It’s no exaggeration to say I have spent days trawling the internet to find the best places to stay in Tuscany with kids. We are travelling in the May half term (which I’ve now learned is one of the most popular times to visit Italy) and so are up against limited availability, minimum stays, no child policies and, quite frankly, exorbitantly high prices for sub-par accommodation.
But wait, there is hope. It may have taken hours (and the reading of some rather bizarre TripAdvisor reviews) but I have now found so many incredible places to stay in Tuscany that I can’t decide which places to book.
So, for anyone planning a family trip to Tuscany, I thought I would share my finds, to not only help you plan your trips but maybe you can give me some direction on where we should pick too!
I’ve loosely ordered this shortlist according to price, starting with the most luxurious and ending with the budget bargains. I discounted anywhere that was more than 500 EUR per night in May because we want to be able to eat!
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. All images are courtesy of the properties or via booking.com.
Best places to stay in Tuscany with kids
Borgo Vescine
This beautiful borgo strikes the balance between an authentic Tuscan experience and 5* luxury. The traditional rooms look both timeless and cosy and the heated pool with views of Chianti would be absolute bliss on a warm spring day.
At approx. 500 Euros per night in May for a family of 3 it’s the most expensive option on my list but ticks all the boxes for a quintessential stay in Tuscany. It also comes highly recommended from a follower on Instagram who had the dreamiest stay here.
Precise Poggio Alla Sala
Brand new as of June 2023, this hotel has the most beautifully designed rooms in all of Tuscany. (According to me anyway!) Stylishly furnished in a modern rustic design that tells a story about the surroundings, this hotel is 100% me.
Situated 20 minutes from medieval Montepulciano, I am concerned this hotel is a little too tucked away for our May road trip, but I’ve got it bookmarked because the 4 pools (1 adults only), spa and kids club make it the perfect retreat for a family holiday in Tuscany.
From £300 per night for a classic studio.
Salvadonica
40 minutes outside Florence is Salvadonica, a traditional borgo with modern minimalistic rooms.
Boasting not only an enviable location, Salvadonica rates highly for its well-priced restaurant and private wine tastings.
The only thing holding me back from booking here is that rooms are assigned upon check in so you can’t lock in the best views, natural lighting etc upon booking, which is something I’m usually very eager about.
Rooms here are also around £300 a night in May.
Tuscany Forever
The perfect place to stay with sociable kids, Tuscany Forever is a boutique resort made up of stone villas and apartments that share 3 pools (including a lazy river), playground, tennis courts and the most incredible views of rolling hills.
Featuring mid-century modern interiors and private terraces, the accommodation ranges from 1-bedroom apartments to 5-bedroom villas, making it a great choice for holidaying with groups of friends and wider family.
I love that they also have an on-site restaurant for evenings you can’t be bothered to cook and the location is perfect for exploring some of Tuscany’s most beautiful towns including Volterra, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.
It’s really well priced too. 2-bedroom apartments are around 150 EUR per night in May.
So what’s the downside you may ask? Well, it turns out they are booked out for a private event on the exact dates we are in Tuscany. So get your bookings in quick if this sounds like the one for you.
(Recommended by Suzi @thefamilytravelblog who made this reel about her stay.)
Poggio Ai Gelsi
The only place on this list I had no reservations about locking in as soon as I found it is this farmhouse near Pienza with the most incredible views of the Val D’Orcia.
You guys know I’m a sucker for a jaw-dropping view and when I saw this poggio had fabulous reviews and didn’t cost the earth I quickly booked it.
We’ll be staying in a 2-bedroom house that doesn’t have the most stylish interiors but we plan to be spending most of our time on the private terrace or staring out the windows!
Found just outside Pienza, Poggio Ai Gelsi is located in one of the most picturesque parts of Tuscany with cypress-lined roads and rolling Tuscan hills as far as the eye can see. I can’t wait to explore it.
Holiday homes from £100 per night.
Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza
I also found this amazing pool with a view at a former convent in central Pienza. The interiors are very old fashioned but this hotel could be great for a short stay, especially as rooms are around only £80 per night even in peak season.
Beautiful B&Bs in Tuscany
I wanted to share a couple of beautiful B&B’s outside Florence offering rustic Tuscan experiences and delicious cake-filled breakfasts.
The first is Valdirose, a charming family run B&B that offers a slow living experience accented with antique furniture, fresh flowers and cosy linens.
Run by cook book author Irene Berni, almost every review mentions the incredible breakfast in her sun-dappled conservatory.
Just a 20-minute train ride from Florence, I think this would be perfect for a city break where you can get away from the crowds at the end of the day.
(Recommended to me by @laurasnextstop who shared these gorgeous pictures of her stay there in 2022.)
Another affordable B&B where I’d like to stay for the breakfast alone is Le Molina. Found 30 minutes from Lucca, this B&B looks straight out of a storybook. The rooms are on the smaller side for families so this place is probably best for babes in arms. Or a child-free weekend away, if you get a chance for such a thing!
AirBnbs
Finally, if a private home is more your thing, I have a made a wishlist of AirBnb properties in the Cinque Terre and Tuscany that you can view here.
That’s it for now. Let me know if you book any of these places and which ones you think we should stay in.
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