Tenuta di Seripa

The couple running Tenuta Seripa really do their best to make guests comfortable, and we had nothing but good things to say about the service. The pool is wonderful, the surroundings are beautiful, and the remote setting gave us the peace and quiet we wanted. The nearest restaurants are about a 15-minute drive away, which is manageable. We’d read worrying comments about the access road because our car sits fairly low, but they seemed overstated. You don’t need a 4x4, and there’s no need to worry about getting there. The rooms felt too outdated for the price, though. Compared with similar accommodation we paid for in Val d’Orcia, this was almost 30% more expensive. At a lower price we’d have been more satisfied.

Breakfast had so many tempting options, and we loved sitting on the terrace by the lemon trees, listening to the birds and looking across the hills. The pool was huge, spotless, and refreshingly cool. Anoura and Renuka, if I’ve got the spelling right, were such friendly, lovely hosts and looked after us so well. Each drive down the access road, emerging from the forest to the open vineyard views and the house below, lifted our spirits. The whole property is beautifully cared for and wonderfully relaxing.

We ended up extending our stay by two nights because Anura and Ana were so thoughtful and welcoming, and the service throughout was lovely. They made even extra requests possible with a smile, and we felt special. Jen’s dinner was a highlight, with a wide choice of Tuscan food and natural flavors from the garden. The tiramisu deserves five stars, and thanks for the brownies too. We were there with our dog Paul, who was very welcome, and we loved relaxing by the pool and in the garden. It’s a wonderfully calm place, surrounded by nature and about 40 minutes from the beach and Bolgheri. We’ll definitely come back!

There’s a lot of potential here, but the management lets it down. The access road is difficult for 1.9 km, and a 4x4 is recommended. There was quite a bit of noise between rooms and from the kitchen. In Tuscany, I expected more local products instead of supermarket white-label items. The photos of shared spaces, including the living room, don’t match what’s actually there.