Borgo Pignano 

A Tuscan estate

Action-packed break or pure relaxation – you decide how things go in this refined and blissful escape in Tuscany.

There’s something about Borgo Pignano that makes it feel like an exclusive members’ club. Perhaps it's the size, with just a small collection of suites, rooms, and maisonettes. It could be its quiet confidence, which fully embraces its Tuscan heritage and allows its natural surroundings (and fresh produce) to do all the talking. Then again, it could be its sheer exquisiteness at every turn, where elegant décor and fine food steal the show. Whatever it is, we love it. The cherry on this decadent torta is the abundance of wholesome activities, from hiking and biking to painting and cooking, horse riding and – somewhat unusually – the chance to handmake luxury soaps.

Why we love Borgo Pignano

  • The setting is epically glorious, with abundant vegetable gardens, olive groves, orchards, and a vineyard. At Borgo Pignano, you’re in touching (and tasting) distance from the region’s delicious produce.

  • The incredible infinity pool is carved into the limestone and has a sensational view over the countryside. Plus, there’s a secret corner for al fresco spa treatments.

  • Children are warmly welcomed with plenty of facilities to keep them happy, including outdoor-orientated activities and a dedicated children’s pool.

  • There are activities galore. What better place in the world to learn to paint?

5 stars
Apr - Oct
Rural Tuscany
Pisa: 2¼ hours
On a sprawling farm in the heart of the rolling Tuscan countryside, the nearest town is Volterra, which is reached by a 20-minute drive.
Approx. 75 minutes’ transfer from Pisa airport

Rooms

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Activities
  • Diving & Watersports
  • Sustainability
  • Families

Dining at Borgo Pignano is something to really look forward to. You’ve got two excellent options. The more formal Villa Pignano is a Michelin-starred, formal affair where you’ll sample the very best of Tuscan cuisine in lavish surroundings. Authentic Italian pizza and pasta are available at Al Fresco. Adored by children, this is a more casual eatery set on a terrace with fabulous views. For a special occasion or something a little different, ask about an exclusive dinner in the original kitchen.

Villa Pignano
Resplendent in shades of powder pink and sage green, the hotel’s main restaurant offers modern interpretations of classic Tuscan dishes and has been awarded a Green Star by Michelin.

Al Fresco
Fresh pizza and pasta served on a sun-dappled terrace for a more casually elegant dining experience. Open June to mid-September,

Kitchen Community Table
In the building’s original historic kitchen, a long communal table brings guests together over menus of local dishes. Open from April to May and mid-September to October or November.

What's included

Breakfast at Villa Pignano

The wellness centre is carved out of limestone in what was once the estate’s winery. Today, it offers decadent treatments using oils from local flora. In summer, you can choose a private spot near the infinity pool for an outdoor treatment. For yogis, there are plenty of classes, both one-to-one and group options in an atmospheric indoor yoga studio. There’s an all-weather tennis court and a large gym featuring Technogym equipment.

There’s so much to do here. Picking up bikes and maps is a great way to explore the estate and the two nature reserves, Berignone and Castelvecchio or following quiet roads through the scenery on road, gravel, or electric bikes.

Look out for painting classes or try a cooking class and learn pasta-making or baking. There are also wine tastings in the historic cellar and artisanal classes where guests can make handmade soap with the estate’s herbs, flowers, and honey.

Head out with specially trained dogs and go truffle hunting on the estate or take a more leisurely estate tour to go behind the scenes and see the farm in action.

Access to infinity pool for guests 12 and older, and there’s a family pool too.

The estate’s farm supplies the restaurants with olives, cereals, fruit, and vegetables. The kitchen garden uses natural and sustainable agricultural growing methods improve the soil and increase the vitality of the farm, orchards, olive groves, vineyard, and vegetable gardens. The estate keeps bees, and their honey is used in products created by the resort.

Borgo Pignano uses solar panels and chip-fired boilers to power its heating and hot water systems. These boilers are fuelled by wood harvested from the estate's forests. The gardens are watered with filtered rainwater that is collected and stored, and the farmland is irrigated using natural and manmade lakes.

This is a great option for families, with plenty of accommodation choices that comfortably fit everyone, plus options with kitchens if you fancy eating in, or your kids are still at the age where it’s useful to have somewhere to prepare bottles and snacks.

In the summer, there are half- and full-day programmes where kids can paint and sculpt and try dye-making with spices and flowers. Older children love to roam and bikes in the gardens and woods around the estate and take riding lessons.

In the restaurants, there are children’s menus.