Castel Monastero

Castel Monastero began life as a monastery in the 11th century. In the 13th century a wine cellar was added to store the valuable Chianti wines for which this region of Tuscany is still rightly famous. Now, nearly 1,000 years on, this castle on a hill, just nine miles from Siena, is welcoming guests as a 5-star hotel.

The cellar is still here, tastefully transformed into La Cantina restaurant, but all manner of modern innovations have been added, including a huge spa offering a range of massages as well as slimming, detox and anti-ageing treatments, post-op convalescence, energising yoga sessions, positive-thinking weekends and wine rituals for couples. There’s also a gourmet restaurant for those who prefer to dine above ground, a well-equipped gym and a choice of three swimming pools.

Rooms and suites offer views of the Chianti countryside and are handsomely decked with dark oak floors, beamed ceilings and dark-wood furniture. Activities range from wine tasting and truffle hunting to hot-air balloon flights, cooking classes and tours of the Tuscan countryside on vintage Vespas.