Best Montalcino Hotels for Every Traveler
There are a couple of famous towns in Tuscany, but Montalcino is one of the most famous. And, if you’re into wine, you are probably going to want to stay in Montalcino. Deciding where to stay in Montalcino is going to depend on your budget and the type of experience you want to have. We have spent a lot of time researching Montalcino hotels, not just because we love the Brunello but also because there are so many different types of experiences you can have. And those experiences definitely impact the type of Tuscany trip you are going to have. The great thing is that there really is somewhere for everyone, but it does take time to find the diamonds in the rough. I’m happy to share those with you and hopefully save you a bit of time, too.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for tours and products I love at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Why Visit Montalcino?
Prior to 2020, we really loved staying in Montepulciano when we visited Tuscany. It felt like a classic Italian hill town. There is a beautiful main square. It felt local, lived in, and authentic. While we would see tourists, it was never really en masse (though we do travel in slower seasons). When we were in Tuscany for our anniversary last September, however, we realized Montepulciano had changed a lot. In many ways, it lacked the authenticity that we fell in love with on that first trip. It made us really sad.
Montalcino still has some of that Italian authenticity, even though you don’t find those big squares and beautiful views quite as easily. (Montalcino reveals itself slowly.) Are there tourists? Absolutely. However, in the slower seasons, we still find that warm Tuscan hospitality that we love. You won’t find that on a day trip when you’re trying to visit 3 cities in 3 hours before heading back to Florence or Rome. Choosing to stay at one of the nearby wine resorts or hotels in Montalcino will allow you to slow down and truly appreciate the beauty of this area.
Wine Tourism in Montalcino
I never thought I’d be a wine person, and I definitely never thought I’d be the type of person who traveled for wine. However, Tom and I have spent almost 10 years exploring Europe and learning more about the wine and food culture here. We’ve stayed at wine resorts, explored cities famous for wine, and learned to navigate wine lists with remarkable ease.
Learning how food and wine pair has added to our travel experiences in a significant way. It’s also opened us up to the art and science of winemaking. The wines made in Montalcino, both the Rosso di Montalcino, the Brunello di Montalcino, are some of the most well-known throughout the world.
Finding the best versions of Montalcino wines for us has been enjoyable. We’ve purchased some of the more famous large producers in the US (Castello Banfi and Renieri), but Brunello di Montalcino in situ can taste like a completely different product, especially as you get off the beaten path.
If you choose one of the Montalcino hotels in the city center, you can take advantage of the town’s many wine bars and walk home. You also can visit small producers, see the differences in the way the sun hits the vineyards, and taste the difference that soil makes in a final product. You can enjoy the wine with food that its meant to be paired with. And, many times, you can do this as much different price point than you could at the US. (I will never get over the import cost differential.) In short, a trip to Montalcino can open up food and wine in a completely new and delicious way.
A Few Things to Know about Hotels in Montalcino
Expect to do a lot of research. I learned this when I was researching Montepulciano hotels in 2018, and it took me months to find the right place to stay. I’ve been researching Montalcino hotels since then, and I have a working short list outside of the places we’ve stayed thus far. Our choices have almost always come down to who is open while we are there and who has a room. We build our trip around which hotel in Montalcino is available, not around what we want to do.
Location in Montalcino Matters
You always want to check where things are on the map. Because a commune can extend beyond the traditional old city center, the location can be very important. Montalcino is a hill town, so you may find yourself going up and down a lot, depending on your location. Similarly, if you stay outside of the city, you may spend a lot of time looking for parking to get into the city center. This can be impossible during high season, so I always suggest staying where you want to be.
Be Aware of ZTL Zones and Register Accordingly
If you are booking a hotel in the old city, always make sure to ask about parking. Many towns in Italy have a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) that is generally only open to locals. Most hotels will register your car during your visit so you don’t get ticketed. If not, you’ll need to find the metered parking lots and pay for parking in those areas.
