Montalcino, Siena, Italia
Castles and Villages – people 92
Description of the properties
Standing above the old Via Clodia, which connected southern Etruria to Rome, the Castle was built as a medieval fortress in the 11th century.The Watchtower remains intact from the 12th century, a reminder of the old rivalry between Siena and Florence. The rear part of the Castle is from the late medieval period. In the Renaissance, a period which gave the Main Loggia, the Castle was turned into a residential villa; “Velona” is represented in frescoed maps in the Vatican by the famous cosmographer, geographer and mathematician from Perugia Ignazio Danti. Darkness fell over the Castle for many centuries, until 1997, when it was resurrected from the ruins and turned into a luxury relais, thanks to restructuring work that retained the original structure of the residence. The company Podere Castello 1997 srl, which purchased the property in 2003, undertook renovation and extension works, supervised by Ing. Fabiani, the result being the modern-day Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery.
Rooms & Suites
Looking onto the unforgettable Val d’Orcia sunsets and the estate’s vineyards, the 46 bedrooms and suites of Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery, divided into two types, Castle and Sunset, are luxurious settings dedicated to wellness, nature, colours and the history of Tuscan tradition.
The Castle’s old cloister, now sheltered by a crystal dome, is the beating heart of the hotel.
Breakfast is served here in the morning, a rich buffet of sweet and savoury delicacies, all “homemade”.
Throughout the day guests may use the old-fashioned Lounge to eat quick snacks as well as delicious lunchtime dishes, from à la carte menu, or relax reading a book, sample the imaginative cocktails prepared by the barman and, after dinner, sip fine liqueurs beneath the stars.
Next to the cloister, in a rustic and comfortable setting, dominated by a great fireplace, is the BAR, endowed with a large panoramic terrace where, in the summer months, breakfast is also served in the shade of the gazebo.
Located in the new wing of the Castle, the elegant gourmet restaurant Settimo Senso can accommodate up to 120 diners. It has a west-pointing panoramic terrace offering a great view of the Val d’Orcia. At sunset the panorama is unique, a natural backdrop for romantic dinners and special events.The Chef proposes a sensory journey through dishes that are sophisticated but inspired by Tuscan culinary traditions, expertly and creatively re-interpreting the old flavours of this land.
Each dish is accompanied by fine wines, in particular the Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino produced by the Castle estate on its 5 hectares of vineyards, under its own name.
Situated in the swimming pool and wellness area, throughout the day guests can go to the Pool Bar for a break, with tasty light snacks and refreshing drinks on offer.
The spa water spring that gushes from Monte Amiata is the dominant natural element of Oli SPA, a structure covering 1,500 m2 and part of the Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery. The perfection of the travertine marble is the dominant element of the wellness area. The use of this prestigious material, a Tuscan tradition, is also a reference to the mineral contained in the spa waters, which spurt forth in the two outdoor swimming pools and in the two indoor pools with Jacuzzi, all boasting a fine view of the Val d’Orcia, a Unesco world heritage site. The five treatment cabins, two Turkish baths, sauna and ‘emotional showers’, just as all the treatments on offer, from body and face massages to scrubs and packs, are designed to offer sensory delights and total relaxation. Grapes and olive oil, local products, and other natural products, are used to give guests the body sensation of a perfect union between the territory, water and man.
Oli Spa offers couples the possibility of sharing in a private cabin a moment of relaxation and wellbeing, as well as the possibility of staying in one of the Hotel’s Spa Suites, where spa water is supplied directly to the tubs in the bedrooms, also fitted with private cabins for treatments enjoyed in the privacy of one’s own room.
A centuries-old residence, perched on a spur of rock dominating the river Orcia, in the heart of Tuscany. A panoramic terrace looking onto the silence of the valley and the Siena hills. The scents of the vineyards and the lights and shadows cast by the sun, from daybreak to sunset, on the splendid Tuscan countryside.
Velona Castle is the most romantic setting when two people come together to swear eternal love.
The vestiges of the past blend with the beauty and practicality of the spaces made available to the bride and groom, granted exclusively for events that can host up to 120 guests: the terrace of the Settimo Senso restaurant with a view of the sunset on the Val d’Orcia, the charming outdoor spaces and the Cloister, an open-air lounge area enclosed by a romantic glass dome. Each space will be prepared with the greatest care, in the belief that perfection is attained by taking care of the smallest of details. The luxurious Suites of the Castle and Oli SPA are also ideal for a romantic Honeymoon, anniversary, hen/bachelor party, in the intimacy of an age-old residence.
The Castle is an ideal venue for organising successful business events, for groups of between 20 and 120 people. With large outdoor spaces, an elegant SPA and modern meeting room for 70 persons (equipped with pull-down screen, sound system with microphones and radio microphone, video projector and WiFi connection), the Castle combines a comfortable atmosphere with exclusive services, against an unforgettable backdrop.
Experiential workshops, exclusive and confidential meetings, training courses, cookery classes, whodunnit dinners, company “talent” events. Castle Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery proposes top-quality congress services.
With the richness and majesty of the surrounding territory and nature, the Castle is the perfect location for outdoor activities: treasure hunts using vespas, horse-riding, tours of the Val d’Orcia in vintage cars, role-playing. But also journeys back in time, with falconry lessons or medieval re-creations, magically immersed in the atmospheres and centuries-old history of the Castle.