Riva Toscana Golf Resort & SPA

You know what caught me off guard about Riva Toscana? I was expecting another cookie-cutter resort, but this place actually has some character to it. It’s tucked away on the old Aurelia road between Follonica and Castiglione della Pescaia – honestly, you might drive past it if you’re not paying attention, but that’s kind of the point. The setting feels deliberately removed from the coastal chaos without being inconveniently far from anything.

The golf course is what draws most people initially, and it’s genuinely well-maintained (I mean, it better be at these prices), but what surprised me was how the spa became my actual favorite part. They’ve got this indoor pool area that connects to the outdoor one, and on those cooler Tuscan evenings, you can float between the two – it’s surprisingly magical. The treatment rooms are in what feels like converted stone buildings, which sounds gimmicky but actually works. I did notice the spa gets pretty crowded around 4-5 PM when the golf crowd finishes up, so morning appointments are your friend.

The rooms are solid four-star territory – nothing that’ll blow your mind, but they’re spacious and the beds are actually comfortable (you’d be amazed how many Italian hotels miss this basic requirement). Most have decent balconies, though the ones facing the golf course are obviously preferable to the parking lot views. Fair warning about the air conditioning: it’s one of those European systems that takes forever to cool down a room, so crank it when you arrive. The restaurant is… well, it’s resort food, but they do a decent job with local ingredients. The breakfast spread is extensive, though it gets absolutely slammed between 8:30-9:30 AM when all the golfers fuel up.

What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays at night – the Aurelia Vecchia doesn’t get the truck traffic that the main coastal road does, so you can actually sleep with the windows open. The staff genuinely seems to know the area well; they steered me toward some great little restaurants in Follonica that I never would have found otherwise. Parking is plentiful and free, which feels like a small miracle anywhere near the Tuscan coast these days. It’s about a 10-minute drive to Follonica’s beaches, which are less crowded than the Castiglione ones but just as nice – honestly, maybe better if you’re not into the whole scene.

Look, this isn’t going to be the most Instagram-worthy place you’ll ever stay, but it delivers on what it promises. The 8.6 rating feels about right – it’s well-run, comfortable, and positioned perfectly if you want to explore this stretch of coast without dealing with resort town madness. Just book the spa treatments when you check in, because they fill up fast, especially during summer weekends.