Oh, and a bit of advice for driving in Italy, always rent the smaller car! I promise they aren’t as small as they appear, but you’ll thank me when you are driving up the small streets in Montalcino and Cortona!
Know What to Expect from your Montalcino Hotel
Most hotels in Montalcino are small. They aren’t the big box hotels that you will find outside some of the larger cities in Italy, like Bologna or even Siena. They are rustic, inviting, and comfortable. If you are someone who likes a choice of rooms or pillows, you’ll need to pay for that luxury and it will likely be very expensive, comparatively. Be honest with yourself when booking your accommodation. The best hotels in Montalcino aren’t going to look like your comfortable hotels at home.
If this is your first time getting out of your hotel comfort zone, I have a bit of advice! One of the compromises that I’ve learned to make with my husband is to book a couple of nights at a hotel he’s really excited about and a couple of nights at a hotel I like. Not only is this sometimes a bit more budget friendly, but it also reminds me that even if I don’t like it that much, it won’t be for the entire trip.
The Corner Nest in Montalcino Vacation Rental
If your goal is to stay in Montalcino, I’ve found the best option for you. The Corner Nest is a full apartment within the city walls of Montalcino. Literally, it looks over one of the old city doors. While the jury is still out on how I feel about vacation rentals, after looking at all the Montalcino hotels, I felt like this was the best option for us. (As an added bonus, it made my husband VERY happy and we love that.
Antonio met us at The Corner Nest and immediately helped us settle in for a few days. Seriously. He was so kind. It reminded of Theirry at our rental in Mont St Michel last summer. I didn’t speak enough Italian, and he spoke a little English, but we got through it together. He showed us how everything worked and wanted to ensure we were comfortable.
The corner nest is a three-story apartment overlooking Montalcino. The kitchen a bathroom is on the ground floor. There is a living room on the second floor. It includes a couch and a desk that worked great for zoom calls. (The internet is REALLY good at the Corner Nest – probably the fastest we’ve had at a vacation rental and in the countryside.) And, the third floor offers a bedroom with a larger bathroom. The bed was comfortable with plenty of pillows of varying firmness. And, the bedroom had the most unbelievable view of the Tuscan sunrise. I refused to close the shutters at night because I didn’t want to miss the sunrise. (And, you really didn’t need to – there isn’t a lot of ambient light in Montalcino!)
You literally have everything you need for a very comfortable stay in Montalcino, including a dishwasher and a washer/dryer combination. I have to admit, I was happy to wash my underwear, socks and nap dress. Laundry is an underrated luxury that I take for granted at home! (I always travel with a Hill House Ellie nap dress. It’s perfect for wearing down to the pool or spa at fancy hotels like the Park Hyatt Milan, easy to throw on around the vacation rental, and functions as a night gown, too!) We had a small sitting area in the back of the apartment where you could sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and look at the view. This is probably the quietest area in Montalcino with the best views, so it’s very relaxing.
Who Should Stay In Montalcino at The Corner Nest?
The Corner Nest includes a parking pass, and it’s about a 5 minute drive from the apartment. Staying within the city of Montalcino made it easy for us to enjoy the city’s many wine bars. We tried new wines, old vintages, and went on a scavenger hunt to fill in our collection. There is a grocery store within the old city, so you don’t necessarily have to leave. In the evenings, I made dinner at home, which is definitely one of Tom’s favorite things. (I’m literally heating up pasta and tossing it in sauce – it’s not that complicated. The best was the tortellini with ragu di Chianina.)
Similar boutique hotels in Tuscany: Palazzo Carletti on Montepulciano and La Terrazza sul Campo Suites in Siena
Book The Corner Nest in Montalcino
Altesino Suites near Montalcino
Located approximately 15 minutes from the town of Montalcino, Altesino Suites offers a few full apartments at a working winery. Tom was very excited to try the wines from Altesino, and he was even more excited when he found out they offered on-site apartment rentals. We booked the yellow suite, and it was, indeed, a yellow suite!
