Terme di Saturnia Spa Weekend
Ciao All! I am writing this dispatch about my spa weekend with the hubs. I have wanted to come to Terme di Saturnia for years. I finally made it and it was worth the wait. So here’s the skinny on Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort. It’s located near Grosseto, which is a 3 1/2 hour drive south from La Fortezza into the heart of Tuscany.
We arrived on Saturday and after we settled in, I headed to my pedicure appointment. On my way, I stopped by the water station in the lobby to grab a glass of cucumber ginger water. Their spa is modern and beautifully appointed. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. After I arrived, I was led by a lovely lady, masked, to my pedicure room. I placed my feet into the warm water and she started the service. I was very pleased with the result.
Back in the room, Vivi greets me. Yes, they are dog friendly. We met our friends for aperitivo on the terrace overlooking the giant hot spring fed pool, where people were floating and bobbing around like a scene out of the movie Cocoon. We ordered drinks and while we chatted, a musician sequestered to the corner with a canned soundtrack plays smooth jazz and show tunes on his sax. It was quite funny and kitsch. Only Italians can manage to make this type of thing entertaining. We head to dinner next. This is where it gets really funny. The food was quite “interesting.” By interesting, I mean it was trying too hard. The waitstaff was tired and understaffed. We wait patiently to see if what we ordered is as bazaar as we think. And when it arrives, it most certainly was. Peaches with anchovies and soft burrata cheese; one teeny tiny hamburger with dollops of ketchup and mayonnaise on a glass plate that has dozens of divots that hold the dollops. Not good. I ordered the fish tartare plate which was warm, almost room temperature. Warmish scallop tartare is not my favorite. However, the desserts were great. The man serving us was a hoot. When I said the wine was good, he answered “I know” which made us laugh. I decided it was just the language barrier and not him being snarky.
On Sunday, we spent the day at the spa. There was a large breakfast buffet, which wasn’t bad, but also not good. The sleepy morning staff took forever to get our coffee. If you know me, this is not the best way to start my morning. I need coffee. After breakfast, we were off for a massage. Their signature massage is a full body massage. I walked down a long long corridor and was greeted by Stefano, who was masked. He showed me to my room and handed me some tiny paper panties and closed the door. As if he was psychic, he walked into the room as I was face up, covered up and ready to relax. He was great. It was a wonderful massage. Then, off to soak in the pools with the hubs and our friends. We were shown to loungers and partook in all the water features and floated in the pool that stood under the massage waterfall wall. We walked in the hot water standing pool and then to the cold water plunge pool. Lunch at the Spa was good. I ordered the club sandwich and a room temperature smoothie. Yes, it was warmish! Bleck.The smoothie situation was strange. No ice, so it was not a smoothie, it was juice. I think they need to rethink the name on the menu. They tasted good. It was just the temperature I had an issue with and the consistency. It really wasn’t a smoothie at all. That afternoon, I booked a mud scrub followed by a hydrating/lift facial. Both services were divine.
On Monday, we started our morning with a visit to the public hot springs located about 5 minutes from our hotel. It originally was an old mill. The stone mill is still in the middle of the waterfall which feeds the hot spring pools below. It really was the most beautiful photo op and the water was a tepid 80 degrees. We got there early enough to beat the crowds and the heat. Then we went back to the Spa. I booked a Benessere Gamba, which is a circulation inducing treatment for legs. It was the weirdest thing I booked, but it was so good. They wrap your legs in minty soaked bandages like an icy mummy. Then leave you to freeze for 10 minutes. And after, they massage your legs and feet with mint infused oil. It was really interesting and my legs felt like I could run a marathon after. Considering it was 100 degrees outside it was the perfect choice.
It was a lovely weekend. I highly recommend this place. Even with the food misfires, the staff generally tried very hard. The Spa is excellent and that is what we were there for, not the food. I must warn you, the hot springs smell of sulfur. You get used to it, but if you are sensitive to smells you may not like it. So be aware.