A 12th-century Tuscan castle is reborn as a fresco-filled hotel, Como Castello del Nero

Set in 400 hectares in the Florentine hills, Como Castello del Nero invites guests into a world of vaulted ceilings and old stone fireplaces – fresh from a major renovation led by Italian architect Paola Navone.

The boutique hotel emerged from restoration work at the end of 2022, which saw Navone overhaul the interiors and install a state-of-the-art spa and wellness space. Rooms are dressed in classic Tuscan style, with original terracotta flooring, exposed wooden beams and whitewashed walls lending them a rustic feel.

Guests can book themselves into a loft suite and sleep beneath the castle eaves or choose a heritage suite where they can enjoy 200-year-old frescoes, whose restoration was overseen by the Italian Fine Art Commission. All rooms – which start around £800 per night – overlook the woods and lawns that surround the hotel.

As well as its 50 rooms and suites, Castello del Nero houses Michelin-starred La Torre in its former stables. Sporting amenities include two tennis courts, a pilates studio and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

Guests can explore the Tuscan countryside on foot via the many nearby hiking trails or choose from the hotel’s fleet of Vespas and Fiat 500s. Florence airport is a 30-minute drive away, while the Chianti region’s award-winning vineyards are on the doorstep.

Str. Spicciano, 7, 50028 Barberino Tavarnelle FI, Italy