Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort Tuscany, Autograph Collection

Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of thermal spas across Italy, but Grotta Giusti honestly feels like you’ve stumbled into something out of a fairy tale – and I mean that in the best possible way. The moment you pull up that winding drive off Via Grotta Giusti, you’re hit with this gorgeous 19th-century villa that somehow manages to look both grand and welcoming at the same time. The parking situation is actually pretty smooth, which is a relief because let’s be honest, navigating Tuscan hill towns with luggage isn’t exactly fun.

What makes this place special isn’t just the beautiful rooms (though they’re lovely) – it’s that underground grotto they’re named after. I mean, you literally descend into this natural thermal cave that Giusti discovered back in 1849, and the whole experience is just… well, it’s surreal. The air gets thicker as you go deeper, and you can hear this gentle echoing of water drops that’s somehow both mysterious and incredibly relaxing. Most people don’t realize you can actually book different levels of the grotto experience – the upper level is perfect if you’re claustrophobic, but honestly, going all the way down is worth it if you can handle it. The thermal pools outside are gorgeous too, especially in the evening when they light them up and you’ve got the Tuscan hills rolling away in the distance.

The spa treatments are where they really shine – they use the thermal waters in ways I hadn’t experienced before, and the staff actually knows their stuff about the healing properties rather than just going through the motions. Food-wise, the restaurant is solid without being pretentious, which is refreshing. They do this amazing thing with local ingredients that doesn’t feel forced or overly “farm-to-table” trendy. Monsummano itself is one of those sleepy Tuscan towns that most tourists skip, which means you’re getting an authentic slice of local life when you wander down for an espresso or evening aperitivo. It’s about a 20-minute drive to Montecatini if you want more action, but honestly, the whole point is to slow down here. The only minor complaint I’d have is that the WiFi can be spotty in some of the older parts of the building, but you know what? That might actually be a blessing in disguise. This isn’t the kind of place where you want to be checking emails anyway – it’s where you want to lose track of time in those thermal waters and remember why you fell in love with Tuscany in the first place.