Castello di Fonterutoli — Hotel in Castellina in Chianti

We arrived about 1:30 July 21st and when we went to the reception, we were rather sharply told we couldn't check in so soon. "No worries," we replied and then went to get lunch at the pub. The lunch was good and then it was check-in time. The man took me to our Ottone Junior Suite. It was down the hill and up 24 very steep steps (which were in complete darkness at night). He showed me which key went to which of the three locks and showed me the suite. To get to our suite, you had to walk up the stairs, enter what looked like someone's partially decorated living room and into our unit. I was shocked how the room looked nothing like the photos online and how the unit was about 95 degrees.We first walked past the bathroom, so small there is no where to set a toothbrush, then into the living room with a sofa that looked to be 30 years old. There was no TV anywhere in the unit, nor is there a safe. Beyond that there was a bedroom that contained a bed with linens that appeared to be from the 1970's. I went downstairs with the staff person who then just walked off without a word. The man also didn't offer to help us with luggage, so my husband schlepped the four bags up the 24 stairs himself.

Unlike the photos of the Junior Suite online, our room looked directly at another building. Because it was SO hot in the room we had to keep the shutters closed, so actually we couldn't see anything anyway.

We went to dinner at their restaurant, which was a lovely venue with good food. This was the only pleasant part of our Castello di Fonterutoli experience!

Because we couldn't endure the lack of air conditioning at the hotel (it was a period of excessive high temps), and general poor condition of the room, we left after the first night. When I went to check out, the man said, "but you are not scheduled to depart for two more nights." I said, "yes that is correct, but we are unhappy." The man didn't inquire about why we were unhappy, or what they could do to make it better for us. That interchange was typical of all of the interaction we had with the disinterested front desk staff.

The hotel was non-refundable, but it was SO bad, that it was worth going to another hotel at a last-minute high rate, and losing the two nights we had already paid for at Castello di Fonterutoli. In fact, this was the worst over-all hotel experience we have ever had, anywhere! Terrible facility,...

Exceeded expectations after seeing a handful of negative reviews. We were staying in Forterutoli for one night on our way from Florence to Maremma mountain region and specifically chose it as a place to enjoy a wine-centric 24 hours as part of my partner's 30th Birthday trip.

The village is tiny, quiet and beautiful. We arrived early and had the 'tapas' part of our 'wine and tapas tour' booked for 12:30 prior to checking into our room and heading to the Winery for the tour at 5pm. There was a little confusion over our 12:30 booking at the wine bar which we think was due a different couple arriving and taking our slot, but after a discussion with the help of the check in staff, we were accommodated and had a lovely lunch. The wine bar staff were really apologetic (unnecessarily) and kind.

We were unexpectedly upgraded to a Junior Suite (also unnecessary and seemingly random as we had not mentioned the occasion for our trip) and this was a real treat. The suite was palatial and beautifully designed. We were told it was the newest suite.

The wine tour was brilliant. The history of the Mazzei family is interesting and the guide was very passionate and knowledgable and did a great job of fostering a discussion between our really international group - there were around four other couples including us.

Dinner as the Osteria was really special. Excellent service, food, advice from the sommelier. We dined at Michelin starred restaurants on other occasions during our trip and the service was equally attentive.

Lastly, the wine produced by Mazzei is unquestionable excellent! If you visit for great wine alone (and a very broad price range), you will be very pleased.

Location wise we had a car and on our way to and from Castello di Fonterutoli visited a handful of really lovely wineries and tasting rooms within a 15...

I booked a junior suite and was disappointed in my room. It was an attic with small windows and was very dark. Nothing like the photos of the suites in pictures with beautiful views from big windows. My husband literally had to duck through doorways. If you book a suite make sure you do not get the Ottone suite. I went to checkout the evening before we left because office does not open until 9 am. The woman told me that she was in the middle of something and that I needed to wait. So I waited and when she was ready to do checkout she asked about my visit. I said that I was disappointed in my room and showed them the photo of husband in the doorway and in the room ducking so he could walk through doorways and into bedroom and she said that I should request a different room next time. Funny! I thought I was booking a nice suite based on photos and not an attic with incredibly low ceilings, no light and tiny windows. We call this Bait & Switch!! —note that my stars on service are not for the bar and restaurant staff. They were great!!!! the winery and both restaurants are fantastic The staff in the restaurants and winery are great!!!! +++ I would stay here again because the winery is great and the restaurant staff is amazing but apparently when booking a suite or any room you have to request a nice room suite or you will be shoved in an attic space :) +++ If I had a nice room similar to the photos (the rooms in the photos had big windows and light) my rating might have been higher overall. Location, winery tour, restaurants and restaurant staff are 5 stars! Bar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Restaurant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Winery & tour ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I did not get anything like the pictures of the room that I booked and paid for 😞 Google would not allow me to post the pictures of the room...