As you drive into the grounds of the Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort, you notice the rustic sculptures at the roadside. There are various local wildlife immortalised in wicker. Wild boar, porcupines and hares welcome you as you drive in and it’s the first hint that this is not your standard resort.
Argentario is located on a coastal peninsula in southwest Tuscany about 2 hours northwest of Rome. It’s the brainchild of businessman Augusto Orsini, a native of Rome, who loved to holiday in this area in his younger days. The resort is less than twenty years old with the golf course opening first in 2006 and the hotel following in 2008. Finally, in 2010, the resort opened its spa and wellness facilities. More recently, the resort has partnered with the global hotel brand, Marriott Bonvoy and is part of its Autograph collection. This partnership will expand the resort’s reach and attract guests from around the world.
Beautiful Location
Argentario offers peace in one of Italy’s most picturesque regions. It is situated in the Maremma, which is an area renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. This wonderful resort embodies the essence of Tuscan charm while providing a sanctuary for relaxation and indulgence.
At the resort’s heart lies a commitment to providing guests with an outstanding experience of comfort and sophistication. The guest experience is enhanced by the warm hospitality and impeccable service of the staff. This is the essence that defines the Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort. Nothing is too much trouble for the unfailingly polite and helpful staff members.
Eco Friendly
The resort is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. It’s dedicated to minimising its carbon footprint and preserving the natural beauty of its surroundings. As a result, they implement eco-friendly practices and initiatives throughout their operations. Every effort is made to ensure that guests can enjoy a luxurious experience without compromising on their commitment to the planet. All the lighting is energy efficient. They use locally sourced organic produce in the restaurants. The vast majority of the resort’s vehicles are electric, whether that be buggies, bikes, cars or SUVs.
There is plenty of wildlife around the resort grounds. We encountered hares and numerous birds including ibis and storks as well as water voles, known locally as nutria. It seems to us that the resort embraces the diverse wildlife which are free to roam the estate. No chemicals are used on the golf course or the grounds and probably uniquely, chilli powder is used to stop the birds damaging the greens! Expensive? Yes, but that shows the level of commitment to the environment at Argentario.
Accommodation
The resort’s accommodations are luxurious with a selection of beautiful rooms, suites, and villas. Each space has contemporary furnishings, plush bedding, and modern amenities to ensure a stay of absolute comfort and convenience.
Our Room
Our room was in the west wing of the main hotel building. We have to say that it was the quietest hotel room we have ever stayed in. We never heard a peep from any of the other guests at night time. That quietness and the room’s blackout curtains made for a wonderful two nights sleep. It’s just perfect for someone who isn’t a great sleeper at the best of times.
The accommodation was excellent with a large comfortable bed, an enormous bath and a separate bathroom with a walk-in rainfall shower. We even had a decking area outside which gave you wonderful views over the grounds, golf course and surrounding countryside. The quiet theme continued outside. All we could hear were the birds and the occasional sound of golf balls hitting trees. It was the perfect place to relax.
The Spa and Wellness Facilities
For those seeking relaxation, the resort boasts an array of 5-star amenities designed for calmness and wellness. Guests can unwind amidst the tranquil surroundings of the resort’s exclusive spa, where a range of holistic treatments and therapies await. They promise to soothe away the stresses of everyday life and promote a profound sense of well-being. Each treatment is tailored to individual needs, from indulgent massages to revitalising facials.
The indoor pool with the fitness centre in the background
Fortunately, we got to experience a relaxing massage after golf. It was just perfect and much needed after a stressful round where the play didn’t match the expectations. Our ageing body needed the massage after two rounds in two days, our first rounds of 2024. It’s no exaggeration to say we were walking on air afterwards.
The outdoor pool and deck area
The Golf Course
As well as its spa facilities, the resort offers many recreational activities to suit every taste and preference. Golfers can perfect their swing on the resort’s championship golf course, renowned for its challenging layout. You can read our article on the golf course experience at the link below. (if you haven’t already)
Other Activities
Those who like adventure can explore the surrounding countryside on horseback. Alternatively, you can take a cycling tour of the region’s picturesque villages and vineyards. For water lovers, the nearby coastline offers opportunities for sailing, snorkelling, and diving. There’s also a private beach where guests can sunbathe or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
For those who prefer cardio workouts in the sunshine, the resort can cater for that. Within the hotel grounds, there are 2 tennis courts, two padel courts and a mini football pitch. There are also two walking/jogging trails around the property.
A Wonderful Culinary Experience
As you would expect, the resort has outstanding food on offer at its restaurants. From gourmet Italian cuisine to international fare, each dish is prepared using the finest locally sourced ingredients. The resort operates a zero kilometres policy where as much of the food produced is sourced locally. Consequently, all the vegetables, herbs and salad ingredients come from the resort’s kitchen gardens.
Fantastic Sharing Platters
We ate dinner in the clubhouse on both nights and can vouch for the quality of the food, especially the sharing platters. The beef carpaccio was superb, the pinsa romana delicious and the bruschetta with meats and local cheese delightful. Every one of the meals we had was exceptional, as good as you would expect freshly cooked Italian food to be. Oh, and the accompanying local wines were fantastic too…..
Some of the outstanding food at Argentario
Guests can dine al fresco on the terrace overlooking the resort’s golf course and gardens. However, we didn’t get to experience that on this trip due to the evening chill. It was early April after all. You can also enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner in the elegant surroundings of the Dama Dama restaurant. Thank you to Nicola Aloccia, the Restaurant Manager and his team for looking after us so well.
Things to Do Outside The Resort
The Resort sits almost halfway between the fishing towns of Port Ercole and Porto Santa Stefano. Both are well worth a visit. Porto Santa Stefano is the larger of the two and is exactly what you would expect of an Italian seaside town. Bustling streets, busy cafes and a variety of fresh seafood are available at all the restaurants. Guests can choose to cycle or walk to both towns which are only 4 or 5 kilometres from the resort.
Porto Santa Stefano
We managed a quick visit to the Convento dei Passionisti, high up in the hills of Monte Argentario. The Convent overlooks the resort and at night the hillside is topped by a large well-lit cross. If you are religious, the convent is well worth a visit for the highly decorated chapel. If not, the views from the grounds of the convent are spectacular.
The Convent overlooks the resort
In Summary
Reflecting on our visit to the Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort, we are left with memories of a really quiet 5-star luxury experience in the Tuscan countryside. We thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of Italy’s only PGA National championship course. Above all, it’s the memories of the resort’s facilities, the food, and the outstanding staff that we will remember the most.
Thank you to everyone who made this trip special. Helen Heady for the invite and to all the staff at the resort who looked after us so well. As we said in our golf article, it was our first time in Italy. What we can promise you is that it won’t be our last!!
Arrivederci…..until we meet again.
At a Glance
- A 5-star resort, 2 hours from Rome
- Located in the Maremma, an area of outstanding natural beauty
- It is the quietest resort we have ever stayed in
- Luxurious accommodation and outstanding food
- Wonderful spa and pools
- Championship golf course
- Numerous other activities both onsite and offsite
- For more information, go to https://www.argentarioresort.it/en/
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