Escape to Tuscany: Luxe Farmhouse with Pool near Loro Ciuffenna!
Escape to Tuscany: Luxe Farmhouse & Pool - Honestly, It Was a Ride (Near Loro Ciuffenna!)
Okay, so, Tuscany. Just the word conjures up images of rolling hills, cypress trees, and… well, perfection, right? I’d seen the travel brochures. I’d dreamed of this. And then, I booked a stay at this “Luxe Farmhouse with Pool near Loro Ciuffenna.” Let me tell you, the reality… was a lot more interesting than the brochures let on.
(Metadata - Because, SEO, right?):
- Title: Escape to Tuscany Review: Luxe Farmhouse (Loro Ciuffenna) - Honest & Chaotic!
- Keywords: Tuscany, Loro Ciuffenna, Farmhouse, Pool, Review, Spa, Accessibility, Family-friendly, Food, Italian Vacation, Hotels, Italy, Travel, Relaxation, Honest Review
- Meta Description: My (hilarious, somewhat messy) review of the Luxe Farmhouse near Loro Ciuffenna! Dive into my experiences: the good, the bad, and the truly Tuscan-specific. (Spoiler: lots of wine.)
First Impressions (and the Search for the Laundry Room):
The farmhouse itself? Absolutely stunning. Rustic charm oozing from every exposed beam. The air, even at the hottest part of the day, carried that intoxicating scent of pine and… something else. Something I later realized was seriously good olive oil. Turns out, they use it in EVERYTHING. And I mean EVERYTHING.
Accessibility:
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. I'm not in a wheelchair currently, but I definitely noticed some serious thought went into this. They do have facilities for disabled guests, which is awesome. The layout was pretty spread out, and while there was a lift (elevator), I didn't personally scrutinize everything with a wheelchair in mind. But from what I saw, it was better than a lot of places. They could definitely improve by adding detailed information in the site.
Getting Around (And Losing My Way… Several Times):
Airport transfer? Yes, they had it. Thank heavens, because navigating Italian roads after a red-eye flight is a recipe for disaster. Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]? You got it. But the sheer size of the place meant I got lost constantly… Which led to some funny encounters. Like the time I stumbled upon a very intense yoga session (clearly, I wasn't meant to be there). And the time I spent a good half hour searching for the laundry service. (Turns out it wasn’t in the building I thought it was at all and I was just wandering through the completely wrong olive grove!.)
Check-in/out [Contactless]:
Yes. And check-in/out [express]. Fast and easy. I'm all for that. The front desk [24-hour] was, thankfully, generally present, which was handy for when I needed to ask where the laundry was.
Rooms - My Sanctuary… Eventually.
The room? Oh boy. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Wow. The detail is in the service, honestly. My room had everything. Everything. After a week of traveling, I felt like I could actually breathe in this space. The Wi-Fi [free] was a lifesaver, and I could get some work done. The mini-bar? Well, let's just say I had a very close relationship with the local wine.
Safety and Security - Peace of Mind (Mostly):
They’ve got all the usual things like CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. I didn't feel unsafe at any point. There’s a security [24-hour] presence. The smoke alarms, fire extinguisher, etc., were all present. I always appreciate that.
The Pool – Heaven… With a View (and a Few Minor Quirks):
Oh, the pool. The Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Pool with a view. The reason I booked this place. And it was glorious. Absolutely breathtaking. The water was crystal clear, the surrounding landscape… chefs kiss. The only slight downside was that I swear some of the sun loungers were specifically designed for people with legs approximately four feet long. I'm not tall, but I felt like I was lounging on a tiny, wooden surfboard. But, hey, complaining about the pool view is just wrong.
Ways to Relax (And Exhaust Oneself Trying):
Okay, the Spa was… a thing. They had: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool. Basically, everything you could possibly need to become the most relaxed version of yourself… or to run yourself ragged trying to experience everything. I tried it all. The massage was divine (ask for Elena, she's magic). The sauna was hot, the steamroom… steamy. The gym was well equipped, though I must admit I only visited it once, after I'd eaten approximately three courses of pasta for lunch. Let’s just say the treadmill saw minimal action.
