Relais Santa Cristina Hotel

⭐ Terrible experience, never again I must say that I have rarely had to leave such a negative review, but our experience at Relais Santa Cristina was truly terrible. Let's start with the property: very neglected, with several areas that urgently need maintenance and renovation. The photographs and expectations were very different from the reality we found. The welcome was also absolutely not up to par. The staff and owner proved to be unpleasant and unhelpful, making us feel anything but welcome guests. They even demanded cash for payment instead of an INSTANT bank transfer. The pool, which should be one of the strong points of such a property, was another disappointment: old and rusty lounge chairs, stained towels, and generally poorly maintained conditions. And then the food. Decidedly poor quality, far from what one would expect when in Tuscany and, above all, in a property that also offers a restaurant service. The situation became even more unpleasant because about ten people in our group (including myself) had intestinal problems after the meals. We cannot state what the cause was, but it is certainly an episode that cannot be ignored. What is most disappointing is seeing a facility with a potentially wonderful location and setting managed in this way. Terrible value for money, lack of care, little attention to the customer, and a welcome that leaves much to be desired. As far as we are concerned, an experience to forget, and we will certainly not return. One star, and only because it is not possible to give zero.

*Relais santa Cristina* from August 10 to 13, 2026 Simply enchanting! Immersed in the Tuscan Apennines, in the center of the Chiantigiana, we stayed in one of the rooms that characterize this relais totally immersed among vineyards, far from the rest of the village of Radda. The room is on the ground floor and has an independent entrance (great for privacy and for unloading luggage quickly) and is carved out inside an old farmhouse, featuring typical rural elements such as exposed wooden beams, exterior masonry, a wooden door, and furniture that is a bit vintage (four-poster bed, sofa, and small armchair). Furthermore, there is also a TV and a mini-fridge to keep water cold. We were provided with linens (changed on the second day upon request) and use of the pool 24/7 (with personal lounge chairs and umbrella) shared with the other guests. The breakfast, truly genuine, is abundant and includes both sweet and savory options and is extended until 10:30 AM, ideal for a slow awakening. The relais is located inside an extremely quiet and scenic vineyard but is also very functional for traveling to the medieval villages present along this stretch of the Chiantigiana. Not far away are a gas station, a tobacco shop, and a Coop store. The real highlight was the welcome from the owner, a very sweet lady who, with her son and husband, manages the property with grace, attention to guests, and small, thoughtful gestures that are not a given. For example, they were immediately attentive to resolving a technical issue caused by the room's cooling system, giving us the option to change accommodations if we had wanted to. So much human quality that made us appreciate the stay even more. The only flaw encountered (but it is a result of personal needs) is the bathroom: instead of a shower, there is an old-style tub with a handheld showerhead, double knobs to adjust the water temperature, and a plastic curtain to prevent water from spilling onto the floor. Not very convenient, actually. All things considered, however, the quality of the welcome, the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and the human factor made the difference, making our stay happy and wonderful. We will definitely return!

The place has a lot of potential, it could be taken care of more, but the kindness of the owners, the availability and courtesy make you feel at home and make everything pleasant, and this is worth the stay. Comfortable and well-kept room. The sweet puppy Bettina, who lets everyone cuddle her, has a little star all her own.