As We Enter March 2026 / Terme Di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort Tuscany in Italy / By Anjana Gosai / Publisher Luxurylifestylemag

Halfway between Florence and Rome, tucked among the rolling hills of southern Tuscany, Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort offers a truly unique five-star wellness experience.

Centred on a geological phenomenon – natural hot springs which have been coveted for their health and wellness benefits since as long ago as the Iron Age – Terme di Saturnia is the perfect place to unwind, recharge and soak up the beauty of rural Tuscany.

It’s the legendary water that has attracted visitors to the village of Saturnia for centuries. Its journey begins as rainfall on the slopes of Monte Amiata, a dormant volcano some 40 miles north. Over the course of four decades, the water travels deep underground, collecting minerals from ancient rocks and becoming enriched with healing properties.

When it finally resurfaces, naturally warmed to 37.5 degrees Celsius, it fills and replenishes the resort’s spring pools several times a day before flowing onward to Cascate del Mulino, a breathtaking series of waterfalls and limestone pools formed around an old stone mill.

The area attracts thousands of visitors each month, along with the neighbouring thermal park, both sustained by the same mineral-rich flow that has made Saturnia famous.

Within the hotel’s 120 hectares, guests can escape the everyday and embark on a wellness journey, soaking in the healing, sulphur-rich waters amid the tranquil surroundings.

Hotel and spa

At the heart of the resort are Saturnia’s famous thermal waters

The resort is all Tuscan charm, featuring a GEO-certified 18-hole championship golf course, two acclaimed restaurants and nature-inspired design, all set amid Tuscany’s unspoiled landscapes and centuries of healing tradition.

The spa area is the main attraction. Recently refurbished, it houses 53 treatment rooms and state-of-the-art facilities that offer a sense of luxury and calm from the moment you arrive.

Guests can pick from comprehensive programmes that cover every aspect of wellbeing. Options include Classic, Slim, Detox, Mind and Skin Anti-Age, which are available in three or seven-night packages.

At the heart of it all are Saturnia’s famous thermal waters – warm, pungent and rich in minerals brimming with purifying and antioxidant properties.

There are several pools to explore, including two shallow options for children and a private area for hotel guests that flows into the public thermal park.

Long before it became a luxury retreat, these springs drew in Roman soldiers returning from battle to soothe their wounds and later medieval clergy seeking a spiritual dip.

Today, visitors inhale the mineral-rich steam to help with respiratory conditions, sip the water to aid detoxification and bathe in it to calm skin concerns such as eczema and psoriasis. Many also swear by its benefits for joint pain, circulation and cardiovascular health.

The spa boasts an impressive menu of relaxing and restorative treatments

Guests are encouraged to grab a swimming noodle and drift from pool to pool, and I did exactly that, letting the warm water buoy me along.

At first, I was a little put off by the black, slimy splotches floating past, but these turned out to be Saturnia bioplankton, an algae packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

After watching other guests smear it over their faces and bodies like a mask, I couldn’t resist joining in.

I spent most of my three days at the resort, alternating between the whirlpools, hydro-massage tubs and the Kneipp path, where you walk through hot and cold pools to stimulate circulation.

When you do eventually emerge from the thermal waters, the spa keeps the indulgence going. The treatment list is impressively vast, everything from cryotherapy and customised massages to glow-boosting facials and even mole mapping can be booked.

After the long drive from Florence, the Natural Destination Massage was exactly what I needed.For a true Saturnia ritual, ask for a pot of the “muds of Terme” – a mineral-rich blend collected from the spring’s riverbed, which is best enjoyed in the argillarium, slathered over skin to deep cleanse and purify.

By the end of my stay, it was clear the comforting waters really did work their magic – my skin felt softer, limbs were lighter and I slept so peacefully for the entire stay.

Rooms and suites

Each of the 124 guest rooms at Terme di Saturnia blend Tuscan charm with modern comfort

Each of the 124 guest rooms at Terme di Saturnia blend Tuscan charm with modern comfort, creating a peaceful retreat after a day outdoors. Many have balconies or terraces with views of the Thermal Park, rolling hills or even the hot spring.

Inside, you’ll find plush beds, thoughtful eco-friendly touches and all the modern comforts needed to unwind – bathrobes and slippers at the ready, flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars and those little details that make a room feel instantly welcoming.

The design leans into the beauty of its setting, mixing earthy countryside shades with the iridescent blues of the natural thermal waters.