Dining: The Food… The Wine… The Experience.
My absolute favourite part, the food! Honestly, the food was outstanding. You could choose from A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western breakfast. Okay, I didn’t try everything, but I came close!
The breakfast [buffet] was fantastic. The coffee was strong, the pastries were fresh, and the staff (more on them later!) were always happy to refill your plate with more deliciousness (and point you in the right direction if you needed to find the laundry). Lunch and dinner were equally impressive with both Western and Asian cuisine in restaurant. I swear, I could taste the sunshine in the tomatoes. My favorite meal there was the pasta. The restaurant service was phenomenal, they were even happy to have a vegetarian restaurant.
The Poolside bar was a great spot for a late-afternoon Aperol Spritz (or, you know, a whole bottle of wine).
The Staff – The Real Heroes (and Laundry Locators):
The staff… bless their hearts. They were amazing. Seriously. They were friendly, helpful, and seemed genuinely happy to be there. I think I was more of a mess than the hotel at times. They were always smiling, and that really made the experience. They all were trained in safety protocol. They used anti-viral cleaning products. They even offered room sanitization opt-out available. They were professionals. From finding the missing laundry to offering local recommendations, they were an absolute delight.
Cleanliness and Safety – Comfort in a Post-Apocalyptic… Well, Not Really, But You Get It:
They went above and beyond here. The rooms sanitized between stays. They had professional-grade sanitizing services. I felt safe and secure. They used Hand sanitizer and they offered Individually-wrapped food options and Safe dining setup. It's like they read my mind on what I'd want (safety-wise). They had Daily disinfection in common areas.
Things to Do (Besides Eat… A Lot):
Beyond the spa, there were all sorts of things to explore. (Provided you could find them, of course.) The area around Loro Ciuffenna is beautiful. They had Audio-visual equipment for special events, suitable for Seminars, and Meetings. I didn't see any of that, but apparently they can host them. So neat.
For the Kids (Family-Friendly Fun):
They claim to be Family/child friendly. They had Kids facilities like Babysitting service and a Kids meal offered. I didn't bring any rugrats, but I saw a bunch of happy kids
Ski-In/Ski-Out Luxury: Your Dream Apartment Awaits in Uderns, Austria!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-manicured itinerary. This is the Belvilla by OYO Majestic Farmhouse with Pool in Loro Ciuffenna, Italy, through the glorious lens of a chronically over-excited (and sometimes slightly stressed) travel blogger. Let's do this…
THE (UNOFFICIAL, DEFINITELY-NOT-PERFECT) ITINERARY:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL! (Or, "Will the Flight Ever End?")
- Morning (like, early morning): Ugh. The airport. The dreaded airport. Woke up at 3 AM, convinced I’d missed my flight. I didn't. Hurray. Currently fueled by lukewarm airport coffee and the faint hope that my luggage didn't end up in Reykjavik. Seriously, the thought of tracking down a lost suitcase feels like a medieval torture method.
- Afternoon: Arrived in Florence! Glorious, sun-drenched Florence! (After a surprisingly smooth bus ride from the airport with a driver who looked suspiciously like a young, Italian version of Jason Statham – which, I will say, was a definite perk). Picked up the rental car – a Fiat 500, which, in my defense, is adorably Italian, even if I am convinced I'll spend the next week accidentally sideswiping ancient Roman monuments.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: THE DRIVE. And the drive to Loro Ciuffenna, through the Tuscan countryside. Breathtaking. Seriously. Jaw-droppingly, “I-need-to-pull-over-and-take-a-photo-every-five-minutes” breathtaking. Found the farmhouse! Majestic Farmhouse! (Okay, "majestic" might be stretching it a little, but the pool is calling me, and I am answering). Unpacked. Realized I forgot my favorite travel pillow, which sparked a mini-breakdown. (Blamed the airport coffee).
