Is This Tuscany’s Best Kept Secret? The Sense Experience Resort

The name itself is a promise, an invitation before the journey even begins. Our journey started from Pisa, where the city’s energy soon gave way to the rolling landscapes that define Tuscany. We drove past rows of slender cypress trees standing like sentinels on distant hills and fields bathed in a soft, golden light.

An hour later, leaving the main roads behind, the scent of pine needles grew stronger, mingling with the clean, salt-tinged air of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The entrance to The Sense is understated, a subtle hint of the calm and exclusivity that lies within. It immediately establishes itself as one of the standout luxury hotels on the Maremma coast of Italy.

Stepping out of the car, the immediate sensation is one of peace. The air is warm, and the gentle hum of cicadas replaces the noise of traffic. We were met not with stiff formality, but with the genuine warmth of our host, Silvia, whose family owns the resort.

To be greeted by someone with a personal stake in your experience sets a different tone. It speaks of pride and a deep, inherent understanding of hospitality. This personal touch is the thread that runs through everything.

The lobby is a study in contrasts. Cool, modern design is softened by playful, whimsical details, most notably a large reception table framed by seats made from swings. It’s an unexpected touch that encourages you to relax. For those in higher room categories, the check-in becomes a private, curated moment.

Our luggage disappeared silently as we were guided to a secluded outdoor terrace. We sat with a glass of crisp, local prosecco and small sandwiches made with Tuscan bread while the administrative details were handled for us. It was a quiet, considered welcome; a moment to pause and fully arrive.

A walk through the grounds reveals a profound respect for the landscape. This is not a place where nature has been tamed, but rather curated. The scent from the surrounding pine forest is ever-present, and dappled sunlight filters through the canopy onto the pathways. Every path is immaculate, clear of even a single stray leaf—a small but telling sign of the constant, quiet care that pervades the resort.

This thoughtful design extends to the rooms. Every room and suite here has a sea view or a side sea view, a decision that grounds your experience in the location. Entering our suite for the first time, the coolness of the air was a welcome contrast to the afternoon sun. The space was clean, open, and filled with natural light.

We slid open the glass doors to a private balcony, a generous space where we would later enjoy morning coffee and watch the stars appear in the clear night sky. From here, the only sounds were the gentle waves and the rustle of wind in the pines. Some suites even feature a private jacuzzi on the terrace, offering another way to unwind in complete privacy.

Mornings began at Restaurant Dimora. We chose a table outside, where the smell of fresh coffee mixed with the sea air. The breakfast buffet was an event in itself. A vast selection of freshly baked breads and pastries sat alongside platters of local cheeses and cured meats.

There were cooked items like sausages and bacon, bowls of vibrant fresh fruit, and a juice station where you could create your own blend from a colourful display of ingredients.

In the evening, Dimora transformed. The resort cleverly caters to different preferences. Half Board guests are presented with a menu of four distinct paths—vegetarian, fish, seafood, or meat—which changes weekly to reflect the freshest seasonal produce. All-inclusive guests have the freedom of a vast à la carte menu. For a more elevated evening, we discovered Eate, the resort’s fine dining restaurant.

Here, tasting menus offer a true culinary journey through the Maremma region. A dish of hand-rolled pici pasta with a rich wild boar ragù was a highlight, a perfect expression of Tuscan heritage. Before dinner, the Red Rabbit cocktail bar was our preferred spot, where skilled bartenders crafted drinks using local herbs as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Days found their own easy rhythm. Some were spent in peaceful stillness by the large, heated swimming pool, on comfortable loungers with a book in hand. Others were for exploring the Sense Experiences Resort private beach, a beautiful stretch of sand meeting the calm, clear waters of the sea. We tried kayaking for the first time, paddling out to enjoy the view of the coastline from the water.

One afternoon, I experienced a massage. There is no dedicated spa building yet—though there are wonderful plans to convert a charming old church on the property into a future wellness sanctuary. Instead, treatments take place on the dunes. In a private cabana, shielded from view but open to the elements, the therapist’s skilled hands worked away tension.

The only soundtrack was the hypnotic rhythm of the waves. For more active moments, the resort has a tennis court and a dedicated area for yoga. Golfers are also well catered for, with four excellent courses, including Riva Toscana and Pelagone, just a short drive away through the scenic countryside.

This ability to tailor the experience is the resort’s defining character. The experience desk in the lobby is more than a booking service; it is a concierge of possibilities. The staff are local experts and creative problem-solvers. They can arrange anything from a bike tour through the pines, a food tour of a local market, or a private wine tasting at a family-run vineyard.

Their guiding philosophy was best captured by a story we heard. A guest once expressed a dream of playing his grand piano on a mountaintop. The team did not dismiss it. They embraced the challenge, chartering a helicopter to transport the instrument and make this extraordinary moment happen. This anecdote tells you everything.

Leaving The Sense feels less like checking out of a hotel and more like departing from a friend’s beautiful coastal estate. It’s a place that delivers on its name by reconnecting you with your own senses, which are so often dulled by the pace of modern life. It’s the family ownership that makes this possible, creating an atmosphere of genuine care that cannot be replicated.

For those seeking a luxury holiday to Tuscany, away from the crowds, but with all the beauty and charm, I cannot recommend The Sense Experience Resort highly enough.