Reviews of Property: Tuscany: 17th century hillside farmhouse villa - private pool - stunning views
Description
Villa, 250 m²,
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, 3 Bathrooms, 1 Separate Toilet
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, 3 Bathrooms, 1 Separate Toilet
Facilities
rural,
pool,
garden,
terrace,
satellite or cable
Rates
per property
(GBP)
£800 -
£1,950/week
Sylvia Levy-Nichols
+44 (0)1323-423122
+39 (0)575-70122
+39 (0)575-70122
Speaks: English, French, German, Italian
11 Reviews of Property 7115 in Monterchi, Italy
"beyond my wildest fantasies"
Review Submitted: June 5, 2008
Date of Stay: May 2008
Fontemaggio was even more beautiful than both the description and photos and the surrounding countryside was spectacular . The villa offers a magical escape with miles of walks and views as well as being set in an area that is rich in history, art, fabulous food and wine.
We were given a lovely welcome basket on arrival and never stopped feeling overwhelmed by the attention and care with which the villa had been designed and decorated both inside and in the surrounding gardens. The excursions and restaurants in the visitor's booklet were exceptional and we were grateful for and learned to depend on all the recommendations.
Not only would I highly recommend a stay at Fontemaggio to everyone but I would happily return anytime. When I asked a travelling companion if she wanted to contibute to the description she said that "beyond my wildest dreams" pretty well sums it up.
We were given a lovely welcome basket on arrival and never stopped feeling overwhelmed by the attention and care with which the villa had been designed and decorated both inside and in the surrounding gardens. The excursions and restaurants in the visitor's booklet were exceptional and we were grateful for and learned to depend on all the recommendations.
Not only would I highly recommend a stay at Fontemaggio to everyone but I would happily return anytime. When I asked a travelling companion if she wanted to contibute to the description she said that "beyond my wildest dreams" pretty well sums it up.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Exceptional in every way
Review Submitted: July 8, 2009
Date of Stay: May 2009
Fontemaggio is a really exceptional property. The web page does not begin to convey the reality of this authentic Tuscan farmhouse, steeped in history, elegantly restored, tastefully furnished, with all you could wish for in the way of modern amenities. Both house and grounds are spacious, enabling you to escape for a while from the rest of the group if you choose.
We arrived to find a perfectly prepared and spotlessly clean property, beautiful flowers and a bottle of wine. The welcome pack was very 'welcome', as our flight was late and we missed the shops.
There is much attention to detail: walls hung with art works, an enviable library of glossy art books, and beautiful bed linen with drawn thread work edging. The well- designed and equipped kitchen is a gastronome’s delight - we loved cooking to Italian arias on the cds provided with the hi-fi! The various terraces, all with wonderful views, made each meal memorable.
The gardens and grounds are a dream – very Italianate, romantic and filled with fragrance. Old and young alike enjoyed the circular pool and sun bathing on the pool terrace, surrounded by the scent of the rosemary and the beautiful views to the hills beyond. At night the pool and garden are lit – we loved sitting there until bedtime after a barbecue in the olive grove.
The friendly housekeeper called by a couple of times to check all was well – which it certainly was.
Sylvia was really helpful , providing answers to all kinds of e mail queries, which were found in fact in her thorough information pack. This also supplied information on local facilities and personal recommendations for eating out and excursions – all of these were excellent. The property, although set in peaceful countryside, has easy access to local shops and restaurants within minutes. Fontemaggio is also perfectly situated for visiting the sites in both Tuscany and Umbria. I just wish we could have stayed longer. We look forward to a return visit!
We arrived to find a perfectly prepared and spotlessly clean property, beautiful flowers and a bottle of wine. The welcome pack was very 'welcome', as our flight was late and we missed the shops.
There is much attention to detail: walls hung with art works, an enviable library of glossy art books, and beautiful bed linen with drawn thread work edging. The well- designed and equipped kitchen is a gastronome’s delight - we loved cooking to Italian arias on the cds provided with the hi-fi! The various terraces, all with wonderful views, made each meal memorable.
