A 12th-century Chianti castle where quiet luxury feels effortless

In the rolling hills of Tuscany, between Florence and Siena, COMO Castello Del Nero sits like a secret you’re happy to keep. It’s a real castle, all honeyed stone, cypress-lined approaches and countryside that seems to slow the day down on arrival. Inside, history is present but never heavy: Renaissance frescoes, terracotta floors, vaulted corners, then a clean, contemporary calm that brings everything into the now. 

There’s a distinct confidence to the way the place is put together. Interiors by Paola Navone don’t compete with the building’s old-world soul; they refine it. Think cool tones, collected textures, quiet design choices that let the views and the architecture do the talking. The result feels serene rather than staged, a castle that knows how to relax. 

The 50 rooms and suites keep that same balance: some carry the romance of frescoed walls or historic details, others lean more modern, but all feel considered and calm. This is Chianti at its most cinematic, and many rooms play it up with wide countryside views that make early mornings and late sunsets feel like part of the stay, not just the backdrop.