Villasanpaolo

A big parking area with lots of free spots to park separates the road from the entrance of Villasanpaolo. The modern part of the hotel, Il Borgo, is a two-story building with cream colored walls and plain, condo-style architecture. All the common areas are concentrated in this building, including the lobby, which blends contemporary decor and Italian vintage design elements. Il Borgo also houses two restaurants, the spa, and some of the rooms, many facing of which look out on an inner garden. There are also two 19th-century villas -- Villa San Paolo and l’Orciaia -- in a more intimate location in the garden next to the pool.

Villasanpaolo is on a winding road that connects two medieval villages -- Certaldo and San Gimignano -- both of which can be reached by car in 10 to 15 minutes. The hotel is in the countryside and there’s virtually nothing but nature within in walking distance; many guests love this hotel for its relaxing seclusion, but those wanting to explore the area really need a car. Cities such as Florence or Siena, or the Chianti area, which is famous for its wines, are within an hour's drive.

Rooms are divided in several categories: Class, Prestige, and Suites. Decor varies slightly depending on the building -- for example, some have patterned floral bedspreads and curtains that create a quaint, feminine look, while others have more modern white bedding. Most have white or wicker furniture accents and printed fabrics that add a slightly homey, country vibe to the spaces, though the overall feel is no-frills. Il Borgo -- the main, modern building -- has contemporary dark-brown furniture, with moquette or cotto tile floors. The two villas have more classical -- yet plain and unimpressive -- decor, with moulding and, in some cases, fireplaces. Bathrooms are plain but modern and some come with hot tubs. 

One of the most popular features at Villasanpaolo is the spa, open to non-hotel guests. Although the spa is large, only a certain number of people are allowed in at a time, and it can fill up during the weekends. Note that there's a fee to use the spa (although this is included in some of the hotel packages). On days where the spa is full, guests can still take advantage of the separate pool, which has beautiful views of San Gimignano’s towers.

There are also two restaurants at the hotel. The more formal L’Ampolla serves Tuscan cuisine in an octagonal modern hall. It also has a small gazebo for alfresco dining with beautiful views of the green countryside. The other restaurant, L’Osteria, is informal and serves snacks and pizzas. Cantina, the cellar, has a tasting menu and wine tasting and can accommodate up to eight guests. Breakfast, half-board, and all-inclusive rates are available.