For a little extra indulgence, book a suite, which offers more space, a dedicated seating area and the option for an extra bed. The garden junior suites open directly onto the grounds and are ideal for guests travelling with small pets or children.

Food and drink

At on-site restaurant 1919 spa menus and fine dining feature the very best of local cuisine

The general ambience of the hotel during the day is intentionally relaxed. It’s perfectly normal to move around in a robe, including stopping for lunch at the restaurant and bar overlooking the main pool.

Under the skilled knife of executive chef Salvatore Quarto, the resort’s on-site restaurant: 1919, offers spa menus and fine dining featuring the very best of Maremma, the southern Tuscany stretch in which Saturnia is located. Steak lovers will rejoice at the Fiorentina “Terme di Saturnia Selection” – a one-kilo T-bone, sourced from prized Chianina cattle and grilled over embers before being finished with olive oil and sea salt.

A short, golf buggy ride away, La Stellata is the resort’s nod to a traditional countryside trattoria. The rustic space serves classic Tuscan dishes, including taglioni mantecati nel pecorino con tartufo – stirred through a wheel of pecorino and finished with truffle at the table.

Perched on the hillside, it offers wide, dreamy views as the sun sets over the Tuscan landscape.

For something simple, the Library Bar offers lighter dishes, from salads to sandwiches. Breakfast, meanwhile, was a highlight, with plenty of healthy options, including a live egg station and a brilliant juice bar where you can choose your own fruit and vegetables and have them blended on the spot.

Being in the heart of Italy’s wine country, Terme di Saturnia naturally delivers a formidable wine list, curated with executive chef and sommelier Andrea Menichetti.

There’s something for all tastes and pairings, from bold Chiantis to crisp, dry Trebbianos.

To do

The Cascate del Mulino waterfalls are a stunning natural wonder, close to the resort. Image credit: Bigstock/DejaVuDesigns

The Cascate del Mulino waterfalls are a stunning natural wonder, just a 20-minute walk from the resort – and free to visit. Over the centuries, the flowing water has carved terraces of travertine rock, forming a series of warm, mineral-rich pools. Arrive early to enjoy them before the crowds.

The healing waters are not the only attraction luring visitors to Saturnia. The village is also home to a globally-renowned steak restaurant; I Due Cippi, which attracts discerning foodies each year.

Ranked 4th in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants, this family-run eatery combines impeccable service with seriously good dry-aged meat. Certified ‘Meat Master’ Lorenzo Aniello lovingly prepares each cut over a bespoke wood-fired grill, giving every bite a smoky, authentic Tuscan flavour that’s impossible to forget.

I Due Cippi combines impeccable service with seriously good dry-aged meat. Image credit: I Due Cippi

The restaurant, one of the few in the region to offer the much sought-after Kobe variety of Wagyu beef, is also known for elevating traditional Tuscan dishes into gourmet delights.

For example, the pigeon tortellini and grilled veal sweet breads, are rooted in the tradition of ‘peasant’ cooking, but at I Due Cippi, they are beautifully-presented and subtly-flavoured delicacies.

For a taste of local life, visit a nearby olive oil farm.

Wandering through the groves, watching the traditional presses and tasting some of the region’s freshest oil was a real highlight of the trip – and, of course, I took a few bottles home as souvenirs.

The resort offers a range of wellness-themed activities too. Group yoga sessions are held throughout the week, or book a cycle or e-bike to explore the surrounding countryside. The concierge can also arrange special excursions such as horseback tours and even hot-air ballooning.

In a nutshell

With their therapeutic qualities, Saturnia’s thermal springs have maintained their magnetic pull for years, and Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort offers a beautiful setting in which to enjoy it all.

The naturally warm water means it works just as well for a winter escape as it does in the height of summer. And if you’re after a break that feels genuinely restorative but still delivers on comfort and exceptional dining, this is the ideal destination.

Getting there

Terme di Saturnia is best reached via Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (150km) or Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport (220km). Both routes take you through the Tuscan hills, with car hire or private transfers available for a smooth onward journey.

Factbox

Rates at Terme di Saturnia start at €350,00 per night per room, including breakfast and spa access. Health Programmes prices can be found on the hotel website.

Address: Loc. Follonata, 58014 Saturnia, Italy
Phone: +39 0564 600811
Website: termedisaturnia.it

All imagery (unless stated otherwise) credit: Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort