Departures, the exclusive luxury and lifestyle magazine by American Express, has created a list of “Design-forward golf retreats”. The beautiful and rustic area of southern Tuscany – known as Maremma – features in the list along with Gleneagles in Scotland, Sagres in the Algarve, Phuket, Okinawa and other fancy destinations around the globe.

The design spirit in a rustic and natural region such as the Maremma is embodied by the Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, a luxury resort with design suites, eco-friendly 18-hole golf course, spa with health club and gourmet restaurant.

“The Argentario Resort in Tuscany eschewed Tuscan terracotta and wrought iron for an airy dragonfly-shape main building that pulls guests into a large, curving lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows that gaze out onto surrounding cork and olive trees. Slate floors, cream-colored shag seating and matte-black structural elements provide a rich contrast. Rooms feature tabarca and serena stones, earthy Tuscan woods and stainless-steel fixtures; most are endowed with large terraces that overlook the Espace Wellness Center and the property’s Orbetello Lagoon. There is a modern pro shop, and the 18-hole bio-agri-certified course—designed by David Mazzacane in collaboration with Italian golfer Baldovino Dassù—is veined with running trails and remains one of Italy’s most scenic”. Departures, 2014

Have a look at the list of “Design-Forward Retreats” by Departures