Castelfalfi, February 2017. A new, exclusive hotel is about to open its doors at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, a medieval hamlet in the heart of Tuscany, which boasts an area of 2,700 acres and more than 800 years of history. Starting March 31st 2017, the official opening date, the Hotel Il Castelfalfi - TUI BLUE Selection will be offering its guests a truly unique experience, combining modernity and tradition, simplicity and luxury, the warmth of Italian hospitality and the attention to detail that is typical of an international 5-star hotel.

Il Castelfalfi is the flagship not only of Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, but also of TUI BLUE. The new hotel is in fact the sixth property to join the TUI BLUE brand and the first 5-star resort. By adding 'SELECTION' to the brand name, TUI BLUE marks hotels in the 5-star category in unique locations offering excellent service, individual experiences and the highest level of quality. TUI Group, the world's number one integrated tourism group, has been investing in the restoration of the typical Tuscan resort and its surroundings since 2007.

As a further endorsement, Il Castelfalfi has been accepted into membership of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, just a few months ahead of the opening, and will be added to the brand's LVX Collection.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts represents more than 650 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries, guaranteeing the most discerning travellers exclusive hospitality and quality standards of the highest level. As a member of Preferred's LVX Collection, which represents renowned properties that feature the finest accommodations, Il Castelfalfi abides by the most stringent requirements to offer guests an unforgettable experience. The hotel offering includes elevated amenities and services, such as the elegant La Via del Sale restaurant, headed by Executive Chef Francesco Ferretti; La Spa, an oasis of peace in which to regenerate mind and body, and our bars Ecrù and Giglio Blu.

In addition, the Preferred Hotels & Resorts reward programme iPrefer extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, complimentary benefits, and other special benefits to guests.

“This partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts emphasizes our commitment to quality and excellence,” says Marco Metge, General Manager of the Il Castelfalfi. “In addition it gives us the opportunity to raise our profile in the international market”.

For further information, please visit www.castelfalfi.com

About Toscana Resort Castelfalfi

Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is an 800-year-old Tuscan village located in the heart of Tuscany's Golden Triangle between Florence and Pisa; the estate is owned and operated by the international travel group TUI who took over the 2,700-acre property in 2007. Castelfalfi is undergoing a €250 Million restoration and revival as a historically preserved, world-class residential and resort complex for full-time or vacation usage. The first hotel, the four-star La Tabaccaia, opened in Spring 2013 and a second hotel, a five-star 120-room property, opens in Spring 2017. The estate also features renovated historic apartments and casali (villas/farmhouses) available for sale and rental and custom-designed to the owner's preference.

The resort, which strives to be environmentally friendly via the usage of renewable bio-fuels and conditioned rainwater, also includes a 27-hole golf course carefully curated and immersed in nature, spa and wellness center and swimming pools with stunning views over the Tuscan countryside. The addition of a second wellness center, Il Spa, will give guests access to an indoor-outdoor pool, treatment rooms, a relaxation area and tea room and a variety of areas designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. Tuscan farm-to-table cuisine can be experienced at restaurants including the new La Via del Sale serving authentic Italian cuisine and trattoria Il Rosmarino, both headed by Executive Chef Francesco Ferretti, as well as the restaurant in the castle, La Rocca di Castelfalfi, headed by Executive Chef Michele Rinaldi. Castelfalfi manages its own olive oil, organic honey, farro and wine production as well as retail shops in the Borgo. Travelers can arrive to Castelfalfi year-round via Rome and then hop on a train to Castelfiorentino, the closest station to Castelfalfi, for a 30-minute drive to the estate. www.castelfalfi.com.