8/10 Very good
Jun 8, 2010
Great character - would recommend it.
Clearly an hotel from a past era - charming with obvious tones of earlier grandeur - now long gone! Staff were courteous and helpful, but don't expect them to speak English - they can't!
The room was basic but clean. Bed linen was changed regularly, the whole room was typically Tuscan, with wooden shutters at the window to keep out the sun (no air conditioning or anything as modern as that!). The bathroom was large and clean, with plumbing that took some getting used to, but was more than adequate once the hot water arrived. We were too early in the season for the pool area to have been cleaned and set up - which happened while we were there - but Casciana has a superb outdoor spa facility which more than catered for any swimming/water activities, although it wasn't cheap.
Casciane itself has a thriving community which socializes together, as witnessed in the piazza nightly. It is a hive of activity and typically Tuscan in nature - not too touristy at all. Local restaurants are plentiful (five in walking distance of the hotel) and the food is superb. The hotel also served meals which were of a good standard on the occasions we chose to eat in.
All in all a wonderful spot to enable visits to all the 'must see' places in Tuscany, and right in the heart of the country. Definitely good for a return visit, and would recommend it highly, for charm as well as facilities, which are somewhat basic.
Jan