The gardens and grounds are a dream – very Italianate, romantic and filled with fragrance. Old and young alike enjoyed the circular pool and sun bathing on the pool terrace, surrounded by the scent of the rosemary and the beautiful views to the hills beyond. At night the pool and garden are lit – we loved sitting there until bedtime after a barbecue in the olive grove.
The friendly housekeeper called by a couple of times to check all was well – which it certainly was.
Sylvia was really helpful , providing answers to all kinds of e mail queries, which were found in fact in her thorough information pack. This also supplied information on local facilities and personal recommendations for eating out and excursions – all of these were excellent. The property, although set in peaceful countryside, has easy access to local shops and restaurants within minutes. Fontemaggio is also perfectly situated for visiting the sites in both Tuscany and Umbria. I just wish we could have stayed longer. We look forward to a return visit!
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Ideal in Every Way
Review Submitted: December 15, 2008
Date of Stay: October 2008
I have been back from my visit to Fontemaggio for almost two months now and can't stop talking about it to everyone I meet. I went there for my 60th birthday with three friends and my daughter and her partner. Everything about it was perfect and just what I'd hoped for. The only improvement in our visit would have been to extend it. We were only there a week and didn't have enough time to do both the day trips to nearby towns and countryside in Umbria and Tuscany and spend as much time relaxing and enjoying the villa as we would have liked.
The villa is wonderfully charming and quaint. It is spacious, allowing everyone a measure of privacy, but still very homey. The decor in the house is tasteful and comfortable, with interesting art, and the three terraces and landscaping incredible. We enjoyed espressos every morning overlooking the fabulous Tuscan hillside; late afternoon rests by the beautiful pool after enjoying the great day trips suggested by the owner (the water was a bit cold in mid-October for all but the young man with us), wonderful wine, fruit, salami, and cheese from the local shops back on the terrace every evening, and making great dinners in the well equipped kitchen. At night, we listened to the music provided and looked through the amazing collection of art and history books on the living room shelves.
The town of Monterchi, just 10 minutes away, was also ideal - picturesque and friendly. We were lucky enough to be there for the Sunday market in the old town, where we bought fresh honey, olive oil, wine, crepes, and more.
The whole experience was even more special because of the owner, Sylvia. She is warm and friendly and provides a wealth of information about the local area. At my invitation, she joined us for my birthday celebration and was bright, engaging, and fun. I strongly encouraged you to invite her up for a glass of wine. I hope she's there when I go back.
We celebrated the birthday of another one of our party at the villa. Sylvia arranged for three people to come and prepare a meal for us. They came at 4:00 and served our five course meal at 8:15. My friend, who loves to cook, sent the whole time watching them. It was a bit spendy but a wonderful addition to our time at Fontemaggio.
For those of you considering going to Fontemaggio, I highly recommend it. Of those who do go, I'm totally envious.
The villa is wonderfully charming and quaint. It is spacious, allowing everyone a measure of privacy, but still very homey. The decor in the house is tasteful and comfortable, with interesting art, and the three terraces and landscaping incredible. We enjoyed espressos every morning overlooking the fabulous Tuscan hillside; late afternoon rests by the beautiful pool after enjoying the great day trips suggested by the owner (the water was a bit cold in mid-October for all but the young man with us), wonderful wine, fruit, salami, and cheese from the local shops back on the terrace every evening, and making great dinners in the well equipped kitchen. At night, we listened to the music provided and looked through the amazing collection of art and history books on the living room shelves.
The town of Monterchi, just 10 minutes away, was also ideal - picturesque and friendly. We were lucky enough to be there for the Sunday market in the old town, where we bought fresh honey, olive oil, wine, crepes, and more.
The whole experience was even more special because of the owner, Sylvia. She is warm and friendly and provides a wealth of information about the local area. At my invitation, she joined us for my birthday celebration and was bright, engaging, and fun. I strongly encouraged you to invite her up for a glass of wine. I hope she's there when I go back.
