Why Go?
Fine wines, rolling hills, quaint villages – the beauty of Tuscany has captivated honeymooners for generations and is loved by travellers of taste. But if you head south, away from the crowds, you’ll find yourself in the Maremma region, a closely kept secret of the Italian cognoscenti. L’Andana is nestled in a picturesque parcel of land near the Tyrrhenian coast, a dream destination for honeymooners who favour a more chic and discreet stay where they can sample all of Tuscany’s ample charms.
Honeymoon Style
L’Andana suits honeymooners who are looking for the very best of Tuscan food, wine and culture, alongside a healthy dollop of Mediterranean sun, sea and scenery – all served up in a supremely relaxing setting.
Set The Scene
If you close your eyes and picture a Medici-era Italian villa sat amid olive groves and vineyards, the scent of cypress and pine in the air and the gentle splash of a fountain burbling – perhaps a cork popping somewhere nearby – your imagination would not be a far stretch from L’Andana. The hotel’s main building, La Villa, was the former residence of Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany; its neighbour, La Fattoria, the home of the duke’s farm workers. Today, these buildings are united by a tastefully informal Winter Garden that houses the lobby and the reception and, with its spectacular views of the Maremma landscape, is just the spot for aperitivi.
Neutral colours befitting old-world Tuscan charm and contemporary luxury set the tone throughout the hotel. You’ll find grand chandeliers casting a warm glow over the rustic apricot shades, and intricate baroque details juxtaposed with sleek, modern furnishings. The design also seamlessly integrates the surrounding natural beauty, with verdant greenery covering the building and lush plants effortlessly bringing the outdoors in. Alongside its ancient stone columns and graceful archways, L’Andana features an array of modern amenities, including two swimming pools, well-maintained tennis courts and a pristine golf course.
Rooms
L’Andana’s rooms are a contemporary take on a Tuscan hunting lodge. Think terracotta walls and sunset-hued Italian fabrics alongside antique furniture and polished wooden floors all combining to convey a feeling of warm, rustic comfort. Naturally, all rooms offer evocative views over the Maremma countryside.
For honeymooners, La Villa’s spacious junior suite offers a luxurious and romantic base from which to enjoy L’Andana’s amenities, with its cosy fireplace, golden furnishings, and enchanting views of the Tuscan hills. The bathroom is expansive with marble fixtures (as befits the home of an Italian duke) and a gorgeous bath spacious enough for two to enjoy an indulgent morning soak.
Food & Drink
Come to L’Andana for Tuscan relaxation – stay for the world-class cuisine. Michelin-starred La Trattoria Enrico Bartolini is the jewel in the hotel’s culinary crown, serving carefully considered plates featuring rustic local ingredients with a fine-dining twist. Hailing from Tuscany himself, Bartolini is currently the second-most-starred chef worldwide and the most-starred chef in Italy, and La Trattoria’s tasting menus with wine pairings are proof of his creative talent – imaginative dishes such as a beef tartare with a smoked gelée, and Bottoni pasta with cocoa and wild boar amuse and delight the palate.
Less formal (but just as delicious) casual-dining restaurant La Villa offers a magical setting thanks to its pretty veranda. The menu here includes the likes of Caprese salad with Maremma buffalo mozzarella, and tagliatelle with Chianina ragout. Breakfast is also served at La Villa where the buffet tables groan under the weight of freshly baked breads and pastries.
The on-site winery is a must-see for guests. Named Acquagiusta – after the life-giving underground spring that bubbled up from the ground during the time of Leopold II, and gave life and industry to the farms and people of the estate – the hotel winery produces white, red and rosé wine from its vineyards. The wine-tasting experience takes you on a fascinating tour of the lush vineyards and winery before a curated tasting of Acquagiusta’s wines – paired with simple but delicious fresh pasta, bread and olive oil (also produced on-site).
Spa
L’Andana’s small but perfectly formed Espa spa has two thermal spas, a mineral-rich heated Vitality Pool to coax weary muscles into relaxation, a Turkish bath and a thalassotherapy pool. A programme of classic Espa treatments awaits guests, who can then bask in serenity while sinking into the soft sun loungers that overlook the peaceful outdoor pool.
The Story
Leopold II of Lorraine built L’Andana as a hunting lodge and summer residence in the nineteenth century. Although the Grand Duke has been dead for two hundred years, he’s still considered a hero by locals, who recount how he began the reclamation of Maremma’s wetlands – abandoned to nature since the late Roman era – and transformed them into a natural paradise where agriculture began to thrive. Now, L’Andana offers the best of five-star service and amenities within an elevated country estate, perfect for honeymooners looking for luxury off the beaten track.
Location
While L’Andana’s position amid 1,200 acres of rolling vineyards and olive groves feels splendidly remote, it sits just a couple of hours from Florence in one direction, and Rome in the other. The Maremma offers unspoilt stretches of coastline and a nature reserve spanning across 20,000 acres and is home to the UNESCO-listed Biancane National Park, known for its geothermics and flamingos. L’Andana is also just 15 minutes away from the pretty seaside town of Castiglione della Pescaia, with its sturdy, green-shuttered houses, steep flagstone streets sloping down to a dainty harbour, and breathtaking views over the Tuscan archipelago.
L’Andana, Tuscany, offers double rooms from €440 per night based on two sharing, including breakfast. Book here.
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