Castello Banfi il Borgo

La dolce vita reigns supreme at luxury boutique hotel Castello Banfi il Borgo. Surrounded by green Tuscan hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves, you'll be hard pressed to find a more authentic Tuscany experience. This idyll boasts two restaurants, an enoteca, the balsameria and a Glass Museum, in one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. Family-owned, the estate has for many years excelled at making delectable Montalcino wines whilst giving guests a memorable and luxurious experience in the restored ancient castle, which is perfectly positioned between the Maremma and Siena.

The Mariani family welcomed the Castello into their estate in 1983 and restored it to its former glory. The feeling of luxury is evident in each of the spacious rooms and suites; all have been beautifully decorated with luxurious fabrics, bespoke accessories and antique furniture. Fresh flowers, complimentary wine and breathtaking views are par for the course, as are a welcome drink upon arrival, an estate and winery tour with the sommelier, wine tasting of three Sangiovese wines, soft drinks mini-bar, Nespresso coffee machine, Pay-per-view TV, Wi-Fi connection and parking.

The swimming pool is heated and overlooks the Sangiovese vineyards which produce the award-winning cru Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino. Take a wander through the fragrant rose garden and find a shaded spot under the pergola where you can soak up the views across the gently rolling hillside. Inside, the reading room offers some respite from the sun and is a relaxing corner where you can enjoy a book, magazine or a glass of Castello Banfi wine. If you feel the need to keep up with your fitness routine there's also a small gym.

A serious treat for foodies, Banfi has two restaurants as well as an Enoteca. Situated in the shadow of the historical Castello Banfi, La Sala dei Grappoli (open from March through to November) welcomes you in an elegant and refined atmosphere. Savour traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes using freshest local and seasonal ingredients. For a more classical Tuscan dining option La Taverna Banfi is open for lunch. The Enoteca has the atmosphere of a true Tuscan wine shop where you can buy the estate's still and sparkling wines, grappa, extra virgin olive oil and Salsa Etrusca, all at a 15% discount if you are a guest of the hotel. Fancy a taste of some of the area's best local produce? Pull up a chair, order a glass of wine and enjoy a plate of Tuscan prosciutto with Pecorino cheese. If you're a real foodie then book the Chef's table, a wine pairing dinner where the Chef takes you through the preparation of each dish.

Quite simply Castello Banfi Il Borgo is a luxury treat that does not disappoint in any area...sheer bliss!

 

Written by Lulu Townsend

• Good wine list
• The castle has its own vineyard which produces award-winning wines.
• Views
• Panoramic views of the hotel's vineyards around.
• Restaurant
• Choice of two restaurants and an Enoteca
• Massage
• In-room or outdoor massage available.
• Bicycles available
• Complimentary e-bikes available
• Garden
• Lovely fragrant rose garden.
• Swimming Pool
• Heated with stunning views.
• Gym
• Small equipped gym.
• Bath robes
• Bar
• Air conditioning
• Wedding license

• Meeting Room
• Library
• Sit-out Terrace
• Room service
• Sitting Room
• Safe
• Suites
• Hot Tub
• Concierge
• Satellite / Cable TV
• Wifi

• Learning
• The 13th century wing houses a glass museum with artefacts from the Romans.
• Wine tasting
• A wine tasting and tour of the estate is included in the room rate.
• Cycling
• Complimentary e-bikes are available for guests.
• Other Activities
• Chef's table, complimentary tour of the estate
• Great walks

• Golf
• Sights nearby
• Mountain biking
• Cooking classes

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Our hotel is immersed the nature and it has a breath-taking view on the area. The service is very attentive and the atmosphere is very relaxing and quiet.

What is there to do in the area or on site? During a stay at Castello Banfi Il Borgo you can visit the villages of Montalcino (25 minutes away from us) and Montepulciano (1 hour and 10 minutes from Castello Banfi) and to sample their local Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano wine. The renaissance town of Pienza, Pope Pio II hometown, is famous for its Pecorino cheese and for its stunning view on the Val d'Orcia area. Other delightful small towns worth a visit are San Quirico d'Orcia (35 minutes away), famous for its olive oil and Bagno Vignoni (40 minutes away), home to historical thermal baths.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Buffet Breakfast served at our pool bar (inside or outside depending on the weather).

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We serve dinner at our Sala dei Grappoli restaurant (fine dining). We serve lunch at our Taverna restaurant (typical Tuscan) and during the summer we serve lunch and dinner at our Pool Bar. If our guests would like to visit other restaurants we usually recommend: Il Pozzo and Il Leccio (in Sant’Angelo in Colle – 15 minutes away from the Castle) and Re di Macchia in the main town of Montalcino (25 minutes away).

Which is your most popular room, and why? All the rooms/suites are very beautiful but usually the most popular is our Deluxe Riserva room (basic room). One of them was the Borgo's little school before it became a hotel room.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? We do have extra beds or sofa beds for children in the suites. There is an extra charge for children older than 12 years old. Our cooking class is a very fun experience for adults and children, in general for families. Our swimming pool is a very popular hobby for the kids.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Our Boutique Hotel Il Borgo offers two rooms and twelve suites, located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val D’Orcia, each different in dimension, position and decorations, but all endowed with carefully selected furniture, fabrics, and luxury accoutrements. The hallmarks of this enchanting destination are the cultural and gastronomical experiences, wine tastings, trekking and guided estate tours, as well as simple relaxation.