Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
If there truly is a paradise on Earth, the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco might just be the gateway. The imagined idyll, often defined by pastoral simplicity, quaint paths, and rustic charm, takes on a new meaning here—true luxury, where one can lead a simple, serene life without ever compromising on the highest standards of quality.
A vast service team attends to a small number of guests, offering the luxury of solitude amidst sweeping mountain views. The hotel, perched on a secluded hilltop, is far removed from civilization—there isn’t another hotel within a 30-minute drive. The rooms are scattered across different areas, and apart from dining at the restaurant, you’ll rarely encounter other guests. Instead, the pathways are frequented by various staff—chefs, gardeners, housekeeping, and servers. The sheer number of staff seems almost excessive, but therein lies the true luxury of service: redundancy, ensuring both a sense of isolation and the highest level of responsiveness.
The hotel has no discernible boundaries and boasts a full array of amenities: an infinity pool and gym overlooking the distant hills, a spa and sauna reminiscent of an alpine retreat, a Michelin-starred restaurant alongside a more casual dining option, a lounge where you can always find a selection of sweets and hot tea, an ancient castle with a thousand years of history, meticulously maintained gardens, herds of deer frolicking on the lawns, and endless woodlands that stretch towards the layered villages on the horizon. Once the private estate of the Ferragamo family, this grand retreat is now operated by Rosewood, with an entire team creating a small village of just a few dozen villa suites, all spaced far apart.
You can imagine that maintaining such a high standard of service in such a remote location comes at a considerable cost. Yet, one can always trust the discerning taste of the affluent. Only those who truly understand and are accustomed to a life of indulgence could have conceptualized a hotel like this.
Some hotels you tire of after just a few days, but here, I long to stay for weeks, and to return each season. Spring brings blooms, autumn the moon; summer offers cool breezes, winter, soft snow. With a heart untroubled by worldly matters, every season becomes the perfect time to visit. The Cheval Blanc in Paris now takes second place in my heart, as I've left mine here. Rosewood CdB, until we meet again next year.
