Bramasole

La Palaia is a charming old hamlet, restored and furnished with real taste. The four of us had a wonderfully restful stay in August 2021, and that incredible view is what we'll miss most. The lavender and rosemary are everywhere, along with their heady scent. There are lovely places to stay farther out, but we really liked being so close to Anghiari, with its beautiful old center and storybook lanes. The hamlet has about seven apartments. Ours was very well equipped: dishwasher, washing machine, Nespresso machine, plenty of utensils, dishes for four, good wine glasses, and even a decanter. There was lots of storage, plus a hairdryer, adapters, and nightlights. Fruit and prosecco were waiting in the big fridge. Daniele, who handles the keys, was easy to reach, friendly, and helpful. Check-in and check-out were simple, and we could spontaneously add two nights. The pool is large and fantastic, with a sweeping view and lots of loungers and seats. One downside was having no terrace directly attached to our apartment. The balcony was tiny and barely usable for two, though nice to look at. We ate at the poolside tables instead, which were available when we needed them, but they weren't lit in the evenings. There was no air conditioning, though both sleeping areas had decent fans. The upstairs sleeping space is more like a studio, with no door between it and the living room below. Our children slept soundly, so it wasn't an issue for us. A second bed only just fit upstairs, which is really set up for one, and a portable stair gate might be wise for very young children because the stairs are quite dangerous. Tall people also have to duck entering the master bedroom, and stoop at the very low stove, but that's part of the place's charm. There's not much shade at the pool. No parasols, just grapevine covered pergolas giving a few spots of partial shade. With the heat, it was a challenge, and the dry lawns around the pool could be improved. The irrigation only waters small parts of the hamlet. Bramasole is still easy to recommend. If we came back, though, we'd try for an apartment with a terrace.