Stanza letto, Villa Armena, Tuscany.

Restoring a 16th century villa to its former glory can be green and stylish.

In Tuscany, luxury hotel Villa Armena and its gardens, outside Buonconvento, was fully restored to highlight its original features.

Sala da bagno, Villa Armena.

Back in the 1500s, the villa was the country residence of the noble Malavolti family who hired Italian Renaissance architect Baldassarre Peruzzi.

Today, the hotel has adopted a ‘Made in Italy only’ philosophy.  It features 10 rooms furnished with antique furniture, paintings, prints and rich fabrics.

The hotel’s chef uses fresh local goods, from the villa’s garden, in ‘Slow Food’ traditional menus.

Guests are invited to wander the wine cellar to select their wines.

The hotel’s spa offers relaxation areas including hamman, hydromassage pool, sauna and earth, water and sensation rooms.

For more info, visit the Essential Italy site.

Images courtesy of Essential Italy.