Villa Mangiacane

The main villa is full of history and art, and from it the hills roll away for miles. Even the hall, with old photos of past guests and weddings, feels like a little window into the memories held here. Everything, from the architecture to the warm welcome, felt special. At sunset the vineyards glowed, the air carried the scent of cypress and wine, and the staff greeted us like old friends. We stayed in a huge main suite with high ceilings, a wonderful bed, and a marble bathroom. Whatever the hour, someone was there with a smile, a glass of wine, or something delicious. Over our three nights for a wedding, we had a welcome dinner on the terrace with wood-fired pizza and laughter, a candlelit rehearsal dinner among the olive trees, and a wedding that felt like a movie. The food was incredible, the estate's own wine was perfect, and the atmosphere was unlike anywhere else. It was perhaps the most beautiful wedding I've attended, and the whole visit felt like stepping into a Tuscan dream. I don't know why anyone calls this a three-star hotel, unless they're trying to keep it secret. If a hotel could have more than five stars, this would be an eight. Romantic, timeless, and full of soul. If you're in Tuscany, 20 minutes south of Florence, go stay at Villa Mangiacane and see what magic feels like.

Our wedding there was perfect, and the place is beautiful with great ground staff. My issue is the manager Matteo, whom I found very sketchy and hard to trust. It's a nice venue, but there are plenty of other good venues in the region, so I'd suggest staying away. In our experience, they went out of their way to lie and take our money. If you've already booked, watch out for these things: 1. Avoid ordering room service, champagne, or any food or drink for your room. They charged a “service fee” of €20 per person. We ordered one bottle of champagne for six people. Along with the €200 bottle cost, they added a €120 fee. You can order at the restaurant and carry it to your room yourself, or eat and drink there. 2. They charged us an extra €600 to hire chairs for the wedding ceremony, even though they reused the dinner chairs. Make sure you check charges and don't pay more than you should. They said they'd refund us, then ignored our calls and emails instead of paying. 3. Their rules are rigid, and they don't allow outside caterers. You have to use their in-house catering, leaving them with a monopoly on pricing. It was much more expensive, with a very limited menu. Update, February 2025: I was told Matteo had been fired from Villa Mangiacane. I think that was a very good decision by the owner and management. Hopefully the new manager will do right by such a beautiful, magical venue.

We were locked out of the villa on our first night, with nobody available to help us get in. We had to climb over the fence and break in. There were other problems too, including a dirty room. They told us in person and in writing that we could leave a day early and get a refund for the final night, but now they refuse to refund us or answer our requests. They lied to our faces, and it felt like a scam. This place seems to make money from wedding-worthy Instagram views while putting many guests in dirty rooms with no or bad air conditioning and treating them poorly. I've seen Tripadvisor reviews from people describing the same experience. Truly miserable.

The room was spacious and private, with a comfortable bed, and it was clean, which matters most to me. My Deluxe Villa Room was beautiful, and I loved Villa Mangiacane. The villa is lovely and well located in the center of Tuscany. People were kind and helpful, and the service was very good. Breakfast was delicious every day, with fresh fruit, healthy options, pastries, and tasty egg dishes. Samantha, the Villa Manager, was attentive and eager to help with anything we needed. I'd suggest adding more meal choices at the Villa. They can cater meals if you want, but the price per person is high. There's a delicious restaurant within walking distance if you get hungry and don't want to go far. My family and I had a beautiful experience and would definitely come back. What a villa in Tuscany! Grazie Mille 🌸♥️