Review of Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort, by Kamin Mohammadi

The majestic Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort is a unique luxury hotel: a sumptuous five-star resort set in the wild country of the Maremma – the untouched southern region of Tuscany – built around the naturally abundant supply of thermal waters that run wild here.

The hot springs of Saturnia have been flowing in Tuscany for thousands of years; first the Etruscans and then the Romans constructed baths around the pungent waters. Legend has it that the Roman god, Saturn, lost his temper with war-like men and sent a lightening bolt which split the earth from where flowed hot sulphuric water over the people, calming them. People still flock here to be soothed and revived by the waters, and the hotel, with its thoughtfully decorated interiors, sweeping lines and harmonious colours, adds to the sense of relaxation with its wonderful service, wealth of facilities and helpful staff.

The series of pools that the springs flow into are milky and steamy, particularly delicious on colder evenings and atmospheric to lounge around on warmer days. The water, at 37º, relaxes the body, its minerals include sulphur, calcium and carbon, good for skin conditions and aching joints. There are a series of pools, Jacuzzis, waterfalls, waterways and hot tubs and an outdoor juice bar and café which you can float along to on the water. But the hotel has much more to offer than the delectable healing waters; the original features of the main house – a grand Tuscan country villa – have been integrated into the clean contemporary décor which has ebullient features of its own and stops the rather vast reception and lobby space from being fussy.

There is a library and a piano bar to lounge in, and an art gallery which features art, antiques and artefacts of high quality, both local and international such as Persian carpets, and which regularly holds contemporary art exhibitions. The resort is so relaxing and perfectly self-contained that you feel you have entered a different, separate and altogether more refined world when staying here, a luxurious home-from-home with extra added curative powers.

As well as the wild springs which are harnessed into several outdoor pools, hot tubs, waterfalls and an indoor Roman Bath, the deluxe resort has a world class spa which is one of the largest in Europe, so large in fact that it even features a spa within a spa. The labyrinthine spa is innovatively decorated, with unfussy lines and therapeutic lighting and takes several approaches to well-being, from beauty and holistic treatments to medical therapies harnessing the curative powers of the waters. Thorough consultations are available either with a therapist or a doctor, and programmes for a variety of treatments can be worked out for those here for more than rest and relaxation.

The hotel is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped 18-hole golf course which also has a golf school and which enjoys fine views over the Maremma countryside.

140 rooms are decorated with a distinctly luxurious simplicity, with fine quality furniture and marble bathrooms. There are two large Grand Suites overlooking the steaming springs and sweeping countryside, as do the three Suites. There are also 71 splendid Junior Suites.