The Place
Large open spaces spanned by stone arches and brick-vaulted ceilings characterize the ground floor of Villa Rioddi, a 15thC locanda – turned into a stage coaching station during the 17thC – just off the SS88 which leads south from Volterra in the direction of Cecina.
All 13 bedrooms are light, airy and fully equipped. A self-catering apartment, sleeping two to four, with its own private, sunny rooftop terrace is also available.
Luca, who runs the hotel with his wife, Luciene, aims to offer a personalised stay. He is eager to offer itineraries and recommend places to visit nearby. There is no restaurant at Rioddi, just a bar, but Volterra, a short 20-minute walk away, offers several choices and Luca will happily recommend them.
Breakfast is specially selected buffet of Volterra’s culinary offerings, including delicious pecorino cheese and wildboar venisson truffle, alongside homemade panzanella, a salad with bread, tomato and cucumber. If you’re still peckish, Luca and Luciene bake a selection of fresh cakes each morning. The breakfast menu changes daily.
Rioddi is one of three hotels in Tuscany whose swimming pools use strong UV-C lamps to disinfect the water to destroy bacteria, viruses and chloramines. The two pools have impressive 360-degree views, even by Tuscan standards, and the poolside has ample room for basking in the sun on one of the 15 umbrella-equipped beds.