Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort - Travel Review

Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort has built a reputation for high quality golf, sensational food and luxurious relaxation. Set in a tranquil Tuscan valley full of lush Italian vegetation, it is a secluded, intimate and exclusive resort which offers a taste of the finer things in life.

Visiting the region ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Golfshake Ambassador Rob Treanor reports back on what Argentario has to offer both on and off the course.

Home to the PGA National Italy golf course, a lavish hotel with two restaurants and a very impressive suite of spa and relaxation facilities. There is a strong ethos throughout the venue of connection to nature and provenance, perhaps best exemplified by the “kilometre zero” policy whereby as much produce is grown on site or sourced from the local region as possible.

Golf

As well as the excellent 18 hole course on site, the venue is in partnership with several other clubs in the region to offer customised golf tours and day trips, including to the 2023 Ryder Cup host venue; the Marco Simone. This makes Argentario a fantastic option as a base to explore the region, though having discovered the depth and quality of the onsite facilities, guests may be persuaded not to venture beyond Argentario’s expansive perimeter.

Read our full feature review of Argentario’s excellent PGA course HERE.

Accommodation

In keeping with the resort’s refined and chic façade, the rooms are decadent, well-appointed and exceptionally comfortable. Each room is equipped with its own private terrace which features impressive views across the resort, the valley beyond and the ever present mountain scenery.

The sophisticated, contemporary design is welcoming and lavish. Natural materials like wood are extensively used, creating a nod to the resort’s connection with nature. All of the rooms are generously proportioned, with king size beds, showers and separate baths as standard in all rooms. For pure opulence, the handful of suites and villas allow guests to experience the very best Argentario has to offer. A limited number of further villas are planned for the future and are available for purchase before being built allowing for a bespoke design.

Spa & Fitness

The Espace spa and wellness facility is first class. The enormous, oval shaped swimming pool has an irresistible swim-through gate to a secluded outside area. A further two outside swimming pools are ideal for cooling off in the summer months after relaxing on a sun lounger and gazing at the extraordinary mountain views.

Also inside in the pool complex is a unique Kneipp circuit. This thigh-high water feature transitions from very cold to warm water in order to aid circulation and is an experience not to miss! A thalassotherapy tub containing warm seawater completes the exotic offerings in this superb facility. The usual suspects of saunas, steam rooms and treatment rooms are also present and are the icing on the cake in what must be one of the best equipped spas in all of Italy.

For those looking for a more active break, there are a variety of fitness facilities on offer. A very well appointed gym with cardio, weightlifting and cross fit equipment resides next to the pool and spa area. Outside there are a range of tennis courts, football pitches, padel courts (a game similar to squash) and a properly marked running trail with an outdoor fitness station. Argentario is much more than a hotel with a great golf course attached to it; the wellness facilities are an intrinsic part of the hotel’s identity and make as much of an impression as the quality of the golf.

Food & Drink

The Clubhouse is the focal point of the resort and - like so many other facets of this destination - offers much more than a typical 19th hole would. The expansive terrace is the natural choice for a post round drink and bite to eat. As well as typical staples such as club sandwiches and burgers, traditional Italian dishes and daily specials are on offer using ingredients the chef has sourced that morning at the local market. With provenance so key to the resort’s ethos, all of the ingredients are sourced locally with many originating from the hotel’s own orchard garden, including a fabulous olive oil which is perfect for dipping warm focaccia bread in.

The Clubhouse restaurant rotates three menus throughout the day, ensuring plenty of variety and styles of dishes depending on the occasion. The “double salmon burger” on beetroot bread, delicious and hearty salads such as the Caprese or the Tuscan bread with ham and cheese demonstrate the quality and thought which goes into the food at Argentario.

The hotel’s main bar is a sophisticated area to meet for a pre-dinner drink. Specialising in cocktails, the wall of spirits is a sight to behold, as are olives the size of golf balls! Next door is the gourmet Dama Dama restaurant. Whilst this wasn’t open during our visit, the significant renovation being undertaken will make this a very special location for evening events in the near future.

The quality of the food throughout Argentario’s array of options is a real highlight and genuinely excellent.

Location & Activities

The resort is around an hour from Rome and its international airports, making Argentario a very accessible resort, even for a short stay. The hotel and its grounds are surrounded by mountains on three sides giving the whole venue a very private and intimate ambience. Golf is central to, but certainly not the only recreational activity on offer. The local rustic town of Orbetello is far off the beaten track and is not subject to the tourist crowds of big cities, offering a true taste of provincial Italy.

Electric bikes are amongst the array of activities available on site and the hotel has partnered with Mercedes to offer car hire for more adventurous trips. Catering for sophisticated clientele, a heliport is also available for those who need it!

As well as customized golf experiences at other courses, Argentario also offers a range of experiences in the local area. Wine tasting, boat hire, horse riding and hiking are just some of the popular activities which allow guests to experience the best of the local region.

Summary

With the breath-taking combination of mountain, valley and sea views, Argentario’s location could hardly be more picturesque. Characterised by outstanding golf, first class wellness facilities and an indulgent food offering, Argentario exceeds expectations in every department.

For more information on Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort please visit www.argentarioresort.it