Villa d'Arte Agriresort

AWEFUL. Just don't go. We cut our stay short and couldn't wait to leave. It's incredibly overpriced, the staff aren't accommodating, and the place looks nothing like the pictures. The tree house shown there is falling apart, and some parts are actually dangerous. You can hear every move people make throughout the building, and there's no heating. Dinner was the worst food I've ever had, at an extortionate price. Without a car, you're stranded up a huge hill in the middle of nowhere, and they'll charge 30 euros to take you up and another 30 to bring you down. The place is extremely creepy, like a horror movie. My advice is to avoid it.

We liked how secluded it was, about an hour from Florence, and the views were fabulous. The pool was enjoyable and the food was great. I'd rate the rooms a 3 because neither the AC nor the TV worked. The AC was switched on, but only did anything if you stood right beside it.

The linen and towels were a definite plus: good cotton, spotless white, and changed every other day. The pillows and mattress were good too. But this had nothing to do with an agriturismo. The villa may once have been grand, but now it feels shabby rather than chic. There are lots of awkward, steep stairs, creaky doors and floors, and old furniture that's seen better days. The bathroom was the most uncomfortable I've ever used, with a tiny shower squeezed over the sink and the bidet and toilet crammed into the same 2 sqm room. The TV had no signal for 5 days.

The grounds are lovely, with a small pool, and once you arrive it's wonderfully peaceful. The track in is rough, though, so you'll need a sturdy vehicle with good ground clearance. It's an 18th century villa with a lot of history, renovated inside but still showing its age. I was a bit startled when we first pulled up, but the place grew on us over a couple of days. We stayed in the haunted Fantasm LL room and didn't see a thing.