Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery

Hotel Description

You know that feeling when you’re driving through Tuscany and suddenly see a castle perched on a hill that makes you slow down just to stare? That’s basically Castello di Velona – except you can actually stay there, which honestly still feels a bit surreal even after checking out.

The place sits up in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, about 15 minutes from Montalcino proper, and I mean *sits* – it’s got these sweeping views over the Val d’Orcia that’ll have you understanding why every travel photographer camps out in this corner of Tuscany. The approach is pretty dramatic too, winding up through vineyards (their own, actually) until you reach this restored medieval fortress that somehow doesn’t feel like a theme park. The thermal spa is built right into the hillside below the main castle, and honestly, soaking in those outdoor pools while looking out over the countryside is about as close to perfection as it gets. The water has this slightly sulfurous smell that takes a minute to get used to, but it’s the real deal – not some fancy hotel pool dressed up to look rustic.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to keep things feeling authentic while still being properly luxurious. The rooms in the main castle have these thick stone walls and original architectural details, but the beds are fantastic and the bathrooms are thoroughly modern (thank goodness, because medieval plumbing is nobody’s friend). The restaurant focuses heavily on their own wine – they’re serious about the winery part of their name – and the sommelier actually knows the stories behind each bottle instead of just rattling off tasting notes. Fair warning though: if you’re planning to explore Montalcino’s town center in the evenings, you’ll need a car since it’s not exactly walking distance, and the road can be a bit tricky in the dark. But that isolation is sort of the point – you’re here to disconnect and soak up the Tuscan countryside, not bar hop. The staff seemed genuinely proud of the place rather than just going through hospitality motions, which makes a difference when you’re asking for restaurant recommendations or trying to figure out the best time to visit the nearby Sant’Antimo abbey (early morning, by the way, before the tour groups arrive). It’s definitely not cheap, but for a special occasion or if you’ve been saving up for that proper Tuscan escape, it delivers on pretty much every romantic countryside fantasy you might have.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $496. Prestige Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $548. Classic Junior Suite with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $654. Junior Suite with Terrace with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $812. Two-Bedroom Suite with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $970. Suite with Terrace with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,360. UNESCO view terrace Velona Suite with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,855. Suite with Private Pool with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $2,329. Apartment with Terrace with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $2,667. Apartment – Split Level with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Short break in Tuscany – Kathleen from Australia – 22 May 2025 (9/10)

  Fabulous pool facilities and room very comfortable .
  Restaurant was excellent and the staff were very helpful . Would definitely return .
  
  What could be improved: Had to ask for a jug & tea which should have been in the room . Laundry costly !

• An amazing place in the Tuscany countryside – Gianpaolo from Italy – 5 November 2024 (9/10)

  The resort is simply placed in paradise with an amazing view of the countryside…relax and wellness are embedded in this place…the staff is amazing…just ready to make you feel the best of your experience…
  
  What could be improved: Hard to find something to complain about. If you want to be a bit picky you could say that restaurant’ costs (including the restaurant on the pools) are too expensive compared to the normal costs…but I guess you pay also the beauty of the place and the surrounding…

• Awesome experience – Daniele from Italy – 11 September 2024 (9/10)

  All. Very clean. Kindness of personnel. Pool and restaurant.
  
  What could be improved: I suggest to forbid SPA to kids cause it should be a relax area and not a children noisy playground. For this reason it can be useful control randomly the access to the area.
  We have asked for more shampoo and towels and we didn’t received it, so we went to reception in order to get them.

• It is this amazing place for vacation where you want to come back again and again 🙂 – Carole from Lebanon – 13 August 2023 (8/10)

  Exceptional Location- amazing scenery- eau thermal – tasty food and wine
  
  What could be improved: It needs a bit of revamping the furniture especially

• A stunning castle set in beautiful Tuscany. – Paul from New Zealand – 21 August 2022 (9/10)

  An extraordinary property set amongst stunning country side.
  
  What could be improved: We felt the dining/drinks costs were a bit excessive, but not unexpected.

• beautiful but feels to commercial – Maurits from Netherlands – 13 August 2022 (7/10)

  stunning views and beautiful hotel. excellent restaurant and service in the restaurant
  
  What could be improved: everything feels like they need to make more money. it’s expensive which is fine but then every step you take feels like they want to squeeze a few more bucks out of you- which just makes it overall less hospitable

• Great location – room to increase service – Yuia from Russia – 16 May 2024 (7/10)

  Absolutely undoubted location. Best view ever and best in Val d’ Orcia. Old castle and great territory. Warm natural bath is a magnet. Above all expectations.
  
  What could be improved: Premium price and not enough premium service. No glasses in the room. The price of 1000 euro per night average does also oblige you to pay 15 euro for the empty 3 glasses ordered at 23.00 as you bought the wine. 5 people at least meet you. But you are not offered the water. The language speaking manager like she introduces herself for some reason prefers to communicate in English by WApp. I had to translate to my husband back and forth. Interesting service on the restaurant both on breakfast and dinner. Some people speak no language except Italian. Forget the drinks. One day charge you for eggs. Another day forget but charge the water. Breakfast included does mean at least 1 hot dish. Not just cheese and mortadella. In principle with this night price it is peanuts. But on the other hand feels annoying as you have doubts you are not really welcome and have overpaid a lot. Serving Brunello that stayed in the bottle for at least a week – or otherwise Brunello of most low taste – at 30 euro per plastic glass in the pool is a shame. You better offer the best one of it free or charge if you present in the lobby the crystal decor pack for the wine. People will but bottles and you don’t have to charge empty glasses. Wine tasting 120 euro min per person is a 5 times price vs around sites. Cleaning pool same time people swim there is unbelievably weird. But at least those world were done by person who spoke best English there and was very careful in terms of enough clean towels water sauna etc.

• Overall a great stay with pool bar staff friendly, efficient and obliging. – David from South Africa – 15 October 2023 (8/10)

  Location,views and facilities
  
  What could be improved: Main dining room service slow at night and overpriced

• Amazing location and experience – Faitaki from Greece – 10 June 2025 (9/10)

  The location is amazing and the staff very helpful. The outdoor hot pools available all day until midnight is an exceptional experience.
  
  What could be improved: Some decoration is a little bit outdated and the bathrooms may need soon to be renovated … but overall an excellent experience.

• Good – Yat212 from Hong Kong – 11 August 2023 (7/10)

  The location is truly amazing. The view of the hotel as you drive up to it is quite powerful. However, as you enter the lobby area, it's immediately visible that it's not super well updated. The 2 bedroom suite was in the original medieval tower section, so it was very old style as in Medieval style old with very small windows. I requested for a change to their updated modern wing, but there were none available. In the end, it was acceptable since it was only for a night and it was an interesting experience to be in such a setting even though the bathrooms also felt outdated. I read reviews that the pool temperature is too hot, but it wasn't. The water felt good in the scorching heat. The pool area did feel outdated with lounge chairs with paint chipped off. The whole pool area was a bit odd as they had some staff there who only stood there and never even came around to offer towels or pool side menu for drinks. The restaurant was quite decent and we enjoyed both dinner and breakfast. As the review said, it was overpriced, but the food quality was very good. Would it be a place to return to? Probably not. After staying at the COMO Castello di Velona the night before, this hotel was okay, but just outdated.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities