Two charming hotels offer varying perspectives on the alluring Italian region of Tuscany, but with one thing in common—a culinary experience like no other
COMO CASTELLO DEL NERO
Chianti, Tuscany
There are places to which one yearns to return even after a single visit—or sometimes even when you’re still there. For Christina Ong, the founder of Como Hotels & Resorts, the historic Castello Del Nero must have left such an indelible impression (she stayed at the elegant Terrace Suite a few years back) that when the opportunity of acquiring it came about, she decided to make it part of her growing hospitality empire as the group’s first hotel in continental Europe.
It’s easy to understand why once you see the 12th-century castle with your own eyes. Weaving through the charming small town of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, you’re greeted by a stately entrance and symmetrical Italianate gardens that have been carefully tended to throughout the generations. The structured greenery frames the majestic architecture of both the towering castle and a church, a place that comes with nine centuries of rich Tuscan history.
Castello Del Nero was first built by the prominent Del Nero family (hence the name) and was passed on to another local family, the Torrigianis, in 1825. The structure and the grounds retain an aristocratic air, and its significance requires that restoration works be accredited by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities. In this incarnation, Como commissioned acclaimed Italian designer Paola Navone to reimagine the space, and she channelled her pared-back aesthetic in clever ways. The terracotta floors, original frescos and wooden touches remain, but she injected a fresh palette—whites, greys, light blues and muted greens dominate—resulting in a more contemporary appeal. While the world has been on hold with the pandemic, the property is set to reopen in March 2021 with a redesigned Como Shambala retreat also by Navone.
