Villa La Massa is a rural oasis close to the Chianti region, with a magnifcent location on the banks of the Arno just 7 km from Florence. A 16th century architectural gem that has been lovingly restored by its iconic sister property, Villa d’Este, to emulate the splendour of the great Tuscan villas. I have often stayed in beautiful properties in Florence but to me Villa La Massa, being so close to the centre of the city, is defnitely the place to enjoy the best of both worlds. Especially as it offers a complimentary shuttle with a journey time of only 15 minutes. Apart from its unique river-side position and spectacular views of the Tuscan hills, cypresses and olive groves, I was struck most by the impeccable, sincere and friendly service; there are plenty of fve-star properties where you experience good, professional service but here it’s absolutely genuine in the true sense of the word. I had a wonderful conversation with General Manager, Stefano Venturi, who explained that the most important duty of the staff is to make sure that every guest enjoys excellent service and feels at home away from home but also that every guest can relax in a perfect, private way. It’s no surprise that this unique treasure, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, has regular guests who come back every year to take a break from the hustle and bustle of day-to- day life. And I can’t wait to join them.

Copyright 2019 Mart Engelen