Agriturismo Gli Arancini, quiet among the olive trees
Agriturismo Gli Arancini is a renovated farmhouse in Montorio, near Pistoia, set among olive trees with wide views. Guests value the peace, the owners' warm welcome and the farm-grown food. Some reviews raise issues with cold rooms, the price and a card machine that failed, so check before you go.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Agriturismo Gli Arancini.
Where Agriturismo Gli Arancini is and how to get there
Agriturismo Gli Arancini is in Montorio, in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, on Via Lecceto. It is a farmhouse among the olive trees, in an isolated and panoramic position. One guest describes it as easy to reach and not far from Pistoia, though still in the middle of hill greenery.
You arrive by car and there is private parking. The description notes that you can go on walks and bike rides in the surrounding area. To me it works as a base for switching off, more than as an address for getting around a city on foot.
What the rooms and spaces are like
The farmhouse has been carefully renovated, according to several guests, and offers rooms with a private bathroom, bidet, toiletries and hairdryer. Outside there is a well-kept park, a spacious terrace for breakfast outdoors and a shared lounge for spending time together.
Guests who have stayed describe bright, spacious and very clean rooms, with simple but comfortable furnishings and a very comfortable bed. The view is the first thing that strikes you, and it comes up in a great many reviews.
What guests say
On Google Gli Arancini has a rating of 4.3 from 44 reviews. Some of the comments are a few years old, so it is worth reading the most recent ones before you decide.
The recurring points are these.
- The view and the panorama, among the olive trees.
- Silence and tranquillity, suited to families and couples.
- A warm welcome from the two owners, who are very helpful.
- Genuine food from their own growing, with olive oil, bread, jams, honey and vegetables.
One family with a child says they got a room with a single phone call and were served a dinner prepared especially for them with produce from the garden. Another guest talks about a cultural and culinary exchange between Tuscany and Campania.
What you eat
Dinner and lunch are possible, but not always included. Guests talk about starters, tagliata and good-quality wine, with local produce and an oil made on the spot. Breakfast is Italian style with local products.
One tip that kept coming up in the reviews is to have a snack of their bread, jams, honey and vegetables from the farm, if you do not want a full dinner.
What to know before you book
The drawbacks do exist here, and I would rather tell you clearly. The negative reviews are few but heavy, and some are dated.
- One guest finds it expensive for what it offers, with rooms that are a bit cold and a breakfast cut to the bare minimum.
- Dinner, when it was not included, was judged modest by one guest.
- On one occasion the card machine did not work and payment had to be made in cash. Bring cash, to be safe.
- Another, very negative review describes a cold room, no hot water and cleanliness problems. It is an isolated case among many positive comments, but I am pointing it out.
- A large group found the meal meagre compared with their expectations.
My advice is simple. If you are travelling out of season, ask how the heating works, and before you arrive confirm dinner and payment.
Who it suits
Agriturismo Gli Arancini suits people looking for quiet, a view and friendly, family-run hospitality, couples and families wanting a break in the countryside, and anyone who loves genuine produce. It also works well for people travelling by bike.
I would not choose it for a city stay, or if you expect standard hotel services such as a reception that is always staffed or guaranteed meals.
What to do in Montorio and around
Around Montorio there are paths through the olive groves and quiet roads for cycling. For cultural visits, Pistoia is the nearest city mentioned by guests, and the description makes clear that Florence is a bit further away. Ask the owners for advice on the area, since guests say they give it readily. If you want to sleep in the city instead, B&B Cavour 10 in Florence is one option. Other places to look at are Azienda agricola Scerba in Casalguidi and Hotel Locanda degli Artisti in Borgo San Lorenzo.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
