Borgo il Castagno

I photographed an Indian wedding at Borgo Il Castagno and loved how its rustic character fits with the natural surroundings. The light stayed perfect all day, and the venue worked really well for a celebration spread over several days. It’s a peaceful, beautiful spot in the heart of Tuscany, great for couples and a dream for photographers.

It's very quiet and remote, with lovely Tuscan architecture and scenery. There are deer, a lake and a cafe nearby, and the site has several large, converted buildings with loads of space and atmosphere for guests. The wedding was well staffed, and the people there were friendly and helpful. If you're arriving late, bring a few basic supplies, since the supposedly local supermarkets will be closed.

We enjoyed our couple of days here, but left feeling the place could have been so much better. The views were amazing, and the location was handy for visiting nearby cities. Our apartment was spacious, with a well-equipped kitchen, and the pool was calm, with enough loungers. Check-in was friendly and welcoming, with no wait and refreshing drinks. There were a lot of things that needed attention. The beds were the worst we’d slept on in a long time. Some windows had mosquito screens while others in the same room didn’t, one door wouldn’t close, there were dirty dishes left by previous guests, the toilet sometimes kept running, the couches were worn, and a socket was loose. The road on the grounds had lots of ruts and holes, and the concrete tiles in the pool “slide” seemed unsafe for children. The apartments and grounds could use more care. It was very hot outside and even hotter indoors. Fans helped a little, but next time I visit in summer, I’d book an apartment with air conditioning. Some private outdoor areas had lovely views and lots of space, while others were small, enclosed and viewless. The WiFi was unreliable and mostly didn’t work, and there was no mobile network, which made it harder to plan day trips and navigate. Reception hours changed during the week, and we almost never saw anyone from the organization. There was no entertainment for children, though many were staying there, or adults, such as a dinner with other guests or wine tasting. The welcome pack mostly laid out rules and fines, including a €250 penalty for anyone caught not sorting their waste. And checkout at 9am is too early.

We stayed at Il Forno, a spacious, well-equipped apartment with a private terrace and a beautiful view. Olive oil and a bottle of wine were included as a welcome. The pool was big and pleasant, and it never felt overcrowded, even in high season. The property sits on a large plot, with a great barbecue spot beside a small lake among the trees. We also enjoyed the wine tasting organized on site with local winemaker Corbucci. There’s a great restaurant right by the entrance, plus several excellent places to eat within 2 km. The location is handy for visiting interesting towns and villages around the region. I can’t think of anything negative to say. If Google let me, I’d give it six stars out of five.