Hotel Borgo Pignano is a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Tuscany, not far from Volterra and San Gimignano. Once a medieval settlement, this estate turned hotel has evolved over the years and transformed into a stunning hotel reflecting Tuscany's architectural traditions and history.
The Hotel and Surroundings
Borgo Pignano was originally part of a much older rural settlement, dating back to the 1700s. The main villa and the surrounding cottages reflect a blend of Tuscan agrarian culture and classical architecture. The estate was once a thriving farm and many of the existing buildings were designed for architectural purposes, such as barns and storage for agricultural tools and machinery.
The owners, a family who are committed to sustainability and preserving the integrity of the farm, carefully restored to estate maintaining much of its original style and purpose.
The Interiors
The main villa serves as the focal point of the property, with much of its original grandeur in tact, this is where you'll find various sitting rooms and the grand restaurant. With frescoed ceilings, antique furniture and grand fireplaces, the main villa is everything you want in a Tuscan villa. The layout has remained residential and due to the limited rooms you will start to feel right at home in the spaces. The guest rooms feel like bedrooms and are beautifully done with 17th and 18th century antiques throughout and honey colored stone walls with terracotta tiles. The interiors feel right for the spaces, nothing too over the top or over-designed.
The grounds of the estate are equally as impressive as the interiors. The hotel is set on 750 acres with views of the rolling hills of Tuscany, vineyards and olive groves. There is seating throughout the gardens and a swimming pool with the most incredible views of the land. As you enter the hotel, the resident 1960's Fiat might be parked right outside the villa, making it the most picturesque arrival. If you're coming with a larger group, the hotel also has a few stunning cottages on the property which are the perfect solution for a family or larger group.
In the neighborhood
The property has an expansive farm that grows many of the ingredients used in the hotel's kitchens. They are passionate about bee keeping and organic products, with their fresh local honey available to you at any time. The area surrounding the property also offers an abundance of outdoor activities and charming towns to explore. We borrowed mountain bikes from the main villa and went through the trails starting just at the doorstep of the property. We found ourselves biking through the Cypress trees, olive groves and rolling hills of Tuscany. The trails are also perfect for a walk or a horseback rail with one of their resident horses.
Not too far away you'll find charming Tuscan towns that will be worth a visit when you're ready for a short break from the hotel. Volterra is about twenty minutes by car and a stunning hilltop town that dates back to the Etruscan period. This medieval village is perfect for walking the winding streets or visiting an alabaster workshop in which the town is known for.
The town of San Gimignano is also nearby, about thirty minutes by car, though a stunning walled medieval town. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with cobblestone streets, ancient churches and incredible views. Also worth mentioning, the stunning Siena is about a 45 minute drive from the property and a must see while you're here. Siena is worth spending a day or two in, visiting at the front or back end of your trip. The nearby towns were the perfect morning trip before the heat picks up in the summer, though the best time to visit would be spring or autumn.
