Villa Morelli - Dimora Storica

Come stay in the castle and get some proper rest 😉

Honestly, you can find much better for that price. I paid 70-80 euros for a single room without food, and the room was a horrible surprise. No air conditioning or TV, and the wooden ceiling had soaked up the scorching sun, making it feel like a sauna. There were bad smells inside too. Sometimes a park seems more comfortable for sleeping. The man kept saying he was a Michelin-starred chef, but when we asked him for food, he sent us somewhere else. No offense, but how can a room still have neither air conditioning nor a TV in 2022?

We found this place during an unplanned trip to Tuscany after realizing we had nowhere to stay. We called Villa Morelli and were told to arrive before 11:00 PM, since the gates are locked at night for security. The building is a former Franciscan monastery with a parish, and you sleep in the monks’ cells. There are also separate buildings and apartments. The drive in is easy, on smooth asphalt beside the river, passing several villages on the way from Florence. The setting is all Tuscan hills, forest, greenery, and the pleasant sound of a river. It wasn’t hot, just comfortable. Expecting air conditioning and modern renovations in a UNESCO World Heritage site would be strange. If you want somewhere with a special atmosphere, this is the place. Breakfast is decent and homemade. Some one-star reviewers must have arrived after 11:00 PM, but this is a homely boutique hotel in a former monastery, and the owners go to bed too. Our find made the trip so much more fun. It’s hard not to fall in love with the place and give it a like. Informal and full of character.

The owner was incredibly helpful, and the hilltop setting has a beautiful view. It’s surrounded by a lovely park, and the station is easy to reach on foot. We spent three fabulous days in a clean, comfortable place that was mostly quiet and peaceful. A truly wonderful stay. Thank you, Mr. Silvio.