Just back from: The Sense Experience Resort, Tuscany

Having recently returned from Tuscany's beautiful coastline, Italy specialist Becky Therialt shares her insights from a stay at The Sense Experience Resort. From private beaches and exceptional dining to medieval towns and boutique wineries, she discovers a refreshing side of Tuscany that perfectly balances seaside relaxation with authentic local experiences.

I hadn’t visited the Tuscan coast since I was a child, so I was particularly excited to return and explore this beautiful corner of Italy once again. An early morning British Airways flight brought me into Pisa, where private transfers can easily be arranged through the hotel. The journey takes around an hour, with the scenery becoming increasingly picturesque as you travel south. Before long, the landscape transforms into the rolling hills Tuscany is famous for, dotted with charming villages and framed by distinctive Tuscan pine trees that provide welcome shade during the summer months.

Main hotel area next to the beach

On arrival, we turned into The Sense Experience Resort, a stylish retreat set within 12 acres of protected natural parkland. The striking white reception building immediately came into view, offering a warm introduction to the property. One of the standout aspects of The Sense is undoubtedly its people. The hotel is owned by the Ficcanteri family, who also own several other properties in the region, as well as a local olive farm. Their award-winning olive oil features prominently throughout the hotel's restaurants, adding a genuine sense of place to the dining experience.

The welcome was exceptionally warm. The lobby features a concierge desk, comfortable seating areas with hanging swings, and a dedicated relaxation space where guests can enjoy complimentary juices and coffee during check-in. Throughout my stay, the service was consistently outstanding. Every member of staff seemed genuinely proud of both the hotel and their region, creating an atmosphere that felt both professional and personal. From reception, we walked through the beautifully maintained grounds towards our accommodation. A collection of low-rise buildings is spread throughout the resort, leading down to the sea and the hotel's private beach.

Hotel pool

Rooms

I would strongly recommend booking only the Superior Sea View Rooms with Balcony. I stayed in the Freedom Building, which enjoys an excellent position on the quieter side of the beach and offers wonderful sea views. The lead-in room categories do not offer comparable outlooks and, in many cases, have little or no view at all. For Wexas clients, the Superior Sea View category is undoubtedly the best choice. While there are no connecting rooms, some Deluxe Rooms feature two beds, and the suites provide excellent options for families travelling together.

The Sense is also exceptionally welcoming to dogs, and during my stay there were several well-behaved four-legged guests enjoying the resort alongside their owners.

Dining

The resort offers two distinct dining experiences: Eaté, the fine-dining restaurant, and Dimora, the main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. On our first evening, we enjoyed a tasting menu at Eaté, paired with carefully selected wines. The emphasis is very much on local ingredients, particularly seafood, and every course was expertly prepared and presented. Dimora offers a more relaxed setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows inside and attractive outdoor seating overlooking the grounds. Highlights included exceptionally fresh tuna, amberjack and red prawn tartare, showcasing the quality of the local produce.

Lunch at Dimora: tuna, amberjack, and red prawn tartare

The private beach

One of The Sense's greatest assets is its private beach, a rarity in Italy and a major selling point for the property. A wooden boardwalk runs behind the beach, and all guests enjoy complimentary use of comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas. Suite guests benefit from reserved cabanas, while other guests are free to choose their preferred spot each day. Staff are on hand to provide towels, while kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can also be borrowed free of charge. Thanks to the hotel's position on the Bay of Follonica, the water is exceptionally calm and ideal for swimming.

Directly across the bay lies the island of Elba. The hotel can arrange private boat excursions to the island, or guests can opt for the local ferry service, which takes approximately 40 minutes and offers an affordable alternative. In addition to the beach, the resort features a large swimming pool, heated during the cooler months, as well as a complimentary tennis court. The pool area offers plenty of space to relax and enjoy a drink from the nearby kiosk.

Beach restaurant

Wellness & activities

On our final morning, we joined one of the hotel's complimentary yoga sessions held on the beach. Practising yoga with the sound of the waves in the background was a wonderfully peaceful way to start the day.

Another highlight is the resort's complimentary bicycle hire. A wide, flat cycling path runs directly from the hotel to the nearby seaside town of Follonica. Bikes can simply be collected from outside reception, making it easy to explore independently.

The ride takes around 15 minutes and is entirely traffic-free. We spent a delightful morning wandering through Follonica, enjoying its laid-back atmosphere, local restaurants and long stretch of beach.

Morning view of the private beach with complimentary sun loungers for guests

Massa Marittima

Our second day began with a private guided tour of Massa Marittima, a beautiful medieval town located just 30 minutes from the hotel.

For me, this was one of the highlights of the trip. The town centres around a magnificent piazza dominated by an impressive cathedral, while narrow streets are lined with independent shops, restaurants and delicatessens. Despite its beauty, Massa Marittima remains relatively undiscovered compared to Tuscany's better-known hill towns such as San Gimignano or Volterra.

We enjoyed a tasting of local wines, olive oils and cured meats in one of the town's specialist food shops, and throughout our visit it felt refreshingly authentic, with far more local Italians than international visitors. This is an experience I would highly recommend incorporating into client itineraries.

View of Massa Marittima

Tua Rita winery

Following our time in Massa Marittima, we travelled a further 20 minutes to Tua Rita, one of the region's most respected boutique wineries.

As with the hotel itself, the people made the experience truly memorable. The team were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about both their wines and the surrounding landscape. In addition to a wine tasting, we took part in a fascinating workshop focused on local herbs, many of which were subsequently incorporated into our lunch.

The combination of exceptional wines, authentic hospitality and beautiful surroundings made this another standout experience that would work wonderfully for Wexas clients seeking a deeper connection with Tuscany.

Cellar at Tua Rita winery

Final thoughts

Overall, this was a fantastic trip and confirmed that The Sense Experience Resort is an excellent addition to our portfolio.

The combination of direct beach access, outstanding hospitality, excellent dining and easy access to Tuscany's picturesque hill towns creates a compelling dual-centre experience. It would pair particularly well with stays in Pisa, Florence or even Rome, thanks to Follonica's convenient rail connections and the hotel's proximity to the station.

My one key recommendation would be to focus exclusively on the Superior Sea View Rooms and above, as the entry-level categories do not offer the views that our clients would typically expect.

For those looking to combine coastal relaxation with authentic Tuscan culture, vineyards and medieval towns, The Sense delivers a wonderfully balanced and genuinely memorable Italian escape.