- Evening: The pool. Oh, the pool. Jumped in fully clothed (don't judge, exhaustion does things to a person). Ordered pizza from a local place. Ate pizza poolside under a sky dusted with stars. Utter perfection. Except for that one mosquito. That one mosquito. I swear it had a personal vendetta against me.
DAY 2: LOST IN TRANSLATION (AND OLIVE GROVES)
- Morning: "Buongiorno!" and a desperate search for coffee strong enough to wake the dead. Found a tiny café in Loro Ciuffenna. Ordered a cappuccino. Felt utterly sophisticated… until I accidentally knocked over the sugar bowl. Mortified. The barista, a lady with eyes that could see straight through my soul, just smiled and gave me a fresh one. Lesson learned: Embrace the awkward.
- Mid-Morning: Attempted a hike. Got lost. Met some (very friendly) local sheep (who, I suspect, were secretly judging my hiking skills). Found a deserted olive grove. The air smelled of sun-baked earth and something vaguely floral and absolutely intoxicating (probably the olives, not sure). Sat under an olive tree, just… breathed. This is what I came for, people.
- Lunch: Found a tiny trattoria tucked away in a village so small, Google Maps didn't even recognize it. Best. Pasta. EVER. Seriously. I'm not exaggerating. The sauce was rich, the pasta perfectly al dente, and the lady in the kitchen clearly knew what she was doing. I am now a pasta convert. And I fear I won't fit into my clothes for the rest of the trip. (Worth it).
- Afternoon: More driving. More breathtaking scenery. Starting to feel like a local. Until, you know, I accidentally reversed into a small wall. (The Fiat 500 and I have a complicated relationship). Minor scrape, minor damage to my ego.
- Evening: Home-cooked meal at the farmhouse. (By which, I mean… I cooked). Mostly. Spaghetti with pesto from the tiny shop the lady pointed me to. Which turned out to be the best pesto in the world. (Again with the exaggerating… maybe… but seriously, it was good). Finished the night with some amazing Tuscan wine. (Again, maybe a little too much wine…).
DAY 3: THE UFFIZI (AND, YES, MORE PANIC)
- Morning: Florence, again! This time: The Uffizi Gallery. Booked tickets online, which was a stroke of genius. (Avoided the epic queue – victory!). The art… the ART! Absolutely stunning. But… crowded. So. Much. Crowded. Spent most of the time dodging selfie sticks and trying not to hyperventilate. The Botticelli "Birth of Venus"? Worth the chaos. The Michelangelo "David"? Even more amazing in person (and much bigger). The logistics, the mass transit, was like an obstacle course.
- Afternoon: Lunch in Florence. Found a tiny "trattoria" (which the owner told us was "hidden gem"). Best sandwich (panini?) EVER!
- Late Afternoon: The drive back. The winding roads. The sheer drop-offs. The Fiat 500 is really starting to feel the strain. I am starting to feel the strain.
- Evening: Pool time! Thank GOD for that pool. Needed to chill out after the sensory overload overload that was the Uffizi. Plus, my feet hurt.
- Late Night: Fell asleep reading under the stars, woke up freezing, stumbled back inside, and promptly spilled water all over the freshly laundered sheets. Sigh.
DAY 4: THE ART OF DOING (ALMOST) NOTHING
- Morning: Slept in! (Finally!). Coffee on the terrace. Woke up slowly to the sounds of birdsong. This is what I needed.
- Mid-Morning: Decided to be productive. Did laundry. (Still slightly traumatized by the sheet incident).
- Afternoon: The best decision ever: Nothing. Just… nothing. Lounged by the pool. Read a book. Watched the clouds drift by. Felt a sense of peace I haven't felt in, well, forever. This is the anti-museum day. This is the time to not do. Because sometimes it is doing nothing that is the hardest.
