What if I told you that Tuscany wasn’t just Renaissance art and Florence? Or medieval towns like Sienna and San Gimignano? Or Chianti wine and rolling green hills? (Not that there’s anything wrong with the above.. actually, on the contrary!) But there’s a coastal part of this region that has slowly woven its way into my heart.
The Maremma Coast is made up of the Monte Argentario promontory and peninsula, resort towns like Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole and turquoise waters that will knock your socks off.
Amidst all this, sits the Argentario Golf Resort and Spa. An eco-friendly swanky design hotel boasting about 70 suites and villas, 18-hole golf course, luxurious day spa and a gourmet restaurant serving up the best of Maremman cuisine. The golf range also features the Clubhouse serving up casual bistro fare.
The best part about it all for me, is that it’s so easy to get to from Rome. A 1.5 hour train to Orbetello and then the resort sent a driver to pick me up (it’s a 10-15 minute drive & costs €35 one way).
So off I went on a hot Sunday in July for some pampering and relax time. Within no time I found myself in the peace and tranquility of this multi-acre piece of nature, sitting on a pretty decking with views of the golf course, feasting on my favourite – a club sandwich.
The lobby and public spaces here are all clean lines and full of things to look at – from the mood lighting, to the atrium you can’t help notice when you walk in. It brings in gorgeous natural light and with large windows throughout, the property has become a beautiful extension of the natural surroundings.
The rest of the resort is adorned with eclectic art and fun furnishings. Lots of different textiles and features, all feeding into a sleek and chic, modern design (by interior architect Andrea Fogli).
It was time to check in to my suite – a Travel Club Junior Suite. King bed, open living, a marble bath tub (plus a luxurious double shower), electronic curtains and plush furnishings from the lounge chairs to the lamp shades.
All this by 230pm. By which stage, I couldn’t resist a dip in the outdoor pool. The oval shaped centrepiece of the resort is serviced by a bar and deck chairs and was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Early evening, it was time for a massage. An 80 minute aromatherapy one at the Espace spa was just what the doctor ordered! I ended my Sunday with a delightful meal at the Dama Dama Restaurant just as the Tuscan sky turned pink and the sun set. A local from Argentario, chef Emiliano Lombardelli brings together the best of Maremma – from game to seafood. He prepared an Argentario pink prawn carpaccio with wild rice and a Maremmana beef tartare with burnt onion and Tuscia truffle.
You could say – all in a days work really.
Day two and three looked the same. Because a luxury resort experience for me, has only one routine: sleep in, pool, lunch, massage, dinner, repeat.
I first visited the Argentario Resort and Spa in 2016 and wrote about them Fodor’s (read it here). This second time, I loved it even more. I can’t promise there won’t be a third!
Signing off from Trastevere (daydreaming about life under the Tuscan sun)
Baci, Maria
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Argentario Golf Resort but nobody dictates what I write. All words and thoughts expressed are mine.
