Badia di Pomaio small luxury hotels of the world

We enjoyed a wonderful short break at Badia di Pomaio. The location is perfect, nestled in a beautiful setting in the hills above Arezzo. All aspects of the property and gardens have been thoughtfully designed to ensure comfort, while not compromising its Tuscan heritage. Breakfast and dinner were both fabulous. However, by far the standout aspect of our stay was the superlative service. Everyone was exceptional, but individual shout outs to Giulia, who kindly shared her knowledge of Italian wines, through an impromptu tour of the wine cellar, and Davide, who shared detailed parking, restaurant and historic sight recommendations for both Arezzo and Cortona. Thank you for a restful and thoroughly enjoyable stay.

Spent 3nights before going to a wedding in Sienna. It is a magical place on all fronts. To start with location, it is private with views and approximate to Arezzo. Hotel, gardens, swimming pool and the farm.. are all super clean, well designed and immersed within surroundings. Food is fresh from the garden and wine selection was super. We loved the wine cellar selection of wine! Staying at night under the starry nights was really beautiful. The staff were professionals and so kind. Hard to name all but from start to end they were all fabulous! Big thank you Badia di Pomaio for such a wonderful stay and we will definitely come back again 👍🏻

A Breathtaking Tuscan Retreat with Exceptional Setting, But Value and Flexibility Disappointment Nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, this secluded estate is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque hideaways one could hope for. The sweeping gardens, peaceful parkland, and a private swimming pool create a dreamlike atmosphere, perfect for guests seeking quiet luxury. The panoramic terrace overlooking the grounds is a standout feature: ideal for morning coffees or sun-set dinners. The staff, from reception to kitchen and service, deserve praise for their friendliness and professionalism. Their warm and attentive attitude made the stay feel genuinely welcoming. But for all its beauty and charm, the experience is undermined by a series of missteps particularly considering the €950 per night price tag. Breakfast is included in the rate, but the selection is unexpectedly sparse. If you'd like a simple porridge, an avocado-and-egg bagel, or anything slightly beyond the basics, be prepared to pay an extra up to €18 for a bowl of porridge, which feels absurd at this level. At such a price point, a varied and complete breakfast should be the norm, not a premium add-on. Dinner is another example of style over substance. The food is truly good, refined, seasonal, and beautifully plated but the portions are so small that even those with modest appetites may leave hungry. And the prices are excessive, even by fine dining standards, creating a growing sense of imbalance between cost and experience. One particular moment encapsulated this disconnect perfectly: at 9:45 p.m., after dinner, my husband kindly asked if he could have a single scoop of gelato. The waitress, though friendly, politely declined because the kitchen was closed already. While I appreciated the courtesy of the response, one has to wonder: why would a chef be required to serve one flavour of ice cream? It felt unnecessarily rigid and out of touch with what should be a guest-oriented experience. In summary: What we loved - Enchanting location and stunning garden/park - Private and peaceful setting - Beautiful pool and panoramic terrace - Warm, professional service throughout What needs improvement - Poor breakfast value – limited offering despite “included” label - Extra charges for basic items - Very small dinner portions at extremely high prices - Lack of flexibility: even a scoop of ice cream is unavailable after 9:45 p.m. Would we return? For the scenery and serenity alone, perhaps. But only if pricing becomes more aligned with service and a bit more common sense is applied to guest comfort.