The Best Hotels to Book in Montepulciano, Italy

The Lupaia countryside estate will leave you longing for more time in Montepulciano. As you wander through the gardens, en route to the ancient farmhouses that you’ll call home for your visit, the panoramic views of the rolling hills will convince you to spend every moment of daylight poolside. The cool air and calming whisper of the wind are only rivalled by the aroma of fresh herbs and roasted meat wafting your way as your host prepares a four-course dinner of Tuscan delights.

The views lending Hotel Panoramic its name are yours to take in whichever way you please, with the tennis court, warm solarium and thermal hydromassage swimming pool surrounded by scenic hillsides. Doze off under the shade of a fruit tree and dream of the hidden corners you found – while walking or cycling – in its 2ha (5 acres) of woods and olive groves. Don’t feel bad about curling up with a good book in your air-conditioned king-size bed either – the hotel uses renewable energy sources.

Spend every night hopping between the restaurants and clubs around the Piazza Grande from your room at the Hotel La Terrazza di Montepulciano. Set your luggage in your expertly restored room and step out into the historic centre. Taste the grapes that have produced exceptional wine since the Renaissance at Contucci. Afterwards, admire the art collection at the Museo Civico Pinacoteca Crociani as you await your dinner reservations at Osteria del Borgo.

Albergo Il Marzocco, dating back to 1500, is the oldest hotel in Montepulciano. The former farmhouse now beckons you to enjoy the stunning views from its terraces that so many writers, actors and other distinguished guests have savoured for more than a century. Just outside the brick building, you’ll find the marble lion of the Colonna del Marzocco standing watch over the oldest part of Montepulciano.

Albergo Duomo welcomes you to dive into that novel you haven’t had the time to read. Your hosts will show you to a single room tastefully decorated with a tiled marble floor and simple Tuscan furnishings. Unwind with a drink from your minibar, or flip through the pages with a glass of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in hand by the fireplace in the lounge area. If you happen to be reading one of Stephenie Meyer’s romances, peer outside and spot a filming location from Twilight: New Moon (2009).

Central yet quiet, the apartments of La Corte Medicea invite you to immerse yourself in Tuscan culture. Enjoy complimentary cappuccinos with breakfast before sipping through a wine tour, foraging during a truffle hunt or learning how to capture the beautiful Montepulciano countryside on canvas. The restaurant next door is another gateway to century-old traditions, with its fettunta (Italian garlic bread), panzanella (salad of stale bread, tomatoes and onion) and other house-made cuisine offered at a discount for all apartment guests.

La Corte Segreta’s guest rooms and apartment loft are only steps from Montepulciano’s historic centre. The large double room with a private garden is a comfortable place for you to recoup after a day spent wine tasting. If you want to put the lessons from your Tuscan cooking class to the test, take advantage of the kitchen in the apartment loft, where you can prepare a Tuscan salad while watching the sunset.

The striking fireplace in the Hearth room and the breathtaking views of Lake Trasimeno and the Apennines in the Apostoli suite are fantastic, but it’s the Contessa Eponina room that will wow you like no other at this hotel in Montepulciano. This ground-floor room of Tombesi Trecci is adorned with motifs of coeval draping curtains. Meanwhile, a cosy fireplace is the centrepiece of the living room, surrounded by vivid architectural frescoes by Andrea Galetti.

A mosaic of art and nature paints a picturesque stay at the I Palazzi Bed and Breakfast, situated between Montepulciano and Cortona. Whether you’re an artist or merely an appreciator, the vineyards and olive groves surrounding this Valdichiana home will inspire you. You’ll share the B&B with only three other guests rooms, spoiling you with a quiet getaway. When you’d like camaraderie and conversation, your hosts will eagerly detail the Middle Age history of the home and lead you to the best pecorino cheesemakers in the village.