Hilltop house in the heart of Tuscany with private pool
This 'home' in Tuscany is a carefully restored and enlarged farm building dating back to the 18th century. Its hilltop setting between olive groves and wheat fields, just 1.5km outside historic Montisi, gives it a unique 'away-from-it-all feeling'. Yet the hamlet's bakery, grocery shop, bar/tabac and restaurants are just a leisurely 15 min stroll away between cypresses and olive trees. Views are stunning, with the area around the private pool particularly good for enjoying sunsets. This is not a 'develop to let' property, but a house that for seven years served as a 'home' when the owners were posted overseas and is now their holiday home. It is arranged over three floors; - The top floor comprises a double bed room with en suite bathroom - The first floor mirrors the top floor, except that it is laid out as a twin bedroom, with en suite shower/bathroom - The ground floor offers fantastic views over the rolling country side and includes a 25 X 12 ft living room with a well stocked library and fireplace, as well as a fully equipped kitchen with a beautiful breakfast terrace.
Property manager
Catherine Niessen
Premier Host
Languages
Dutch, English, French, German, Italian
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
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We expect that guests treat our home and its content with respect and care and leave it much as they found it so that others too can enjoy it.
For detail please refer to rental agreement enclosed.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Property Registration Number IT052037B4AHTVAZ6Y
We should mention
All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Montalcino
Located in Montalcino, this villa is in a rural area. Palazzo Piccolomini and Historic Centre of Pienza are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Valdichiana Outlet Village and Piazza Italia. Bosco della Ragnaia and RI Crea RE are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking, hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Montisi, Siena
What's nearby
Monastery of Sant'Anna in Camprena - 11 min drive - 6.4 km
Bosco della Ragnaia - 11 min drive - 9.3 km
Pienza Cathedral - 18 min drive - 15.0 km
Historic Centre of Pienza - 18 min drive - 15.0 km
Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey - 21 min drive - 18.2 km
Getting around
Sinalunga Rigomagno Station - 24 min drive
Restaurants
Ristorante Il Conte Matto - 9 min drive
Brasseria della Fonte - 17 min drive
Bar La Tranquilla - 23 min drive
Osteria delle Crete - 10 min drive
Ristorante Agriturismo da Thaby - 16 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Hilltop house in the heart of Tuscany with private pool have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
Is Hilltop house in the heart of Tuscany with private pool pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Hilltop house in the heart of Tuscany with private pool?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Hilltop house in the heart of Tuscany with private pool?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Hilltop house in the heart of Tuscany with private pool located?
Situated in a rural location, this villa is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Val di Chiana and within 6 miles (10 km) of The Saints Peter and Andrew Church and Monastery of Sant'Anna in Camprena. San Giovanni d'Asso Station and Museo del Tartufo are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a wonderful stay, the location was perfect for a short 15 minute walk into Montisi. The countryside setting was lovely and peaceful. We enjoyed being surrounded by beautiful nature, watching the deer every evening was delightful. We hope to return in the future.
A beautiful, stylish and well equipped property in a great location. Lovely pool and grounds offering amazing panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Shawn M.
28 Sept, 2017
Very relaxing. Good jumping off point for many locations
The place had everything you need. Pool was very nice. Great views. The walk in to the center of town was about a mile, but had a few nice restaurants.
Our second stay which says it all! Lovely house, well equipped, super pool and eating on the terrace every day with a glorious view made it a joy. Delightful helpful owner and local man and cleaner. Many lovely restaurants and places to visit a short drive away. Highly recommended!
The Villa is a beautiful home with magnificent views. We visited 12 Hill Towns all within a short drive. Adi the property manager went out of his way to see everything went smoothly. Weather was hot so the pool was wonderful after a day of site seeing
The property exceeded our (high) expectations. The location is spectacular and the house exactly what we were after: quiet, private, with a view and a pool. Montisi is a great village full of friendly people. I’d love to come back for longer.
We truly loved our stay at this very charming tower villa with amazing views. We enjoyed the privacy, the birds chirping, pheasant flying, and the Tuscan breeze. I would highly recommend.
Picture postcard private Villa set in gorgeous grounds and on the doorstep of many of the famous sights of Tuscany.
Check in was smooth and communication with Catherine was easy.
Highly recommend.
Property, gardens, pool, location, aspect, facilities, decor, reading material, info. provided, property manager etc. etc. All perfetto.
Just needs a couple of comfy (but tasteful of course) outdoor chairs to get the full sunset and Brunello experience.
Montisi is a beautiful, small hilltop town with almost no tourists. We love being away from the Tuscan crowds of the bigger cities. Yet we were only 30-40 minutes away from all the sights. The property is unique, but comfortable. The manager is friendly and very helpful.
My family and I had such a lovely week staying in Montisi taking in the views and exploring the surrounding towns and villages. We took our 6 month old baby with us and before booking the owner did explain that the property is far from baby proof (steep stone steps everywhere), but thankfully our daughter wasn’t able to crawl so we didn’t have any issues. I can’t quite stress enough how stunning the views are both from the patio at the Villa (where we had our breakfast every day) and when driving through the rolling hills in the surrounding area. It felt like something from a film; we were taken away with how beautiful it was.
Highly recommend this villa, it’s clear to see this is a very much loved property by the owners and we were lucky to be able to stay!
We absolutely loved our stay here. The villa has such character (it’s exactly as in the photos) with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. And the location is perfect for exploring all the hill top villages. The local village Montisi is the perfect size - with all that we needed, without the tourists - and the locals were very friendly. Catherine is an awesome host, sending loads of helpful information prior as well as checking in on us during our stay. Although the weather wasn’t as warm as normal for May it was perfect for our adventures and we will return in summer to make use of the pool!! We would definitely recommend this villa and Catherine as a host and we look forward to returning sometime soon.
We had an excellent stay in this beautiful property in Montisi. The view from the terrace is really beautiful! We enjoyed the silence, you can completely relax. The house has everything you need to make it a pleasant stay. We were truly blown away by the charm of this lovely home. Montisi is the ideal base to discover this beautiful region. It's really enjoyable. Communication with Catherine was excellent and also with Adi, who was waiting for us on arrival. This holiday home is highly recommended.
This house is amazing. The views are incredible, the best we had in Tuscany. The house is cozy, the,
We arrived and were greeted by the caretaker who explained all we needed to know. Staying in This quaint and comfortable home with allowed us a chance to relax by the pool, make dinners and have a glass of wine while taking in the incredible views. There are also great restaurants nearby, lovely Italian towns and many wineries to visit. There’s a washer and dryer, well equipped kitchen, an extra refrigerator and freezer, and all the comforts of home. I loved waking up to a window with an astounding view of the surrounding countryside, olive groves, and Italian cypress trees.
What a beautiful spot! The sunsets from this property are spectacular. The villa is well appointed with comfortable beds and sofas and plenty of space to sunbathe or sit in the shade and relax. The pool is long enough to have a good swim and there are lots of sun loungers around and a hammock to sunbathe. The house has lots of fab books should you run out of materials! It’s only 20 mins on foot to the village with two bars and 3/4 restaurants to choose from. All very high quality. Beautiful area with plenty on hill top villages and towns to explore. Catherine, the owner is very informative and communicates promptly and Adi, the local friendly manager is on hand should you need anything. I fully recommend this property for a ‘get away from it all’ holiday.
Wow! Such a beautiful property with absolutely mesmerising views.
We absolutely loved our holiday here, the perfect place to celebrate my 50th, milestone birthday!
We loved the wonderful bedroom on the top floor, cooking in the quaint kitchen, bbq'ing and eating al fresco on the beautiful terrace and veranda, playing table tennis, relaxing in the wonderful pool, we even brought lilo's at the local supermarket and spent afternoons bobbing around, enjoying the wonderful weather.
The house was well equipped, all the basics for cooking, coffee, tea etc, even a nespresso machine and a lovely, much appreciated welcome basket!
The local village is really friendly and Il Barino''s is a must for a delicious, long, relaxed lunch / dinner - fantastic!
We came here for a much needed break and found a piece of paradise. The local bee-eater birds and their vibrant colours were incredible, the sunrises and sunsets out of this world.
We highly recommend this property, absolutely wonderful!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your very comfortable home just outside the village of Montisi. The views were breathtaking and hard to leave. We enjoyed our coffee on the terrace every morning and slept like babes in the quiet! We visited many of the nearby villages and especially enjoyed a delicious dinner at Fattoria La Romita. We loved getting to know the folks at Portofranco and they had excellent wine recommendations! The house provided everything we needed and we thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of our stay there. It was too cool for dips in the pool but we could imagine how nice it would be. We did visit the thermal springs in Bagno Vignoni and treated ourselves to a half day at Posta Marcucci.
The poppies were in bloom along with all the scotchbroom. The olive trees were amazing! I could go on and on and hope that one day we can return! Thank you for sharing your home with us!
Jane H.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Nancy B., Houston, TX
20 Apr, 2018
Quaint home with beautiful views!
My husband and I stayed at La Cella in mid April and absolutely loved our time there! Adi, the house manager already had the heat on when we arrived. He met us there and explained everything to us. The home is beautiful and had everything we needed. The kitchen had everything including a coffee maker, juicer and a dishwasher. There was even an extra fridge in the laundry room. We spent most of our time on the back porch staring at the beautiful green hills, or watching the deer or the sheep roaming in the field below. It was so quiet there we slept great at night. And the king size bed was so comfortable! Catherine was great and responsive and sent us all our information for directions and check-in the week before our arrival. We enjoyed Montisi as well, it was about a mile drive into town. We ate at 2 of the 4 restaurants in town. We ate twice at Il Barrino and 3 times at Ritorno di Fiamma Bistro. Both restaurants had excellent food and service! We searched for weeks for the perfect place for our vacation and are so glad we found this home! We would definitely come back!
Nancy B.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2018
10/10 Excellent
Therese K., St. George Island, Florida
19 Apr, 2019
Glorious Tuscany Visit at La Cella
La Cella in the delightful village of Montisi was the perfect base for our immersion into the beauty and culture of Tuscany. We took day trips to Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, San Giovanni d’ Asso, Trequanda, and Bagno Vignoni. We experienced lovely vistas, lots of history, wonderful wine, and delicious food, but always welcomed returning to our peaceful homebase to watch the big white dogs herding the sheep on the hillside. La Cella’s house manager Adi was very kind and helpful with making restaurant reservations and getting the temperamental internet connection up and running. We planned to do laundry here at the mid-point in our Italy trip, but the clothes dryer was not working and it was too cool and potentially drizzly to trust the clothesline. Fortunately our investment in gas for the heating system not only made for cozy evenings, but also helped dry our clothes. We especially enjoyed dinner with Gianlucca at Il Barrino in Montisi, walking to the church in Montisi on Palm Sunday morning, lunch at Osteria del Conte and wine tasting with Adamo at Contucci Cantina in Montepulciano, and the springs at Bagno Vignoni. It was a wonderful stay in a beautiful area, with a very homey and comfortable base at La Cella.
Our stay was wonderful. So beautiful and idyllic!
Pros: helpful host who answered all communications, gorgeous setting and amenities (pool, ping pong table, outdoor dining), washer/dryer, overflow refrigerator, linens, etc. Lovely village with wonderful people! We took a cooking class -great!
Things to know b/c I like to read reviews that add details:
The directions to the house are detailed, but were confusing for us at first. Adi, the caretaker, helped us. Cell service can be spotty though, especially in the village of Montisi.
It got a little warm at night, but they have oscillating fans to help. Sleeping with the windows open was lovely.
You will be charged for using gas for heating (and you will have to pay tourist tax). The fees were nominal, but are to be paid in cash. Make sure you have cash at departure so you can leave it. Not a complaint, just a heads up!
There are bugs. In late August there were flies and mosquitos. We bought some citronella candles and spray at the grocery store and it wasn't a huge problem. On breezy nights, no problem at all! :)
The decor of the house is eclectic, rustic, & has a great vibe. Some of the furnishings are a bit vintage/worn, but overall the aesthetic is nice. Lots of books to read too!
Do not let these 'reminders' deter you. You will feel like a character in a movie when you stay here. It's romantic, charming, and lovely.
We definitely want to return and bring family-it's a house that's meant to be shared!
Macy L.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024
About the host
Hosted by Catherine Niessen
I'm Catherine, I live in the UK, and have spent much of my life in and around Italy and all things Italian
Why they chose this property
Steeped in tradition, all the good things in life. You can do as much or as little as you wish, its bliss
What makes this property unique
Uninterrupted views of the Crete Senese and looking to the towers in Siena 40kms away. No light pollution, night skies filled with an abundance of stars. We are at the end of a one km white road, flanked by olive trees, an oasis of calm yet a 20 minute walk to the heart of Montisi to drink a coffee at the bar or enjoy a fabulous dinner in the centre of town
Languages:
English, French, German, Italian, Dutch
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests