Relais Il Falconiere

Relais Il Falconiere, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Cortona, Italy, offers a quintessential Tuscan luxury experience, earning its prestigious Michelin Key selection. This meticulously restored 17th-century villa, owned by the Baracchi family for generations, is consistently praised for its captivating ambiance, world-class dining, and exceptional hospitality.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Relais Il Falconiere generally garners outstanding reviews, with guests frequently describing it as a "beautiful, magical place" and a "dreamy Tuscan vacation." It boasts an impressive 8.9 overall rating on Agoda and a "Wonderful" 9.0 rating on Booking.com. Guests often express a strong desire to return, highlighting the hotel's ability to provide an unforgettable and relaxing escape.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Relais Il Falconiere:

• Stunning Location & Views: The hotel is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside and Cortona.
• Michelin-Starred Restaurant: The onsite "Il Falconiere" restaurant, led by Chef Silvia Baracchi, is a major draw, renowned for its exquisite Tuscan cuisine and extensive wine selection, including those produced from the Baracchi family's own vineyards.
• Exceptional Service & Hospitality: The staff consistently receives accolades for being genuinely friendly, attentive, and going above and beyond to make guests feel at home.
• Luxurious Amenities: The property features two panoramic swimming pools, a prestigious Thesan Etruscan Spa offering a range of treatments, and curated experiences like wine tours and cooking classes.
• Charming Design: The hotel beautifully blends traditional Italian aesthetics with modern comforts, featuring antique furnishings, frescoed walls, and elegant textiles.

3. Room Quality

The 31 rooms, suites, and villas at Relais Il Falconiere are spread across the estate, including the main villa, smaller stone houses, and vineyard villas, ensuring maximum privacy and serenity. Each is elegantly furnished in a perfect Tuscan style, often with antique furnishings, some with terra cotta floors or four-poster beds. Rooms are described as comfortable, modern in function, and designed with attention to every detail.

Room types vary, from Classic Rooms (25 sqm) with king beds and Tuscan decor, to Deluxe Rooms (30 sqm), and more expansive Junior Suites (40 sqm) and Suites (55 sqm) which often include relaxation areas, separate living rooms, and large marble bathrooms, some with private patios or gardens. The exclusive Winery Master Suite offers a private residence feel with multiple bedrooms, living areas, and terraces overlooking vineyards. Standard amenities include private bathrooms, air conditioning, safes, Nespresso coffee machines, minibars, TVs, luxury toiletries, slippers, bathrobes, and Wi-Fi.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Relais Il Falconiere is a significant highlight, centered around its Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Falconiere. Chef Silvia Baracchi's cuisine is deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition, utilizing top-quality organic ingredients often sourced from the estate's own gardens and local producers. Guests can enjoy inventive and elaborate menus, with options for à la carte or seasonal tasting menus. The restaurant, housed in a former lemon house and conservatory, offers elegant interiors and a panoramic terrace for al fresco dining with stunning views.

Breakfast is consistently praised as "excellent with great nice selection" and "of the highest standard," often served as a buffet with a variety of charcuterie, yogurt, freshly baked bread, pastries, and fruit, along with à la carte options. The property also boasts its own winery, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy award-winning Baracchi wines with their meals and through wine tours and tastings.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Relais Il Falconiere is frequently described as exceptional, attentive, and genuinely friendly. Many guests highlight the staff's dedication to making them feel valued and at home. The owners, Silvia and Benedetto Baracchi, are noted for personally welcoming and caring for guests. Guests appreciate the personal touches, such as Riccardo Baracchi's intimate wine cellar tours and Silvia Baracchi's cooking classes.

6. Location & Accessibility

Relais Il Falconiere is situated in a rural location just outside Cortona, approximately 1.6 miles (3 km) from the historic center. This provides a tranquil setting amidst olive groves and vineyards while still offering relatively easy access to the charming medieval town. Free on-site parking is available, and shuttle service can be arranged. While a car is often recommended for exploring the wider Tuscan region, Cortona is a short taxi ride away or a manageable, albeit uphill, walk. The hotel's privileged position allows guests to easily explore both Tuscany and Umbria, with attractions like Lake Trasimeno nearby.

7. Value & Pricing

Relais Il Falconiere is a luxury 5-star property, and its pricing reflects this. While the average price per room is around $563, which is higher than the average for Cortona, guests often find the value received to be unparalleled. Rates can vary significantly, ranging from approximately $378 to over $1000 per night, depending on the room type and season. Many guests consider it worth the cost for the immersive luxury, world-class service, and stunning surroundings.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Noisy or Ineffective Air Conditioning: Some guests have reported the air conditioning being old, noisy, or not very effective, leading to warm nights.
• Spotty Wi-Fi during storms: While generally good, the Wi-Fi connectivity can be unreliable during adverse weather conditions.
• Narrow Driveway and Steps: The hillside location, while offering beautiful views, can mean narrow driveways and a number of steps around the property, which might be a consideration for some guests.
• Restaurant Pricing (Subjective): One review mentioned the Michelin restaurant being overpriced with some dishes lacking seasoning, though this is a less common complaint and often contrasted by numerous positive dining reviews.
• Lack of Gym: A single review mentioned the absence of a gym, which might be a factor for some active travelers.

Sources

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