We celebrated the birthday of another one of our party at the villa. Sylvia arranged for three people to come and prepare a meal for us. They came at 4:00 and served our five course meal at 8:15. My friend, who loves to cook, sent the whole time watching them. It was a bit spendy but a wonderful addition to our time at Fontemaggio.
For those of you considering going to Fontemaggio, I highly recommend it. Of those who do go, I'm totally envious.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Beautifully designed, perfect for adults & kids
Review Submitted: November 14, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
Absolutely gorgeous house and gardens. Gorgeous decor, fabulous landscaping (the owner Sylvia is a landscape designer), divine pool, heavenly bedrooms. Three master suites (plus other bedrooms) means it's a perfect villa to rent with friends. Three different outdoor eating areas meant we could have dinner under the stars in different locales each night. Breakfast on the balcony overlooking the geraniums and vines; dinner on the terrace with the scent of rosemary. Fabulous spot. Great location for Tuscan & Umbrian sightseeing. Exquisite Piero fresco in local village.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Dream property..........
Review Submitted: October 19, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
This property is a real gem! The website does not begin to describe all that it has to offer. It evokes a real sense of history. The immaculate and spacious interior has been beautifully restored and elegantly decorated and furnished, the walls hung with art and lots of tasteful personal touches. The library of glossy books on art and Italy is stunning. What comfortable beds – we all slept really soundly, and woke ready to explore the recommendations in the owner’s information pack, all of which were excellent. The location is perfect for visiting sites in both Tuscany and Umbria.
The gardens are breathtakingly romantic – and appropriately Italianate. The pool setting is beautifully designed, surrounded by scented rosemary framing wonderful panoramic views to hilltop castles, olive groves and rolling Tuscan hills. It was a joy to pick fresh lemons for gin and tonics and salad dressings! We were spoilt for choice of terraces and views for drinks and meals and loved the barbecue in the little olive grove.
There are great walking and running tracks directly from the villa, which enabled us to feel less guilty about the fantastic food locally available in both restaurants and shops. The meal we had prepared for us at Fontemaggio by the hired cooks was absolutely delicious and very good value.
I strongly recommend this property to families, couples and groups of friends – in fact everyone- we are already planning a return visit ………
The gardens are breathtakingly romantic – and appropriately Italianate. The pool setting is beautifully designed, surrounded by scented rosemary framing wonderful panoramic views to hilltop castles, olive groves and rolling Tuscan hills. It was a joy to pick fresh lemons for gin and tonics and salad dressings! We were spoilt for choice of terraces and views for drinks and meals and loved the barbecue in the little olive grove.
There are great walking and running tracks directly from the villa, which enabled us to feel less guilty about the fantastic food locally available in both restaurants and shops. The meal we had prepared for us at Fontemaggio by the hired cooks was absolutely delicious and very good value.
I strongly recommend this property to families, couples and groups of friends – in fact everyone- we are already planning a return visit ………
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
such a nice place....
Review Submitted: September 18, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
We had a lovely time in casa Fontemaggio.
The house is spacious, clean and very well decorated.
The location is amazing, overlooking a nice, quiet and typical Tuscany landscape.
Last but not least you have all the necessary facilities located very close from the house, especially Marcello and its unforgettable bar supermarket ...
For all these reasons I highly recommend a stay at Fontemaggio to everyone. Hope I can come back overthere soon !
The house is spacious, clean and very well decorated.
The location is amazing, overlooking a nice, quiet and typical Tuscany landscape.
Last but not least you have all the necessary facilities located very close from the house, especially Marcello and its unforgettable bar supermarket ...
For all these reasons I highly recommend a stay at Fontemaggio to everyone. Hope I can come back overthere soon !
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Perfect to unwind
Review Submitted: August 28, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
This is a very special house. The decor here was quite luxurious the beds and furniture very comfortable and how thoughtful to provide enough drinking glasses, plates and cups, not to have to wash up after every meal.
