Why go?
For a serene Tuscan escape in an authentic setting steeped in history and enveloped in a timeless elegance. Couples will feel completely at home at this tranquil hilltop retreat and can enjoy exquisite cuisine made with produce harvested from the organic estate.
Honeymoon style
Borgo Pignano attracts guests who want to experience wholesome Tuscany within the most luxurious of settings. Couples seeking total tranquility can switch off from the everyday hustle and bustle and head straight to the spa to indulge. Once refreshed, guests will discover that this is also a place for creatives, art lovers and foodies with so much to inspire – explore an al fresco art class, traditional pasta-making or workshops such as soap-making using ingredients harvested from the grounds. Active couples may choose horse riding while drivers can dream over the classic car collection, which will delight enthusiasts for days.
Set the scene
As borgo means hamlet in Italian, it’s apt that the hotel encompasses a settlement of houses all located within the enchanting 800-acre estate. A narrow winding driveway leads you to the magnificent main villa with courtyard (where you’ll likely see a classic car parked up) and you’ll be welcomed warmly by staff dressed in crisp white shirts and chinos. The main villa is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forests. Roses ramble over the stone facade, and at the front of the villa sits a manicured garden with soaring pine and Cyprus trees where soft seating and tables are set up for al fresco dining. Inside, the house retains all of its striking original features and has been tastefully restored with decorative painted wall murals and antique furniture throughout.
Rooms
For honeymooners, the rooms and suites in the main villa are effortlessly opulent, and come with breathtaking views. Each suite has a unique design, with whispers of the rich history in the handpainted walls. Tiled floors are adorned with antique rugs while windows are dressed with original shutters and draped curtains that flutter in the warm breeze. Bathrooms are spacious with grand marble fixtures and feature toiletries created using herbs and plants from the estate. Couples can opt for a suite in the main villa or one of the separate villas situated on the estate, each with their own private pool. Little touches like fresh posies on the bedside, fresh fruit on arrival and a complimentary mini bar all add to the magic of your stay.
Food and drink
Whilst staying at Borgo Pignano, a table at its restaurant which holds a Michelin Green Star, Villa Pignano, headed up by chef Stefano Cavallini, is a must. Opt for the seven-course tasting menu for a true Tuscan fine-dining treat, and sample innovative dishes such as pappardelle served with wild-boar ragu and poached seabass wrapped in zucchini flowers, with many ingredients coming from the organic estate. Dining here, in the most elegant of dining rooms, is a real indulgence.
Come daytime, take a seat in the verdant garden and order one of the hotel’s charcuterie boards – best paired with a glass of the hotel’s own organic wine. Try the rosé sparkling for a tantalising treat.
If you fancy dining al fresco, book table 40 for the ultimate romantic setting. Situated apart from the main diners and with panoramic views of the rolling hills, it’s truly unbeatable.
The story
Some of the stones seen in the oldest buildings on the estate are said to date back 2,500 years, and, with the first documentation of Borgo Pignano being 1139, there is much to unpack here. It’s been a hospital, a fort and, in most recent history, a family home handed down through different generations. Then, 25 years ago, new owners bought the estate and decided to reimagine it as a dream destination reflecting their cultural interests – hence the vintage Italian car collection, covetable artworks and delicious organic food. Request a tour with resident hotelier GiGi, who has been working at the hotel for 40 years, and he can tell you firsthand about the recent history and charming tales of Borgo Pignano.
Family-friendly
The staff will make little ones feel totally at home from the moment they arrive – and they’re likely to receive a cuddly toy (in our case a horse named Nana after one of the much-loved horses at the stables). Older children can engage in many activities, such as pasta making, painting or truffle hunting. The hotel has also recently opened a pool designed for families with far-reaching views of the Tuscan landscape. And the kids’ menu will definitely be a hit.
Spa
What was once a wine cellar and the principal water cistern is now a serene wellness centre with a sauna, steam bath and treatment rooms designed for couples. The intimate candlelit space features carved limestone walls, and therapists use oils made from local flowers and herbs from the estate. Book a signature stone massage for ultimate restoration, or to truly get back to nature, in summer months treatments can be held outdoors in one of the hotel’s secluded spots.
Eco-friendly
Eco efforts are at the heart of this hotel, and it’s evident at every turn. From the toiletries in the room made using produce from the land, to the green laundry service and farm-to-fork ethos across the restaurants, it’s quite remarkable.
Location
Getting here is easy. Opt for flights to Pisa, which is a 40-minute scenic drive to the hotel, or Florence which is 1 hour 15 minutes. Couples can explore the nearby hilltop towns of Volterra and Sam Gimignano, go wine tasting at one of the many vineyards or visit the thriving cities of Sienna, Pisa or Florence.
To Book: Borgo Pignano offers rooms from €350 per night based on two adults staying in the Villa, on a B&B basis. For more information please visit borgopignano.com
READ NEXT: Honeymoon Review: Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs
