Villa Gauggiole, Castiglion del Bosco
A new symbol of European luxury has emerged in the heart of Tuscany. The Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Hotel, has been named the best resort in Europe by Travel + Leisure magazine. It received a score of 99.58 out of 100 in the annual World’s Best Awards, in which approximately 207,000 readers of the publication participated.
The hotel is located on a historic estate with a 900-year history, Euronews notes. The approximately 5,000-acre estate includes vineyards, forests, historic buildings, and its own golf course—the only private golf club in Italy.
Castiglion del Bosco offers guests 42 suites and 11 private villas, many of which have their own pools. The main infinity pool offers views of the Tuscan hills, the town of Montalcino, and the Val d’Orcia valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The hotel’s restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars and focuses on local ingredients. In addition, guests can visit the more casual Osteria La Canonica or spend an evening by the pool at the Pool Bar.
Second place in the European rankings went to the Swiss resort Six Senses Crans-Montana. This Alpine chalet-style resort offers direct access to the ski slopes, views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, and a large spa complex with pools and relaxation areas.
Third place went to Il Sereno Lago di Como on the shores of Lake Como. The hotel consists entirely of suites, has its own dock, and features a pool that appears to hover over the water. Its restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago, has been awarded a Michelin star.
The top five also included Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid and the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento—a historic family-run hotel overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.
A total of 12 European properties made it onto Travel + Leisure’s global list of the top 100 hotels. In addition to Italy, the ranking includes properties from France, the United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey.
And the award named Japan’s Patina Osaka as the world’s top hotel. It was recognized for its panoramic views of Osaka Castle and its expansive 1,400-square-meter wellness center.
Europe’s best hotels according to the World’s Best Awards:
- Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Hotel, Montalcino, Italy
- Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Il Sereno Lago di Como, Torno, Italy
- Rosewood Villa Magna, Madrid, Spain
- Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy
- Mandarin Oriental, Paris, France
- Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection, Florence, Italy
- The Stafford London, United Kingdom
- The Dolli at Acropolis, Athens, Greece
- Canaves Epitome, Santorini, Greece
- The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, Turkey
- Le Bristol Paris, France