- Evening: Pizza again! (Don't judge me). Tried a new flavor. Slightly underwhelmed but the base was still good. More wine. Less wine. Depends what mood the evening dictates.
DAY 5: COOKING CLASS CHAOS
- Morning: Okay, so, booked a cooking class! In a real Italian kitchen. Thought I was prepared. I was not. Sliced my finger chopping vegetables. (Band-aids are now my new fashion accessory.) Covered in flour. Overcooked the pasta. Nearly set the kitchen on fire trying to sauté garlic. (Apparently, the Italians have some kind of culinary magic I haven't quite mastered).
- Afternoon: But! The food! Despite the minor (okay, major) disasters, everything tasted amazing! We ate our creation in a beautiful outdoor setting. Learnt to trust the chefs, and the recipe.
- Late Afternoon: More wine. Needed it.
DAY 6: THE LEANING TOWER (PISA!) AND, YEP, YOU GUESSED IT… MORE CAR TROUBLE
- Morning: Pisa! The Leaning Tower! I swear, it looks even more precarious in person. Took the obligatory (and slightly embarrassing) photo of me "holding" the tower up.
- Mid-Morning: The car. It started making a weird noise. A very weird noise. The kind of noise that makes you think "oh dear."
- Lunch: Found a small eatery in Pisa. Wonderful food; the stress of the car took away from the experience.
- Afternoon: After a moment of panic (and a frantic phone call to the rental company), it turned out to be a minor problem. (Thank God). Drove back to Loro Ciuffenna (carefully).
- Evening: Ate take out pizza. Watched a movie on the laptop. Feeling the comfort. The end is near!
DAY 7: FAREWELL (FOR NOW!)
- Morning: Packing. Always the worst part. Said a sad goodbye to the pool. Made sure to take a photo of the farmhouse that I will never look at.
- Afternoon: Drove back to the airport. The drive was easy. Back to the airport…
- Evening: Airplane. Plane food. Long Flight.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Would I recommend the Belvilla by OYO Majestic Farmhouse with Pool in Loro Ciuffenna, Italy? Absolutely. Even with the mishaps, the car-related drama, the questionable cooking skills, and the mosquitos. It was magical. It was messy. It was real. And it was exactly what I needed. (Now, where did I put that travel pillow…?)
Escape to Tuscany: Luxury Belvilla in Montescudaio Awaits!
Escape to Tuscany: Luxe Farmhouse FAQ (Prepare for Real Life!)
Okay, spill the beans! Is this place REALLY as perfect as the photos?
Alright, alright, let's be honest. Those photos? They're *gorgeous*. Like, magazine-worthy. And yes, the farmhouse *is* beautiful. BUT… perfection? Nah. Nothing in life is.
The pool? Stunning. We spent a good chunk of our first afternoon just staring at it. Pure bliss. But the sun loungers? Well, let's just say one of us (me, I'll admit it) nearly face-planted trying to gracefully leap onto one. There’s a slight wobble, and a potential for a very public topple. Lesson learned: approach with caution, especially after the second glass of prosecco.
The kitchen is a chef’s dream… in theory. In *practice*, it took us a good hour to figure out how the ancient Italian oven worked (which, by the way, seemed to have a mind of its own). Turns out, there was a specific sequence of button-pushing and lever-fiddling involved. We were both ready to order pizza by the end of it.
What’s the deal with the location near Loro Ciuffenna? Is it truly "remote and peaceful"?
Remote? Yes. Peaceful? Mostly. You *are* in the Tuscan countryside, people. Expect crickets. Lots of them. Also, the occasional distant moo from a cow, which, honestly, adds to the charm.
The drive up to the farmhouse? Let's just say our rental car got a *workout*. Winding, narrow roads. Best bring your driving A-game. And maybe a prayer. But the views… Oh, the views! Forget the stress of the drive, just breath in the scenery. Seriously, it's worth it. One time, we got totally lost (thanks, GPS!), ended up on a road that was barely wider than our car, and actually had to *reverse* for a good five minutes. But even that was hilarious in retrospect! It's part of the adventure, right? (Right?)
