Mensanello was a delightful place, with friendly staff and a wonderful restaurant serving home cooked, home grown regional foods (open saturday and sunday nights only). The apartments were simple but clean and comfortable. The gardens were shady and the big pool was a god-send in the hot weather particularly with pre-teen kids. Quiet surrounding countryside, and short drives to local towns and villages.

Our week stay at Tenuta was one we will always remember. We had a three bedroom, two bathroom apartment that was very modern and spotless atop an ancient barn, with views overlooking the Tuscan hills. Perfect! Though it was around 90 degrees most days, the apartment was very comfortable due to its thick stucco walls. The beautiful pool area is edged with borders of rosemary and walls out of which grow thyme and lavender. The huge very old trees hummed constantly with bees. Though we never ate there, there is a restaurant in the pool area, and it was mobbed with locals both evenings it was open.

Tenuta is ideally located for day trips around Tuscany. Siena is about 20 minutes away, Florence about 40 minutes, San Gimignano 15 minutes. Also, the Chianti wine trail is almost at your doorstep. It was great to know that after a long, active day in Florence we were just a short drive from home.

Tenuta is a working farm, so be prepared for farm cats and occasional noise from farm equipment. If you are looking for a fancy hotel, you won't find it here. If you are looking for an authentic rustic Tuscan experience, classic countryside and a great night's sleep, Tenuta is your place.

I stayed at Tenuta the third week in may with my girlfriend, her family, and our best friend. This place was amazing. Our 3 bedroom apartment was great. It was extremely spacious, even by american standards. Two bathrooms and a bathtub were real luxuries compared to most places. Very peaceful, yet close enough to Siena and Firenze for exciting day trips. The on-site ristorante, although only open on friday and saturday, was incredible. Everything was very very fresh, delicious, and inexpensive. The people who work grounds were all incredibly warm and friendly. I have traveled most of the length of italy, and these are among the best accommodations I have encountered. I am planning on returning for an extended stay as soon as i return to Italy, most certainly.

This review is one year and a half overdue. But the memories of our stay at Mensanello are still vivid -- a family of 4 (two children 4 and 7), a second family of friends (with one 7 year old child), plus another couple. The two families ended up prolonging the stay from one week to 10 days. The setting is beautiful, surrounded by rolling hills; the farm itself is both authentic and modern, since the apartments we stayed in are newly remodelled and very comfortable; the swimming pool surrounded by flowers is breathtaking; and the geographic location is great to visit Siena, Monteriggioni (where a medieval festival was taking place), Pienza, etc.