These apartment-style suites are fully equipped with a kitchen, a small living area, and a separate bedroom. The decor is best described as rustic. It reminded me of staying at my grandmother’s house, and I derived a bit of comfort from that memory. And, like her house, everything felt so much better when I opened the windows and let the sunlight in. There was plenty of storage space. The bathroom offered a large walk-in shower with good water pressure and plenty of hot water. While the bed was not super comfortable, I was able to make it work for a few days. Our bedroom had a ceiling fan, which is the first I’ve ever seen in Italy, and it was much appreciated on the warmer days.
Things to Do at Altesino Suites
We weren’t able to take advantage of the small private pool when we were traveling, but that is a really nice amenity if you are traveling during the summer. The internet was pretty good, though it could be challenging if you are traveling with someone and you both need to be on zoom.
The staff at Altesino could not have been more kind. We were offered a wine tasting of 3 of the Altesino wines on a Sunday afternoon, and we really enjoyed our conversation with the staff. I was really impressed with the Rosso di Montalcino, and Tom loved the Palazzo Altesi, which is a super Tuscan. Altesino Suites is adjacent to Carparzo, so you could probably schedule a wine tasting at Carparzo through the staff. (They have the same owner.)
Who Will Love Staying at Altesino Suites?
If you are planning on hiking or biking Via Francigena, this is along that route. We saw a lot of folks following that along the resort. If you are looking for a Montalcino wine resort that is centrally located and easy to use as a base for exploring other wineries, this is perfect. It’s not too far off the main roads that run through the Montalcino area, and it’s not too hard to get off the hill. It offers beautiful view of the countryside. And, if you’re on a budget, it’s 10 minutes from a grocery store, has a great fridge, as well as a stove and an oven for making your own food. As an added bonus, there’s a dishwasher, too!)
If this is your first adventure in tasting Brunello di Montalcino wines, the prices at Altesino are very good and the quality is very high. (Altesino wines are much more expensive in the US, so it’s good buy them at the winery!)
Most similar Italian wine resort experiences: Roccafiore wine resort in Umbria
Book The Altesino Suites in Montalcino
Tenuta CastelGiocondo Wine Resort
If you are want to get away from it all and spend a few days in a vineyard, CastelGiocondo is an incredible option with beautiful suites and luxury finishes. We stayed at CastelGiocondo in the off season on a trip to Montalcino with my mom, and it was really beautiful. It is the perfect place to recharge and enjoy the stillness.
It’s about 15 minutes from Castiglion del Bosco and 25 minutes from Montalcino. It is not somewhere I would go to day trip from. This is somewhere I would go to be where your feet are, for the most part. The challenge, however, is that there is not a restaurant on site, so you’ll either need to take your own food or plan to leave the resort. (We opted for both, but I wish we had more time to enjoy the vineyard views.) Breakfast is included with your room though!
This small wine resort is housed across several stone buildings, which reminded me of the Meneghetti wine resort in Croatia. The stone buildings are beautiful and the rooms are large, beautiful suites. Both of the rooms we booked had a sitting area (including a table), a large (and very comfortable) bed, and huge walk-in showers. Our room had nice bath tub, as well as a separate bathroom with dual sinks. The windows opened and provided a lovely view of the sunsets and the countryside. We had no issues with hot water or water pressure. It was REALLY nice and very comfortable, especially for the price point. This is a great mid-range luxury hotel near Montalcino that is perfect for honeymoon or anniversary trip. It is a lovely place to recharge and enjoy the quiet.
Things to Do at Tenuta Castelgiocondo
One of the benefits of the Castelgiocondo wine resort is that it offers a spa with a jacuzzi and sauna. Both overlook the vineyard and there are lounge chairs with a view of the vineyards. It’s really nice too because it opens early and stays open late and is included in your room rate. You do have to reserve it, but you can do so online for one-hour increments. It was very comfortable, and we would have liked to spend more time taking it easy in the spa.
