We stayed here for 4 nights as part of our honeymoon trip.

It is undeniable that the buildings, settings and pools are absolutely stunning and this is the main selling point really. The dinner setting (roof top by candle light) was absolutely divine, seriously unbelievable, and we had some of the best wine of our trip here, as well as some of the best food. We also appreciated being so far removed from everyone, and not bothered by other people or staff during the day. I also loved the turn down service with home made toffee.

However:

Even though I knew what to expect from other reviews, the food is spectacularly poor value for money, and it didn't feel very transparent with regards to cost. For example there is no indication of the price of the wine and water left in the room, which turned out to be 55 Euro for the wine - which I felt was a bit naughty not to state. In the evening when you go to your table they say 'still or sparkling water' (ie you are having water of some kind) and afterwards found this was itemised on the bill which I thought was a tad churlish!

We also knew there would be no air conditioning and understand it may not be easily done in this building, however the fans and air movement need to be more carefully thought out. We stayed in the Chinese room and if you were on the far side of the bed, the air really didn't catch you at all and made for a very warm, uncomfortable night

I thought the quality of the food and wine was usually very good, but certainly not phenominal and very, very over priced.

The staff were reasonably good but it all felt a little bit staid at times

We left early on our last day, and we felt that considering what the Castello markets itself to be, we were surprised not to be offered a packed or early breakfast, even if this had just been some fruit etc.

The most disapointing aspect for us was that after paying our bill, we notified the receptionist of something that we felt they ought to know just for them to be aware of. Rather than receiving any apology or recognition we came up with extreme defensiveness - the lady actually said 'well it wasn't me', as if we were accusing her personally, which left rather a bitter taste in the mouth having paid the not insubstantial bill!

Overall, not as good as expected.

When we booked a suite at Castello di Vicarello, we were expecting just what it was advertising itself to be - a private, service-oriented retreat with a "first class spa", and charming owners (the Husband hunts, the Wife cooks). The family was away, the spa was a tiny wooden hut impossible to do yoga in (flies would swarm around your face and not a single room is air-conditioned), the food was simple and mediocre in relation to the very high price. Breakfast is 30 Euros per Person; it consists of some fruit, a Muffin or two and coffee I could not drink if my life depended on it. Of course, the nearest village is about a 15 minute drive, so you have no choice but to eat at the hotel 3 times a day - a complete and utter trap. The lady who gave massages in the Spa actually told us that they were all brought over from India to work the summer at the Hotel. They are not given food, expected to find their own lodgings and are definitely not being payed enough. If you're expecting even the simplest of services, forget it. Lying by the pool all day there is no one around to take your order, not even a jug of water - you are expecting to go out of your way, find someone and ask them for any little thing, which of course they will charge you for and consider a personal favour.

This would all be well and good if it was not a resort that charges as much as, say, the JK Place in Capri does - IF NOT MORE. Considering the 300 Euro drive from Florence Airport, in this case the seclusion is not relaxing or beautiful - it is simply a trap and a rip off.

My husband and I stayed at the castle last week for 3 nights as part of our Tuscan honeymoon. We've traveled widely and I have to say that the setting was probably the most beautiful we have ever seen. I couldn't even read any books as I didn't want to take my eyes off the perfect landscape!! It is an incredibly peaceful and remote place ... so if that isn't what you're looking for, be prepared! We were and we loved it! It's a great place for love full stop, but also one of the things I also did was totally fall in love with food again!! Eating there was an absolute joy. I loved every gorgeous mouthful. It was rediscovering what food should really taste like and every dinner was a complete treat (again we are used to eating at quality places and our standards are extremely high!) I was surprised to read that some reviewers had issues with the food there. We honestly couldn't have had better. Everything homemade, everything from produce grown on the grounds and locally sourced.

We also had some fantastic yoga sessions. Not something we'd normally do but they were brilliant!

Yes ... this is a family home but for us, that added something special to our visit and also a feeling that it was a genuine privilege to be there.

If you're looking for a typical five star hotel then clearly this isn't for you, but if you're looking for a beautiful Tuscan experience and are happy to take it all in, wear flat shoes (one review mentioned how uneven the paths are!!!!) follow the lanterns back to your room at night (one review talked about how dark it was ... there are torches in the rooms and it really isn't an issue. We love lamp light!) and just go with the flow, you'll have an amazing time. We certainly did. I will admit the lack of air conditioning is a bit of an issue. Our suite was very hot at night, but It was something we were prepared to accept and I appreciate the reasons behind it. It would have been brilliant to have some though. All in all a fantastic retreat and we would return for sure!

Sadly, I didn't. I've never written a review before either...

There are good points about Castello di Vicarello, the rooms, the pools, the grounds and largely, the staff but...

It is remote - and I expected this to be a positive but when as a family with three children, you are left feeling un-looked after and very hungry indeed - it is not such an asset!

We'd just had three nights at the Borgo Santo Pietro (fantastic) and Vicarello cost us the same (we paid £1000 per night).

Firstly -
1. No water when we arrived
2. No gas
3. No milk or snacks (little thing I know but no shop anywhere near)
4. Ipod dock with a foreign plug (I had to ask for an adaptor and was told they only provide them on request as they were often stolen…)
5. Hardly any staff around
6. No air-conditioning (fine, but most guests we spoke with were very uncomfortable at night)

We were offered lunch as soon as we arrived and had a delightful - if very light - meal. It is very, very quiet - which I loved but was also grateful that my three children (14,14 and 7) behaved very well indeed. If I'd had smaller children I think I would've felt uncomfortable.

We were given a menu for supper - choices for starter, pasta, meat and dessert. We all chose the tomato, basil, olive and anchovy lasagnette, (ie. we didn’t want the starter and meat) the children would have dessert and we would have cheese. This was made VERY clear at lunchtime!

We also, similarly to a previous reviewer, have very high standards and have travelled widely. Italian cooking, wine and even growing organic food is not a novelty.

Our evening meal was in fact the most disappointing meal we had on our whole trip - and one of the most expensive.

We were given one little, rather average tomato bruschetta followed by the smallest piece of lasagnette I have ever known! It was two small sheets of plain pasta with a few cherry tomatoes, olives and some basil on top - it was also very bland.

I can only surmise that the kitchen gave us the same portions as if we were also having starters and meat dishes. But they knew at lunchtime - did they think it would be enough? They tried to charge the full amount E55 per person (including my little one) until my husband complained and they reduced it to E100.

Fortunately, my children saw the funny side (on a VERY quiet balcony!) and I managed to ask for some extra pasta with tomato sauce for my small one - which we then counted out between us! We were trying so hard not to be rude and interfere with the few other guests’ evenings.

We went to bed hungry and disappointed.

Breakfast is odd and sparse (we cottoned on and started ordering lots of eggs) and the coffee is filter - no espresso here. As another reviewer wrote we kept having to ask for more bread. Reluctantly brought.

Needless to say, after that, we ate out.

Sadly, at the end of our stay when my husband went to pay, Aurora (the owner) made a point of disagreeing with his mild comments - even following him and calling out to continue the conversation. I simply would not expect that at a hotel pitching itself at this level.

It seems (gentle) criticism is not welcome or expected at Castello di Vicarello. Indeed, one does feel that it is a private home first and foremost and an hotel second.

I do hope none of the staff get in trouble - I sense they were trying their best and it wasn't their fault.

Finally, the Mr and Mrs Smith guide (both the book and online) says that under 8s stay free. Even though the book was in the room, Aurora assures us that the book is mistaken…

Hampshire, England