Our opinion
Relais Il Falconiere is traditional, charming and has a superb restaurant.
Hotel description
The delightful Relais Il Falconiere is the result of a true labour of love on the part of the owners Silvia and Riccardo Baracchi. Once the home of the Italian poet Antonio Guadagnoli, the palazzo dates back to the 1600s and many original features have been carefully preserved, such as the frescoed walls in the little private chapel in the grounds and the antique furniture dotted throughout the hotel. Relais Il Falconiere stands in utter peace and tranquillity; surrounded by a garden of cypress trees and horse-chestnuts it faces the countryside of eastern Tuscany and the green valley of Val di Chiana. Its spacious bedrooms are situated either in the main building or in a neighbouring smaller villa about 150 metres away, and each room has beautiful traditional furniture such as wrought iron four-poster beds and ornate lampstands. Each villa has an outdoor swimming pool. A highlight of any stay at the Relais Il Falconiere is the cuisine; the original dishes created here are personally supervised by Silvia Baracchi and served in the elegant restaurant, with one Michelin star, on two floors. Alternatively, guests can dine on the wonderful outside terrace from May to September. The Relais Il Falconiere has its own vineyard and wine tasting tours are available from the end of October until April. In the course of 2009 the hotel opened an elegant and fascinating new Spa called the Thesan Etruscan Spa using natural products based on olives and grapes. The Relais Il Falconiere is ideally located for trips to both Tuscany and Umbria.
Location
Localita San Martino, near Cortona, Tuscany
Closest airport
Florence, Pisa, Rome, Perugia
Room types
Number of rooms 22
Room Type A: Classic double or twin. Shower and wc, Air-conditioning, Hairdryer, Satellite television, Safe, Telephone, Minibar.
Room Type B: Deluxe double or twin. Jacuzzi bath and wc, Air-conditioning, Hairdryer, Satellite television, Safe, Telephone, Minibar.
Room Type C: Junior suite. Jacuzzi bath and wc, Air-conditioning, Hairdryer, Satellite television, Safe, Telephone, Minibar.
Room Type D: Suite. Jacuzzi bath, shower and wc, Air-conditioning, Hairdryer, Satellite television, Safe, Telephone, Minibar.
Hotel facilities and services
Two swimming pools (May to September), Restaurant, Bar, Terrace, Garden, Lift, Room service, Baby-sitting, Parking, Cookery courses and wine tours, Thesan Spa.
Out and aboutnearby/local interest
The walled Etruscan hilltown of Cortona, Perugia, Arezzo and Lake Trasimeno.
Sports nearby
Walking, Ellera golf course (18-hole), Riding, Tennis.
Minimum stays
2 nights from 1 May to 30 Sep. 4 nights over the New Year period.