They had us at “bath under the stars”, to be honest. Every Friday and Saturday evening, as dusk descends over the beautiful rolling hills of Val d’Orcia, the lucky guests at hotel Posta Marcucci are cordially invited to submerge themselves in natural thermal pools under a twinkling, Tuscan harvest of stars. And while adjectives such as “tranquil”, “serene” and “romantic” probably can’t do justice to the experience, they’re definitely heading in the right direction. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Combining the charm of a historic Italian village with the luxury of a modern boutique hotel, Posta Marcucci is a near-hidden oasis, very much undiscovered and until now, passed over by UK reviewers and travel agents. In other words, get there quick, before everyone wakes up.
It was originally established in the 19th century by the Marcucci family as a pilgrim’s inn, a postal service and finally, in the 1950s, a hotel – coinciding with the discovery of hot springs that offer 49°C water: a unique feature enriching the small thermal oasis.
And much of its attraction lies in these immediate surrounds, a tiny town in a timeless region of central Italy, with thermal baths that date back to Roman times and a town square with a pool of natural thermal water that serves as the heart of the community.
Incidentally, the hotel’s owner Michil Costa is a big fan of community. Described as a “quiet revolutionist”, he advocates a holistic approach to hospitality through participation in movements like the Economy for the Common Good – its motto: “a good life for everyone on a healthy planet” – and his Costa Family Foundation, focused on principles such as human dignity, solidarity, transparency and ecological sustainability.
This hotel itself boasts no fewer than five natural thermal pools rich in minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc, set in tree-lined gardens overlooking the village of Rocca d’Orcia, and offering a unique therapeutic experience. Hydromassage tub, madam? Or a detox session in the Finnish and biosaline sauna? Perhaps the salt caves are more your thing? Or a classic Turkish bath. Whatever wellness variation you fancy, there’s a solution to your aches and pains here.
You could plump for the Find Yourself Again wellness day, where you have access to all the hydrotherapy areas, thermal pools, sauna, relaxation area and lush gardens, topped off with a personalised 25-minute face or body massage and a smoothie of your choice all for just €96 (around £80) per person.
You don’t have to be staying at the hotel either – you can stop off from your idyllic Tuscan road trip and buy a day ticket to use the pools and spa.
Then there’s the exquisite cuisine led by award-winning chef Matteo Antoniello, whose dishes, such as seared scallops with squid ink sauce, lobster spaghetti in rich bisque or handmade pici pasta with fresh scallops, are to die for. The restaurant’s pretty dazzling too – enhanced by expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering truly panoramic vistas; stunning gardens and cypress trees, and further afield, vineyards and olive groves. There’s some gentle hiking to be had in those far hills.
To really get your lounge on, try the cocktail bar, enlivened with the sound of vintage vinyl, and where mixologist Alessio Crovella magics up drinks such as the St Germain Spritz with Franciacorta, lime and mint.
‘Being a hotelier is not just a tour into hospitality, it is a tour into the root of humanity,’ says Costa (something of a philosopher too). There’s no greater place to discover the better angels of your nature than among this gorgeous secret haven.
Lysanne Currie is editor in chief of Meet the Leader. She also writes for Robb Report, Diplomat, Guardian, Influence, Tempus and Investor
