “Class”, as well as on the cover of the French book “L’Art de Vivre en Toscane”.
INTERNAL DESCRIPTION
The property, made up of the main building and the medieval tower, can accommodate up to 14 people for a total of 8 bedrooms and 7 bathroom (including 6 ensuite).
Villa Castello is the result of a careful restoration made by the owners, a couple of architects who designed both the interiors with a minimalist approach and the garden surrounding the villa where the landscape blends with the traces of the hedges, the parterres and the lawns.
Main house (450 sqm): Set on 2 floors with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.
After the hall, on the ground floor you will find a living room with sofas, and a spacious kitchen, equipped with fireplace, oven, refrigerator and dishwasher. Following a dining room with French windows opening onto a patio.
Two bedrooms make the rest of this floor: one with a king size bed (180 x 210 cm) and ensuite bathroom with bathtub; the other with a single bed (140 x 200 cm) and ensuite bathroom with shower.
Upstairs there is another living room with sofas, fireplace and grand piano, and a studio with a large flat-screen tv, an Apple computer and a library.
The sleeping area consists of three rooms: the first one with double bed (160 x 200 cm), dressing room and ensuite bathroom with bathtub; the second one with single bed (140 x 200 cm) and ensuite bathroom with shower; the third one with 2 single beds (of 80 x 200 cm each) and ensuite bathroom with bathtub.
Tower (150 m): Spread over 3 floors with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
On the ground floor is a living room with fireplace, a dining room and a kitchenette.
On the first floor you will find a double bedroom (160 x 200 cm) with ensuite bathroom with shower.
The top floor consists of 2 twin bedrooms (with single beds of 80 x 200 cm each), which share a bathroom with bathtub.
Included free Wi-Fi in most of the house, in the loggias and in the sheltered outdoor area around the pool. Pets are not allowed.
OUR OPINION
Wonderful villa with a medieval tower, located in the Siena countryside (maximum privacy and tranquility), a few km from Siena, with breathtaking views over the Chianti hills.
It boasts several comforts (Wi-fi access, satellite TV, barbecue, table tennis, piano) and is the ideal accommodation for families or groups of friends wishing to spend an unforgettable holiday in one of the most beautiful landscapes of Tuscany.
CONDITIONS AND PRICES
This property can only be booked from Saturday to Saturday.
Included in the price: Final cleaning; park pool and house maintenance; utilities (gas, water, electricity); towels and sheets provided.
Security Deposit: Customers are required to pay 2.000,00€ security deposit upon arrival (cash), which will be returned at the end of the stay upon damages.
APE energy certification level: G 132.5 kWh/m2 per year
This property for rent is not a hotel, agritourism, B&B or similar, and therefore by law, extra services similar to those you may find in these types of accommodations, such as a reception, concierge or security, receiving mail, provision of meals and drinks, cleaning and change of linen during your stay, and amenity kits with soaps etc. are strictly prohibited.
DESTINATIONS
Villa La Rotonda is situated in the wonderful Siena countryside, just 8.5 km from Siena.
Siena is a people-centered city, built at the top of three hills and surrounded by walls. A medieval gem of great cultural-historical value, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides, how not to be kidnapped by the charm of the Palio, the historic horse race of clear medieval origin, which has been taking place continuously for over a hundred years attracting tourists from around the world.
Good Siena cuisine lovers be not disappointed by the traditional sweets (such as "ricciarelli" and "panforte") and the salty (from "pici" to the "Cinta Senese" pork) ant the famous wines of Chianti Classico. You can also visit the designer wineries (Badia a Coltibuono, Castel Giocondo and Ammiraglia of Marchesi de' Frescobaldi), designed by the architects-owners of Villa La Rotonda.
It is also worth visiting Siena and its surroundings: here you will find other medieval gems, of incomparable charm and still remained intact, like San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and San Galgano.
San Gimignano is one of the most beautiful medieval villages of Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous worldwide for its several medieval towers characterising its architecture and landscape.
During the Middle Ages, in fact, the great patrician families had as many as 72 towers built. Today only 14 towers remain, but the fourteenth-century look of the village is nonetheless still intact as well as those of Monteriggioni.
Besides the towers, there are also other artistic attractions such as the Romanesque cathedral, the beautiful Piazza della Cisterna, the Church of St. Augustine and the Podestà Palace, which "supports" the second highest tower of the village, Torre Rognosa (almost 52 metres high).
At guests' disposal, a book with the history of the villa, the design of the furniture, the itineraries and cultural activities (wine tasting & art tours), sporting activities (golf, polo & tennis) and wellness spa.
MAIN DISTANCES
Siena (8,5 km), Monteriggioni (25 km), San Gimignano (46 km), San Galgano (50 km), Florence (83 km), Pisa (125 km).
PARKING
8 outdoor parking places.
MORE FACILITIES
Large garden with lawns
Loggia and outdoor dining area
Barbecue
Tennis table
Vegetable garden and orchard
Breathtaking views of Siena and the Chianti hills
Private swimming pool with shaded pavilions with sunbeds and deck chairs
Fireplaces
Library
Satellite tv
Grand piano
Wifi access
Baby bed and high chair on request
Washing machine
Dryer
DVD player
BOSE system stereo
The following might be to be paid extra: Bed linen (weekly changed), Extra Cleaning, Refundable Security Deposit in cash, Tourist tax, Utilities.
