fluffy

My best friend has asked me to help her plan her wedding in Tuscany.The wedding will be small(25 people).We are considering some of these options for the reception. Would love any comments and or suggestions for alternatives. We are looking a nice villa in a town that would make a good base for exploring Tuscany.
Here's the short list:
#1 choice Castello Spaltenna( Chianti)
Palazzo Ravizza& Relais Suvera( Siena)
Laconda Amorosa
Il Falconiere( Cortona) the restaurant sounds fab any other suggestions?
Thanks bunchs... Fluff

fluffy

P.S. The wedding will be Spring ( May, 06).
Fluff

Statia

Does she already have a consultant? If not, I can suggest one that was very helpful to me. Otherwise, I am not familiar with the areas you have noted.

cruisinred

Hi Fluff
Just to clarify, are you looking for a place just for the reception, or for the bridge/groom and guests to stay for a few days?

We had our wedding in Southern Tuscany 2 years ago and rented an entire castle/estate for a week. Our guests had a blast! I can give you the details for the property, if you are interested. We rented directly from the family that owned it, avoiding a rental agent and saving $.

About the options on your list, did you check tripadvisor.com? I have not stayed at those places, but I do recall seeing some rather poor reviews for Il Falconiere, but nice reviews for Laconda Amorosa.

europhile

Hello. I can only comment on Locanda Amorosa- we stayed there for 3 days at the end of May. I do remember thinking that it would be a great place for a wedding. The buildings (including the restaurant, wine bar and a small chapel!) are all situated around a central outdoor space with a beautiful setting- blooming flowers, a pretty stone well, wrought iron tables and cushioned chairs, and golf course quality green grass,all surrounded by the very attractive red-stone/brick tuscan-style buildings. I'll bet a wedding ceremony in the chapel and a reception outside in that central lawn area would be great. Also, the restaurant was top quality, and it would be very convenient to have on-site food and beverage service. There are enough rooms to house all the guests, and a nice pool area and grounds. While we did find it a little inconvient having to drive 20 minutes or so to get to the nearest towns we wanted to visit, we appreciated the calm oasis of the hotel grounds and were glad we did not stay in a city like Siena. It just depends on whether you want other sites within walking distance or whether you prefer a more quiet destination type hotel. I do highly recommend Amorosa. It would be hard to beat, I think (although I haven't visited the others).

pixypixy

I would be happy to help you as I have organized several in Tuscany (for fun)The place according to me would be in Chianti at Borgo San Fedele...

bobthenavigator

You have picked some nice hotels but you are right to consider location. I love Castello Spaltenna, but that location is not the best to explore Tuscany. Relais Suvera is not very close to Siena and is very isolated. Falconiere is very nice but too far east and barely in Tuscany. That leaves Locanda Amorosa which is always my first choice in Tuscany for a group event, unless you want to stay right in Siena--which has merit. Amorosa also has the advantage of easy access from both Florence and Rome--that is my choice.

Lewis

Hi
When we were in Tuscany a couple of years ago, we stayed at the Villa Il Patriarca in Chuisi, southern Tuscany.

We were there for 4 nights and there were 3 weddings while we were there.

The food is fantastic, 1* from Michelin,
they have a big hall, and nice grounds where they had the cocktails & hors d'ourvers, A/C, about 30 rooms and a pool. Right off the A1 autostrada.

Check it out on www.tuscany.net Good luck.

fluffy

Thanks everyone I knew I could count on you for some great advice.
Cruisinred-I would love any ifo. on the villa/castle you rented in Tuscany.That's exacly what we're thinking a lovely place for the group to stay and hopefully have the reception afterward.

Pixy- I checked out Borgo San Fedel.I am a bit confused , is it a church or Villa? Any info. would be helpful.

Lewis- Villa Patriaca look wounderful, just what we're looking for.Any other info. about the town and possibly churchs convient for the ceramony?

Bob and Euro-thanks for your comments on Amorosa... however it's very expensive.She's not cheap but it maybe out of reach. Any other suggestions?

Stasia- if you have the name of your consultant that would be great.Email and web would be fantastic.
Thanks again everyone
Fluffy

fluffy

Bob...
If we were to have the wedding & reception in Siena, where would you choose?
Thanks Fluff

Lewis

Hi Fluffy
The hotel is right between Chiusi and Cianciano Terme. We went to dinner in Chiusi at Zaira, which I also recommend, I didn't notice a church but, you gotta figure there is at least one there and maybe more in Cianciano Terme.

I'm not sure Lori is still there but, she is from Cleveland originally and speaks english. Lorris, the owner is a great guy, he speaks a little english and runs the restaurant.

We had such a wonderful stay, we bought the hotel flowers!! He gave us a bottle of 1997 Gran Riserva Brunello!

bobthenavigator

Look at www.villascacciapensieri.it just north of town or www.parkhotelsiena.it in town--good luck !

fluffy

Thanks everyone:
Lewis thanks for the info. I have contacted the hotel ( asked for Lori) thought they could give me info. on near by churchs.The hotel looks really fab. My friend is really excited...Will post an update when the palns are finalized.
Bob- thanks for your expertise...as always.Don't know if you remember , but you suggested Da' Raffel in Venice for my rehersal dinner.It was a grand success.
Thanks Fluff
p.s. Keep the suggestions coming.

cruisinred

Hi Fluffie-

The castle/estate we rented for our wedding was Palazzo di Piero in Sarteano, near Chiusi. The website is www.anfamtos.com. But the photos do not do the place justice. It is a gorgeous place,with a central courtyard, great pool with a view and its own chapel. If you are intersted I can email you a link to our pictures, so you can see it better. Also, the owners of the estate can help organize catering etc. for the wedding.

If your friend needs a great photographer, I can highly recommend www.weddingphotos.it.

fluffy

Cruiseinred:
Thanks for the info. I would love to see your photos.My email address is [email protected]
The villa looks really beautiful and my friend really likes the idea of it having it's own chapel. Did you have your ceramony there, how did you arrange it?
Thanks everyone... You're the best!
Fluff

fluffy

ttt

Statia

Sorry I'm a bit late in responding, fluffy, but I've been away since Friday. I can highly recommend Chandi at Sogni Italiani for consutling in the Tuscan area. She's an American living in Florence and is very knowledgable about planning and logistics.

You will find all the info you need at the following link.

http://sogniitaliani.com/

Good luck to your friend!