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Hotel Poggio ai Santi Tuscany Text: Simone Leitner www.poggioaisanti.com TUSCANY 88 89 Luxury, authenticity, pleasure and peace: the doors of the hotel Poggio ai Santi in the heart of Tuscany are open wide all year round. The hotel Poggio ai Santi is an oasis of peace, beauty and inspiration. It is located in San Vincenzo in Tuscany, a region noted for its excellent wines and outstanding culinary arts. This luxury hotel comprises several buildings and is managed by the owners personally and with style. The main house, barn and villa are all built, ventilated and aligned to maximise the advantages of the regional climate. The weather is mild in winter and with a pleasant refreshing sea breeze in summer. Your own personal space and tranquillity underline the philosophy of this beautiful, almost magical country estate which offers a feast for all the senses. „We run our hotel with passion and commitment“ says Dominique Curchod as he explains how the hotel was founded and why the family founded a hotel and olive farm, instead of a wine-growing estate. „The business plan made the decision an easy one“ says the communications specialist, who hails from the French speaking part of Switzerland, runs a company in Monaco and travels widely. Growing and making wine is very cost intensive and takes many years to establish. Together with his partner, Francesca Vierucci, this successful businessman wanted to create a place to savour. „A place that is genuinely regional and combines local traditions and treasures“. Dominique Curchod talks of the glorious countryside and beaches near the hotel. „We even have beaches for dogs.“ Tuscany is also home to some of the most famous wine estates in the world. Sonorous names and great wines such as Antinori, Sassicaia, Tignanello, Ornellaia, Solaia or Luce bring a light to the eye of every wine connoisseur. And when you want to rest after a wine tasting session, you‘ll always find a haven of peace in the hotel Poggio ai Santi. The large suites (75 m²) are in the villa in the southern part of the park and have one of the best views in the area. The barn houses three suites which open directly onto the park. The main house has four suites (two of which are junior suites) on the first floor. Poggio ai Santi has grown harmoniously over the years.. The suites are the result of renovations and new build projects: each has its own character, décor and setting. The main house, with its gourmet restaurant and library, wears its Sunday best in every season. „In summer it opens onto the veranda on three sides and in winter you can enjoy mild afternoons by an open fire. You can admire views of the coast of the island of Elba from the terrace and on a clear day you can even see Corsica on the horizon“ the owner explains. Poggio ai Santi is also a medium sized agricultural estate with 40 hectares of land planted with olive trees on both sides of the hill. „Our olive oil is well known and is much in demand from top chefs“ Dominique Curchod emphasises. The head chef of the Hotel Lausanne Palace & Spa, Edgard Bovier, is one who uses Curchod‘s olive oil. „Quality at all levels is, quite simply, very important.“ HOTEL POGGIO AI SANTI TUSCANY HOTEL POGGIO AI SANTI Photos: HO