Review: Borgo Santo Pietro

Location: It’s easy to believe Borgo Santo Pietro was once a healing stopover for medieval pilgrims. Encased in 300 acres of gardens and vineyards, this 12th-century villa exudes tranquillity. The property is an-hour-and-a-half’s drive from Florence airport and 45 minutes from Siena.

First impressions: Tall, slender cypress trees and buzzing borders of lavender line the road into the estate – and the beauty of Borgo Santo Pietro is instantly apparent. Honey-hued stone buildings are dotted between abundant foliage, with neat gravel paths winding between trickling water features, grand stone statues, terracotta potted plants and dragonfly-filled herb gardens. In the main villa, interiors evoke a palatial country house of the past: think paved stone floors with plush rugs, huge chandeliers and oak and mahogany furniture. Crackling fires and glowing candelabras make the atmosphere enchanting.

The facts: The estate of Borgo Santo Pietro was derelict when Danish couple Jeanette and Claus Thottrup stumbled upon it in 2001. They spent seven years renovating it – carving out 13 acres of garden for some 300,000 plants and carefully restoring the ancient stone villa. Despite the estate’s size, Borgo Santo Pietro only has 22 rooms, suites and villas, with seven in the main villa and 15 dotted across the grounds. Facilities are so well woven into the property, they feel as though they’ve always been there.

A freshwater pool has been designed as a natural lagoon, set underneath the shade of a tree and framed by boulders and natural greenery. Across the property you’ll find plenty of cosy corners to unwind in: a pair of cushioned wicker chairs overlooking the vineyard, perfect for an aperitivo; a wrought-iron table and chairs in a quiet courtyard; a Moroccan daybed set beneath a grand stone arch. The Borgo Spa feels somewhere between a French châteaux and country farmhouse, and offers a sumptuous facial among other treatments using the brand’s own skincare line.