Villa Zelia

About this property

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Villa Zelia is a stunning retreat, winery, and spa, ensuring up to 26 guests across 13 bedrooms can enjoy the utmost of Tuscan hospitality and elegance. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and enchanting woods, Villa Zelia is ideal for groups of friends, family reunions, events, and those simply seeking relaxation and sensory adventure.

Upon entering the villa's grounds, guests are greeted by the typical (but no less spectacular) Tuscan sight of silver-green olive groves and vineyards running away like swathes of green corduroy. The villa itself, a testament to traditional Tuscan architecture, boasts stone and wooden beams, large spaces, and a rustic décor that draws you into the history and pastimes of this beautiful region.

Stepping into Villa Zelia, guests will find a spacious living and dining area where you can relax in deep Chesterfield sofas or sit by large windows looking out onto the lush greenery and enjoy the restaurant's delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner service. Thanks to the Le Buche winery being on site, dishes are paired with wines produced from the vines you're looking at. It's hard to find a better local taste of Tuscany than that!

When it comes to the rooms, there is no shortage of comfort and traditional charm. Each room has terracotta floors, wooden-beamed ceilings, and rustic furnishings, taking its name from timeless grape varietals. The rooms come in a wide variety, from Pugnitello with its king-sized bed and private terrace to Tempore with its ensuite marble bathroom with a walk-in shower. Other rooms feature extra sleeping arrangements, such as sofa beds, if numbers are a priority. Nevertheless, thanks to a range of rooms of various sizes and amenities, there is something to suit every guest's needs.

Regarding guests' needs, the onsite spa has a massage room, relaxation and herbal tea room, hydromassages, a heated swimming pool with counter-current swimming, emotional showers, a Turkish bath, and a Finnish sauna. And if you like to balance out your relaxation with some exercise, fear not. There's also a fabulous fitness room complete with standing bikes and weights.

Stepping outside into the lush gardens, a sumptuous swimming pool awaits, surrounded by a travertine terrace brimming with sun loungers and shady pergolas. The panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside provide a breathtaking backdrop for leisurely afternoons spent sipping local wines and basking in the warm Mediterranean sun.

This 13-bedroom villa is not just a holiday destination; it's an enchanting retreat that promises an authentic Tuscan experience, where comfort, style, and the beauty of the surroundings converge to create cherished memories for you and your guests.

First and foremost, Villa Zelia's own winery and cellar are the perfect place to start your adventure in the Sienese hills. Producing wines in the finest Tuscan traditions, with a bit of modern innovation, too, the cellar is the perfect spot to become accustomed to the region's rich history of winemaking.

The nearby town of Sarteano (12-minute drive) is a picturesque castle-peaked village atop a hill. The castle itself is worth a visit and not too demanding a stroll. Guided tours are a great way of understanding the region's history and the castle's significance. Still, equally, the castle is now used for art exhibitions, so you can walk across the drawbridge to take in whatever is currently on display. And if all those adventures into history get your appetite going, why not sit at Ristorante Santa Chiara, a beautiful, gardened restaurant housed in a converted convent.

The region surrounding Villa Zelia is known for its numerous Etruscan necropolis, and the town of Sarteano boasts a spectacular example, the Tomb of the Infernal Quadriga, which was only discovered in 2003 (one of the most significant Etruscan discoveries in decades). The town boasts several other interesting sights, including the Arrischianti Theatre dating back to 1680, and fantastic artesian shops, including Ceramiche Il Volo, where a local ceramicist creates marvellous household objects such as pitchers, lamps and even ceramic jewels.

The medieval city of Siena (60-minute drive) is remarkable and worth visiting. Despite its incredible history, tall towers, breathtaking cathedral and grand piazza, Siena is relatively small and easy to get around. The Torre del Mangia is likely the first thing you'll notice in the Piazza del Campo, thanks to its historic height (when constructed, it was the tallest tower in modern-day Italy). Despite its height, it's relatively easy to scale, and the views from the top are unbeatable. With a host of other incredible sights, including the Basilica Cateriniana, the palatial Piccolomini Library, and the Duomo, there are treasures everywhere you look in Siena.

The city of Arezzo (50-minute scenic drive) is similarly steeped in history, so much so that it was one of the significant Etruscan Lucumonies before it became a strategic Roman centre and a vital part of the Grand Duchy of the Medici family. If you visit on the first Sunday of the month, you'll be treated to one of the oldest Antiques Fairs in Italy, which populates the city's main square with over 500 stalls. The Piazza Grande is a must-see regardless, especially the stunning Palazzo delle Logge designed by Giorgio Vasari. Vasari fans will undoubtedly want to take advantage of a visit to Giorgio Vasari's home, decorated with frescoes and tempera paintings by Vasari himself. This is a time capsule of art history! And if such treasures of art history tickle your fancy, why not also check out the Cathedral of Santi Donato e Pietro, which boasts a baptismal font relief sculpted by Donatello? 

Accommodation

Villa Interiors (1080m2)
Main Villa (sleeps 16)
Ground Floor (can be accessed via elevator)
- Large 3-level living room with sofas, armchairs and fireplace
- Professional kitchen well-equipped 
- Dining area with access to garden and pool 
- Guest WC 
- Bedroom accessed from the outside only, with a double bed and ensuite bathroom with shower suited for those with disabilities
First Floor (can be accessed via elevator)
- x 6 Bedrooms with double beds and ensuite bathrooms with a shower 
Second Floor (tower)
- Bedroom with double bed and ensuite bathroom with shower 
Basement
- Wellness centre with relaxation area and spa area with 3 sensory showers, a Finnish sauna, steam room and hot tub (on request and open 3 p.m - 7 p.m)
- Fitness area with 3 Technogym machines (exercise bike, elliptical machine, weight machine), yoga mats and gym balls
Annexe (sleeps 10)
Ground Floor
- x 4 Bedrooms accessed from the outside only, with double beds and ensuite bathrooms with a shower 
- Bedroom accessed from the outside only, with a double bed and ensuite 
Outside Grounds (4000m2)
- Private heated swimming pool (15m x 5m, max depth: 1.5m) 
- Sun loungers, deck chairs and parasols
- Terrace
- Terrace furniture and outdoor dining area 
- Patios 
- Garden 
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- Smart and Satellite TV
- Iron and ironing board 
- Mosquito nets
- Fitness area
- Spa area (on request) 
- Winery