Villa Zelia | 13-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Province of Siena

Twenty-six guests arrive in Montepulciano, Tuscany, and within minutes they understand why a luxury villa rental in Siena region matters. Villa Zelia unfolds across 1,080 square metres of stone, terracotta and vine-covered hillside—a working winery estate where the morning light catches the silver-green rows of olives stretching toward the Val d’Orcia. This is not a property that offers Tuscany; it is Tuscany, organized for groups large enough to justify the drive but intimate enough to feel like home.

Inside Villa Zelia

Villa Zelia sleeps 26 guests across 13 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. The main villa accommodates 16 people; a separate annexe holds 10 more.

Main Villa Ground Floor: A three-level living room dominates the entry—sofas, armchairs, a fireplace that draws the eye upward through stone and timber. The professional kitchen connects directly to a dining area with garden and pool access. One ground-floor bedroom features a double bed and ensuite shower, accessible from outside and purpose-designed for guests with mobility requirements. A guest WC serves the common areas. An elevator runs through all levels, essential for anyone carrying luggage or preferring not to navigate stairs.

Main Villa First Floor: Six bedrooms, each with a double bed and ensuite shower bathroom. These rooms inherit the villa’s character—terracotta underfoot, wooden beams overhead, each named after local grape varieties that anchor you to the region’s wine history.

Main Villa Second Floor (Tower): A seventh bedroom with double bed and ensuite shower offers solitude and views across the countryside. The tower position catches light from multiple angles.

Main Villa Basement—The Wellness Centre: This is where the villa’s luxury infrastructure emerges. A relaxation area with herbal tea station adjoins a spa zone featuring three sensory showers (eucalyptus and citrus infusions available), a Finnish sauna, a steam room, and a heated hot tub available on request (3 p.m.–7 p.m. daily). The adjoining fitness area contains three Technogym machines—exercise bike, elliptical trainer, weight machine—plus yoga mats and stability balls for those who want to maintain routines.

Annexe—Ground Floor: Five bedrooms, all accessed from the exterior, each with a double bed and ensuite shower. These rooms provide privacy for multi-generational groups or friends who prefer some separation from the main house.

Throughout Villa Zelia, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, smart and satellite television, and mosquito nets are standard. Iron and ironing boards appear in service areas. The property supports maid service, a personal chef or cook (available on request), and breakfast service. A pre-stocked fridge means your first morning arrives without a supermarket run.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

Step beyond the terrace doors and the landscape declares itself immediately: a 15-metre by 5-metre swimming pool set into pale travertine, maximum depth 1.5 metres, suitable for swimming and safe play. Sun loungers, deck chairs and parasols ring the water. The pool terrace extends into a furnished outdoor dining area—this is where groups eat lunch facing the hills, where wine from the on-site cellar tastes different because you are looking at the vines that produced it.

Four thousand square metres of grounds surround the main building. Terraces connect the indoor and outdoor zones. Patios provide morning shade. The garden breathes—there is space to walk, to sit separately, to find quiet. Parking accommodates multiple vehicles on the property itself, essential for a 26-person gathering where guests may arrive in multiple cars.

The winery and cellar occupy their own dedicated space within the grounds. Le Buche winery operates on-site, producing wines in traditional Tuscan style with contemporary technique. Wine tastings happen here. Cooking classes can be arranged using produce from the estate or sourced locally. These are not add-ons; they are integral to understanding where you are.

Location: Siena and the Surrounding Area

Villa Zelia sits in the hills between Siena (60 kilometres north-west) and Montepulciano (12 kilometres south-east), at the edge of the Val d’Orcia—a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of cypress, stone and light. The nearest town, Sarteano, lies 12 minutes by car and rewards a visit. The castle at Sarteano crowns a hilltop; guided tours explain its medieval history, and rotating art exhibitions use the interior walls as a gallery. Walk the drawbridge and climb the stone stairs. For lunch, Ristorante Santa Chiara occupies a converted convent with gardens overlooking the town—book ahead in summer.

Sarteano holds one of Italy’s most significant recent archaeological discoveries: the Tomb of the Infernal Quadriga, an Etruscan necropolis chamber uncovered in 2003. The region is riddled with Etruscan remains—tombs, inscriptions, artefacts. The Arrischianti Theatre (1680) sits in the town centre. Ceramiche Il Volo, a working ceramicist’s studio, sells hand-thrown pitchers, lamps and jewellery made from clay found locally. These are not crafts; they are the persistence of skill across centuries.

Siena itself—60 kilometres away, 90 minutes by car—commands a full day. The Piazza del Campo slopes like a theatre. The Torre del Mangia, tallest tower in Italy when built, offers views across red roofs and distant hills from its apex. The Duomo astonishes: marble stripes, a floor of inlaid saints, the Piccolomini Library with its frescoed walls. The Basilica Cateriniana honours Saint Catherine of Siena, a Dominican mystic whose writings still shape Catholic theology. Explore our luxury villas in Italy to see alternatives in other regions, or our full collection in Province of Siena for properties across the area.

Arezzo, 50 kilometres south-east (75 minutes by car), hosted Etruscan civilization, Roman garrisons and Medici courts in sequence. The Piazza Grande, designed by Giorgio Vasari, contains the Palazzo delle Logge—a colonnade of mathematical precision. Vasari’s house (Casa Vasari) preserves his own frescoes and tempera paintings: a time capsule of Renaissance technique. The Cathedral of Santi Donato e Pietro houses a baptismal font relief carved by Donatello. On the first Sunday of each month, the Antiques Fair transforms the piazza with over 500 stalls selling everything from Roman glass to Renaissance engravings.

The Val d’Orcia itself—the valley surrounding Villa Zelia—offers cycling routes through unchanged countryside, walks past abandoned farmsteads, and sudden vista points where the landscape drops away. The Crete Senesi badlands 40 kilometres north feature eroded clay hills without vegetation, starkly beautiful. Visit in April–May for wildflowers and green light, or September–October for harvest atmosphere and gentler heat. Summer temperatures exceed 30°C; many guests prefer shoulder seasons. For destination research, read our Tuscany travel guide for seasonal activities and cultural highlights specific to the region.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Multi-generational family reunions: Twenty-six people across 13 bedrooms means flexibility—grandparents, adult children, cousins, spouses all sleep separately but gather for meals. The ground-floor accessibility bedroom accommodates elderly guests or those with mobility challenges. The pool suits children; the wine tastings suit adults; the cooking classes suit both.

Friend groups celebrating milestones: Ten people can stay in the annexe (privacy), sixteen in the main house (connection). The chef service and wine cellar eliminate logistical stress. The wellness centre—sauna, hot tub, fitness area—supports group wellness without leaving the property.

Corporate retreats: The dining capacity, outdoor terrace for team-building, wellness facilities and chef service make Villa Zelia functional for business groups. The winery and surrounding countryside offer off-site activities that build rapport.

Wedding or celebration groups: The main villa and annexe allow wedding parties, guests and family members to stay together. Outdoor terraces suit receptions. The chef, maid service and wine partnership simplify planning.

Practical Information

Capacity: 26 guests maximum. 13 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms. Main villa sleeps 16; annexe sleeps 10.

Nearest airports: Florence Amerigo Vespucci (Peretola) lies 120 kilometres north-west, approximately 2 hours by car. Rome Fiumicino lies 250 kilometres south, approximately 3.5 hours. Both airports offer international connections.

Nearest supermarkets: Sarteano, 12 kilometres away, contains shops for daily supplies. A larger supermarket exists in Montepulciano, 15 kilometres south.

What is included: Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, satellite television, linens, towels, pool access, grounds maintenance, maid service (available), chef or cook service (available on request), breakfast service (available), wine tastings (available), cooking classes (available on request), pre-stocked fridge (available on request).

Check-in flexibility: Contact Excellence Luxury Villas to discuss your specific arrival dates and needs. Flexibility increases significantly for shoulder-season and longer bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Villa Zelia

How many guests does Villa Zelia sleep?

Villa Zelia accommodates 26 guests: 16 in the main villa (7 bedrooms on upper floors, 1 on ground floor) and 10 in the separate annexe (5 bedrooms). Each bedroom contains a double bed; some also feature sofa beds or additional sleeping arrangements for families with children. All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Zelia in Siena?

Florence Amerigo Vespucci International Airport (FLR) lies 120 kilometres north-west, approximately 2 hours by car via the A1 motorway and regional roads. Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) is 250 kilometres south, approximately 3.5 hours away. Both airports offer rental cars, private transfer services and shuttle buses. Private car services to Villa Zelia can be arranged in advance for a premium but seamless transfer experience.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Zelia?

April through May offers spring wildflowers, green countryside and warm but not excessive heat (18–24°C). September through October provides harvest season atmosphere, wine festivals, and milder temperatures (20–28°C) compared to July–August summer highs exceeding 30°C. June and early September suit those comfortable with warmth but averse to peak-season crowds. December through February brings frost, occasional snow at higher elevations, and fewer tourists but reduced daylight. Avoid August if you prefer avoiding peak tourism and extreme heat.

Is Villa Zelia suitable for families with children?

Yes. The swimming pool (1.5 metres maximum depth) accommodates children’s swimming. The villa offers maid service, pre-stocked fridges and breakfast, removing daily logistical burden. The annexe allows families to occupy separate bedrooms while remaining close to parents. The surrounding countryside—quiet roads, gentle hills, vineyards—suits family walks. Kid-friendly excursions can be arranged to Sarteano (castle climbing, ice cream shops) and nearby villages. The wellness centre contains a hot tub and sauna suitable for family relaxation evenings.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Zelia?

Standard inclusions are: Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property, air-conditioning, satellite television in bedrooms, all linens and towels, pool access and grounds maintenance, and parking. Maid service, chef or cook services, breakfast service, wine tastings, cooking classes, and pre-stocked fridges are available on request for an additional fee. The winery on-site offers wine tastings and education about local production techniques. Confirm specific inclusions when booking, as luxury properties often customize packages based on guest needs.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Zelia?

Sarteano (12 kilometres, 15 minutes by car) contains Ristorante Santa Chiara, housed in a converted convent with gardens and traditional Tuscan cuisine. Local ceramicist shop Ceramiche Il Volo sells hand-thrown pottery and decorative objects. Montepulciano (15 kilometres, 20 minutes) offers restaurants, wine bars, grocery shops and the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine cellars open for visits. Pienza (25 kilometres, 35 minutes), a Renaissance town, contains food shops, restaurants and the Pecorino Romano cheese shops for which the region is famous. For general supplies, Sarteano and Montepulciano both have supermarkets. The villa chef can source ingredients from these towns and prepare meals on-site, removing the need for restaurant meals if preferred.