The guide to the area was very useful. We found we could buy everything we needed at Marcellos local supermarket. My favourite spot was the balcony overlooking the valley, feet up with a book and a glass of wine, just unwinding. Circular pool was quite a novelty and not being too deep made us use it more than previous pools. We thoroughly recommend this property for anyone looking for a get away from it all peaceful holiday in an elegant and well maintained house.
The guide to the area was very useful. We found we could buy everything we needed at Marcellos local supermarket. My favourite spot was the balcony overlooking the valley, feet up with a book and a glass of wine, just unwinding. Circular pool was quite a novelty and not being too deep made us use it more than previous pools. We thoroughly recommend this property for anyone looking for a get away from it all peaceful holiday in an elegant and well maintained house.
Recommended for:
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Rustic beauty and breathtaking views.
Review Submitted: August 6, 2008
Date of Stay: July 2008
The owners were there on our arrival and made us feel very welcome. We had a tour of the house which was beautifully clean and cool and then made swift use of the fantastic pool. Just the right size for the five of us. The wildlife and plants completely envelope you in scent and sound, day and night. The pictures on the website are just how it is. Monterchi is a lovely little town and Marcello the local supermarket owner is an entitiy in himself and as for his roast pork......... !
Cinzia and Nelson were on hand in week two and went beyond the call of duty when our six yr old broke her toe! Fontemaggio is reasonably well equipped, quiet and picturesque and Sylvia's guide of whats what was fantastic and right on the nose. We gave some feedback to Sylvia during our stay that the only things that would improve Fontemaggio was some extra lighting on the trerraces and steps outside and some 'unbreakable' crockery and glasses for outdoor eating. She was very interested to hear our thoughts and took them on board with positivity. Our daughters are 9,6 and 2, while the older ones were fine, the steps and stairs without bannisters may have made us nervous for our toddler (if she hadn't been our third!) But what you gain in safety you may well lose in charm. For two weeks we would always opt for charm.
Cinzia and Nelson were on hand in week two and went beyond the call of duty when our six yr old broke her toe! Fontemaggio is reasonably well equipped, quiet and picturesque and Sylvia's guide of whats what was fantastic and right on the nose. We gave some feedback to Sylvia during our stay that the only things that would improve Fontemaggio was some extra lighting on the trerraces and steps outside and some 'unbreakable' crockery and glasses for outdoor eating. She was very interested to hear our thoughts and took them on board with positivity. Our daughters are 9,6 and 2, while the older ones were fine, the steps and stairs without bannisters may have made us nervous for our toddler (if she hadn't been our third!) But what you gain in safety you may well lose in charm. For two weeks we would always opt for charm.
Recommended for:
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Simply the best!
Review Submitted: August 1, 2008
Date of Stay: May 2008
Having stayed in several properties in Italy, we have to say that Casa Fontemaggio is the one we were most reluctant to leave. We loved the house, which has been beautifully restored and furnished with taste. It was well equipped and had been immaculately prepared and cleaned. Cinzia gave us a friendly welcome and called by to check we were OK. We really enjoyed the space both inside and out, particularly dining on all the different terraces. The gardens are wonderful and the views are breathtaking. The pool setting is so lovely, surrounded by scented plants and distant views, and it’s great for children. We also enjoyed it lit up by night. It was remarkable to be so private and secluded yet so close to the local village. We found Monterchi really special (and tourist-free). We tried out most of the recommendations in Sylvia’s guide for trips and restaurants and they never failed to deliver. We don’t usually go back to the same place for a holiday but this time we might not be able to resist!
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Picturesque and charming corner of Tuscany
Review Submitted: July 23, 2008
Date of Stay: June 2008
Fontemaggio is a beautiful property. It is situated on a picturesque hillside near the incredibly charming hill town of Monterchi, right on the border of Tuscany and Umbria. The house is well-equipped and peaceful with stunning views and abundant gardens. The only thing which prevents me from giving this property an excellent rating is the thought that the property is in need of some maintenance/updating. Upon arrival we discovered a noticeable ant problem in the kitchen and while country living can be "buggy," this was something I would attribute more to maintenance and housekeeping. The kitchen could do with an update and a good washing down, particularly the cooking stove, and perhaps the addition of a microwave. The iron was cracked and broken, preventing the use of water for steam ironing. And the bicycles mentioned in the advert were not readily on hand. Overall, the house inside would definitely be served by a fresh coat of paint. The owners reside elsewhere so perhaps are unaware of these small issues. This property is a gem that with some attention would be simply perfect and would better merit the rental cost required.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children
Owner's Response: I am shocked to have received the first (somewhat) negative review since I began renting Fontemaggio 7 years and over 70 contented rentals ago. I suppose it shows that you can't please everyone all of the time. I am absolutely not an absent landlord. I love Fontemaggio and consider it my home in Italy. It is important to me that guests have only positive experiences. I visit Casa Fontemaggio every 4-6 weeks to check things are up to standard and keep in contact with my housekeeper. It is only out of courtesy to guests that I am not there more often. I was at the property when this review came through and the guests staying at the time could not believe that the description was the same property for which they had only praise.
The reason for these issues was unfortunately due to the immediately previous guests being the most unsympathetic to Fontemaggio than any. The house, pool and gardens had been left in such a deplorable state that it was impossible to prepare the property to the usual standards within the time available. Our cleaning team is the best I have experienced. They work hard and like me want guests to have a happy stay. They spend a minimum of 10 hours preparation between rentals. The rooms are redecorated annually, in rotation, so that each room is repainted every 3 years. It is well known in Italy that ants enter a country property within moments if guests are not fastidious about avoiding dropping crumbs on the kitchen floor. This particular guest’s over-reaction unfortunately resulted in covering much of the 2 acre gardens with insecticide powder! Highly toxic to children and wildlife, the gardener spent 4 hours removing it. Guests are advised to let our friendly housekeeper, Cinzia, know if they have any problems. She called by several times and asked if everything was ok and on each occasion the reply was positive. It is impossible to know for instance that a steam iron is broken unless guests tell Cinzia. The bikes were readily available in the garage. The key was on the ring given with the house key. It is labelled ‘bicycles’. Our web page makes it clear that we have a well equipped kitchen but not a microwave. Guests have told us they come to experience authentic Italian cuisine and way of life. However, in response to the suggestion, a microwave has been purchased.
I want Casa Fontemaggio to offer the experience of a home from home in a special and historic part of Tuscany. With all other guests I have achieved this.
The reason for these issues was unfortunately due to the immediately previous guests being the most unsympathetic to Fontemaggio than any. The house, pool and gardens had been left in such a deplorable state that it was impossible to prepare the property to the usual standards within the time available. Our cleaning team is the best I have experienced. They work hard and like me want guests to have a happy stay. They spend a minimum of 10 hours preparation between rentals. The rooms are redecorated annually, in rotation, so that each room is repainted every 3 years. It is well known in Italy that ants enter a country property within moments if guests are not fastidious about avoiding dropping crumbs on the kitchen floor. This particular guest’s over-reaction unfortunately resulted in covering much of the 2 acre gardens with insecticide powder! Highly toxic to children and wildlife, the gardener spent 4 hours removing it. Guests are advised to let our friendly housekeeper, Cinzia, know if they have any problems. She called by several times and asked if everything was ok and on each occasion the reply was positive. It is impossible to know for instance that a steam iron is broken unless guests tell Cinzia. The bikes were readily available in the garage. The key was on the ring given with the house key. It is labelled ‘bicycles’. Our web page makes it clear that we have a well equipped kitchen but not a microwave. Guests have told us they come to experience authentic Italian cuisine and way of life. However, in response to the suggestion, a microwave has been purchased.
I want Casa Fontemaggio to offer the experience of a home from home in a special and historic part of Tuscany. With all other guests I have achieved this.
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