Borgo Pignano

Lying at the heart of the breathtaking Tuscan countryside, a mesmerising tapestry of rolling hills, fields, forests and terracotta-roofed towns, Borgo Pignano is an elegantly restored 18th century villa surrounded by quaint farmhouses and cottages that offer a restful and restorative escape. Yet despite its secluded setting, the foodie heartlands of San Gimignano and Pienza, the medieval city of Siena and the famed tower of Pisa are all within reach, should you succeed in resisting the lure of the pool loungers.

With just 28 rooms, suites and maisonettes and one exclusive use farmhouse, Borgo Pignano feels more like a home than a hotel, albeit one with breath taking views and a design flair lifted straight from the pages of an interior’s magazine. Each is individual in its decor, with wooden shutters or elegant drapes, original frescoes, Persian rugs, wooden floors or sinkable carpets. Some boast canopied beds, others a grand piano, yet each shares the same thoughtful attention to detail. With views of olive groves, vineyards, manicured gardens or rambling countryside, there are few more tranquil views to awake to or to soak in over a morning espresso. Borgo Pignano also offers a wealth of activities for families from guided tours of the farm to horse riding and during the summer months a dedicated children’s team arrange daily activities for children all combining fun activities with learning about nature and the outdoors.

Dining at Borgo Pignano is a pleasure, to be savoured over long, lazy afternoons and balmy evenings. Warm breads drip with locally produced honey, unctuous olive oils come fresh from the groves, and seasonal fruits and vegetables complement meat and eggs from the farm. Innovative dishes can be enjoyed in the refined elegance of the Villa Pignano while the dreamy terrace of the Restaurant Al Fresco opens in the summer months, a charming spot to sip a glass of crisp biodynamic wine enveloped by the fragrant blooms of the garden.

Views don’t come much more spellbinding than that of the rolling hills of Tuscany from the pool at Borgo Pignano. Carved from an ancient limestone quarry, this heated infinity pool gazes out over the Tuscan countryside, an endless panorama of verdant beauty. Chaises longues and parasols dot the surrounding terrace, while an outdoor bar is nearby during the summer to keep you refreshed throughout the day. To keep both children and adults happy, there is a separate pool for under-12s.

Borgo Pignano presents something of a catch-22; a wealth of activities and sightseeing potential lie within reach but once you’ve stepped into the embrace of its picturesque setting, sumptuous accommodation and blissful pool you may find it difficult to leave. Should you succeed in dragging yourself from the English gardens or olive groves, you could find yourself horseback riding through wooded valleys or strolling through Siena’s ancient alleyways. Closer to home, you need not leave the property to enjoy yoga, a cooking class, numerous bike trails, wine tasting or a tour of the organic beehives.