And Loro Ciuffenna itself? A tiny, adorable village. Go there. Eat gelato. Wander around. Fall in love. (With the gelato, mostly. The village is nice too!).
The house details are vague...how about the details? What's the layout and stuff?
Okay, so the house itself... it's BIG. Really big. It feels like you're living in a magazine spread. I actually lost my phone in one of the bedrooms for a solid day until I found it under a mountain of pillows. The decor is a mix of rustic charm and modern comfort. Think exposed stone, gorgeous wooden beams, and actual, functioning air conditioning (a lifesaver in July!).
There are multiple bedrooms, but I can’t remember how many (it depends on the particular listing, and the way the rooms are divided, you know?). The beds? Heavenly. Seriously comfortable and so big I could starfish without disturbing my partner. (Which, let’s be honest, is a huge win.) The bathrooms were all lovely – and crucially, all the showers had good water pressure. Which is a surprisingly delightful thing when you're tired from hiking.
The kitchen? As mentioned before, it LOOKS amazing, but there's a bit of a learning curve with the appliances. Don't be afraid to ask for help from the friendly locals! They can probably teach you that oven trick.
Is the pool as amazing as it looks? Because, let's be real, that's what we're all here for.
Okay, listen. The pool? Worth every single penny, every single stress-induced gray hair the planning gave me. It’s *gorgeous*. It’s the kind of pool you see in movies and think, "Yeah, right, that's CGI." But it's *real*. And it's amazing.
The water is crystal clear, the view is stunning, and the sun… well, the sun just does its thing. We spent hours lounging by the pool, reading, sipping wine (a LOT of wine), and just generally soaking up the Tuscan vibes. One night, we even had a thunderstorm roll in, and watching the lightning illuminate the pool was honestly magical. I mean, the kind of moment that makes you forget the ridiculous price of everything.
Now, the only *slightly* annoying thing? The mosquitos. They're hungry. Bring bug spray. Seriously. We learned the hard way. (And I’m still itching.)
Food! What’s the grocery situation like? Can we cook and eat for ourselves, or should we plan on dining out every night?
Grocery shopping is doable! You're not totally stranded. There are supermarkets (like Coop and Conad) a short drive away, where you can stock up on essentials - pasta, pesto, wine (essential!), whatever your heart desires.
Cooking at the farmhouse? Absolutely. The kitchen is well-equipped, and there's something incredibly satisfying about cooking a simple Italian meal with fresh ingredients. We made the most amazing pasta one night, and ate it al fresco. Pure bliss. Just be prepared that the local markets and shops might not be open at all times. We showed up to buy bread one morning to find the bakery completely closed without notice. (Tuscan time, right?)
Eating out? Also a great option! There are some fantastic restaurants in the area. Definitely make sure to try the local trattorias. The food is divine, and the atmosphere is charming. But book in advance, especially during peak season! We learned that the hard way, wandering around hungry on a Saturday night, begging for a table. (We eventually got one, after a lot of pleading!)
What sort of activities are accessible from the farmhouse? Sightseeing, hikes, etc.?
The location is great for exploring Tuscany. You're close to several charming towns. Loro Ciuffenna is a must-see – go explore the narrow streets, and grab a gelato. Also, Florence is a day trip away (but be warned, traffic can be a nightmare).
Hiking? Yes, there are hikes! Bring good shoes, and be prepared for some uphill climbs. The views from the top are worth it, though. We did a fantastic hike one morning, and the scenery was gorgeous. We got lost during the said hike and ended up being super late to lunch.
Wine tasting? Oh yes, do wine tasting! Tuscany is famous for its wine, and there are plenty of wineries in the surrounding area. We visited a few, and had a *terrific* time. (A little too terrific, perhaps… we may have bought an entire case of wine!)
Are there any unexpected “gotchas” that people should be aware of? AnythingNomad Hotel Search
