Mansarda Isabella

You know what? I’ve stayed in a lot of places in Tuscany, but Mansarda Isabella genuinely surprised me. It’s tucked away on Via di Mezzano in Greve in Chianti – and I mean properly tucked away, not just “charming and secluded” like the brochures say. When you’re driving through Greve, you’ll probably miss the turn the first time (I did), but once you find it, you’ll understand why this place has that crazy 9.9 rating. The building itself has this weathered stone facade that looks like it’s been watching over the Chianti hills for centuries, and honestly, it probably has. Isabella – yes, there’s actually an Isabella who runs the place – met me at check-in with this warm, no-nonsense energy that immediately made me feel like I was staying with a particularly stylish Italian aunt.

The rooms are what you’d call “mansarda” style, which basically means they’re up in the converted attic space, but don’t let that fool you into thinking cramped or stuffy. The sloped ceilings and exposed beams create this incredibly cozy atmosphere, and the windows – oh man, the windows. You wake up to vineyards rolling out in every direction, with that soft morning light that makes everything look like a Renaissance painting. I mean, I’m not usually one for getting up early, but I found myself having coffee on the little terrace at dawn just to watch the mist lift off the vines. The furnishings strike that perfect balance between rustic and refined – think antique wooden furniture mixed with modern linens, and everything feels authentically Tuscan without being theme-park cheesy. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious (always a concern with these converted spaces), and the shower had proper water pressure, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always a given in historic Italian buildings.

What really sets this place apart, though, is the location and Isabella’s insider knowledge. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Greve’s main piazza, where the Saturday market happens – and Isabella will tell you exactly which stalls have the best pecorino and which ones to avoid. She also pointed me toward this little enoteca down a side street that I never would have found otherwise, where the owner let me taste wines from tiny producers you can’t find anywhere else. The parking situation is actually pretty straightforward (there’s a small lot behind the building), which is more than I can say for some places in the area. Evenings are blissfully quiet – you get vineyard sounds, not traffic – but you’re still close enough to walk to dinner without needing to drive those winding Chianti roads after wine tasting. If you’re planning to explore the region, this is honestly the perfect base. It feels like discovering a secret that other travelers haven’t quite caught onto yet, even though that rating suggests maybe they have.