Poggio d'Oro

We stayed in apartment Duchessina 2, a cozy, fully equipped apartment, and had an amazing holiday last summer. The balcony in our apartment in San Donato in Poggio gave us one of the most beautiful views in Tuscany. It’s a fantastic spot in the heart of Chianti. Marco was very friendly and helpful, always available for questions and full of useful, fun tips for exploring the area. Thanks to his suggestions, we got the most out of our holiday.

The pool is fantastic, and the apartments look beautiful against those Tuscan hill views. We found the spot ideal for seeing Florence and Siena, both about a 15-minute drive away, as well as places like San Gimignano. Marco, the owner and manager, was so helpful, spoke several languages, and kindly answered all our questions. I especially loved San Donato, just 500 meters away. I had the best pizza of my life there. Such a wonderful place, highly recommended!

The stay itself had some real problems. In late September the place was cold and so humid that our clothes and bedding felt damp. Maco said the heater could only run for a few hours in the morning and evening, which wasn't enough. The hot water breaker also kept tripping, though after we messaged Marco on WhatsApp, he fixed that promptly. At first, Marco seemed nice and we felt welcome. Despite the issues, we left him a good Airbnb review because we thought we might return in better weather. Three weeks later, Marco posted a public review accusing us of leaving without saying goodbye, checking out late, and not paying the tourist tax. We left 10 minutes before checkout, and saying goodbye is optional when you're rushing to another reservation. As for the tax, the other five places we stayed in Italy collected it before or when we arrived. Hosts are responsible for collecting their taxes and fees, and Marco made no effort to collect it. He had my phone number, WhatsApp, and Airbnb contact details, but never reached out to remind us about the EUR15 tax. Instead, he waited three weeks and left us a negative review.

San Donato, the nearby hilltop village, still feels undiscovered by tourists. There are no souvenir shops, and English isn't always spoken, but several bars and restaurants make for good evenings. The Macine 2 unit was huge, nicely presented, and had amazing views across Chianti toward Panzano. We especially enjoyed the covered terrace, with its dining table and chairs plus recliners for sunbathing. Inside, the kitchen was great and the bathroom had a good-sized large shower. The location works well for Chianti, halfway between Florence and Siena, with both less than half an hour away via the nearby motorway. Marco was an excellent host, shared great local tips, and left us a folder packed with area information. A relaxing, memorable holiday, and one we'd happily recommend.