We did not do a wine tasting at Tenuta Castelgiocondo, mostly because Tom already knows its one of his favorite Brunello di Montalcino wines. Castelgiocondo shares an estate with Tenuta Luce, so you could easily book those two wine tastings while staying at this lovely hotel and enjoying the spa.
Who Will Love Staying at Tenuta Castelgiocondo?
This is the resort in Montalcino for the person looking to unplug. Literally – cell service is difficult and the internet is not the best. It’s fine in certain common areas, but we struggled with it in our room. This is the place to enjoy the Tuscan countryside and especially the sunsets. The late fall sunsets were just beautiful. It is truly a place to enjoy the outdoors, focus on wellness in the spa, and take it easy.
Most similar Italian wine resort experiences: Borgo dei Conti resort in Umbria, Palas Cerequio resort in Piedmont
Book Tenuta Castelgiocondo In Montalcino
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
If you are looking for the ultimate luxury experience, look no further than Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany. We’ve stayed at Castiglion del Bosco three times, and I’ve already booked our fourth trip. It’s expensive, but there are times when you can get a better rate on it. This resort is one of my favorite hotels in the world because of its beauty, the attention to detail, and the delicious experiences that await. It’s a splurge for anyone, but if you are looking for a truly special experience, this is where I would go. It is not where I would stay in Montalcino if you are planning to visit a lot of wineries or make day trips in Tuscany. We like to check into the Rosewood and be there for the duration of our stay.
Everything about Castiglion del Bosco is luxury. The base room is just as comfortable as their upgraded suites. I love the design so much that I sent it to one of my friends who immediately texted me to have a designer recreate the vibe in our home. They’ve thought of everything. In the winter, they have weighted blankets. They light candles for turndown service. There are dimmer switches on all the lights, which provide additional ambiance for leisurely bubble baths. I’m obsessed with the bath salts. (I brought them home.) They provide amenities from the famous Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence, and I’m obsessed.
Things to Do at Castiglion del Bosco
You can do as much as you want – or as little as you like. We’ve been known to spend leisurely afternoons on our private terrace and walk the grounds in the evenings after a delicious meal on property. However, we’ve also toured the vineyards, taken cooking classes, joined their wine club and enjoyed plenty of different wine tastings, and had long, leisurely dinners with too much wine. (There’s also golf, tennis, and a pool (heated and enclosed in winter!) if that’s your kind of wellness.)
There is a lovely spa on-site with treatments specific to the region. I booked one of the lost remedies massages, the Tuscan Herbal Ritual, and it was incredibly relaxing. (It was when the FAFSA first started failing after release, so my body needed all the help it could get.) So relaxing and well done. You can also book the sauna for private use, which we regularly do. It’s the perfect way to start and finish the day, especially in the winter.
Who Will Love Staying at Castiglion del Bosco?
Everyone. What’s not to love? And, if you don’t love it, I don’t think I can help you. Everything about this property is thoughtful. All the details are incredible. The staff is so kind. It is truly an outstanding property in every way. But, it does come at a price, and I think you have to know that going in. It’s not all-inclusive, though there are many activities and amenities that are included. Everything is of the highest quality, from the ingredients in the restaurants to the amenities in the room. It’s hard to want to stay anywhere else, but I feel like the other stays make me appreciate our time at CdB so much more!
Castiglion del Bosco is best booked with a luxury travel agent, like me! Booking through a travel agent can get you free breakfast, a hotel credit, room upgrades, and more.
Most similar luxury resort experiences in Italy: Borgo Pignano in Tuscany, Villa Cordevigo in the Veneto, and Il Borro in Tuscany (though the Rosewood Tuscany is truly in a league of its own). The service experience is most similar to commitment at the St. Regis in Florence.
Contact me for help booking Castiglion del Bosco with additional benefits!
