Castello Banfi il Borgo

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with the compliments. My husband and I recently stayed at this hotel, and everything was absolutely perfect — literally from the moment we arrived until the moment we left. First of all, I would like to thank the entire hotel team. Everyone was incredibly kind, attentive, professional, and polite. The service truly made a difference throughout our stay. The hotel itself is stunning. Everywhere you look, there is something beautiful to discover, and you can really feel the attention to detail throughout the property. Our room was very spacious, and when we arrived, there were several lovely welcome treats waiting for us, which was a wonderful touch. The bathroom had everything we needed, and the room could be completely darkened with blackout curtains. The air conditioning also worked perfectly and allowed us to keep the room at exactly the temperature we like. The hotel offers a tour and wine tasting for guests. We did both and highly recommend them. It was wonderful to learn more about the winery and part of the history of the family who owns it. Guests also receive a discount at the winery’s wine shop, which is a lovely perk and made it even more enjoyable to take some of the wines home with us. One of the absolute highlights of our stay was dinner at Sala dei Grappoli. It was simply one of the best dinners we have ever had. An unforgettable experience! The swimming pool also has a beautiful view, and the water temperature was very pleasant. The hotel thoughtfully provides sandals and water for guests, which was another lovely detail. We also did the shorter bike tour, approximately 10 km, and absolutely loved it. The bicycles are electric, making the ride very enjoyable, and the reception provides guests with an app containing the maps and routes, so it is very easy to find your way and not get lost. The gym is outdoors. Although we did not work out there, we went to take a look and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the equipment. There is also an attached bathroom with a shower and toiletries, which is very convenient for guests. We absolutely loved our experience and would return without hesitation. As soon as we have the opportunity, we intend to come back and stay for even more days. This hotel is truly special, and we could not recommend it more!

The Castello is an old castle, beautifully updated. The few rooms are large, modern and very comfortable. The views from the hilltop location are fabulous. The restaurants are excellent, including one which is Michelin starred. They have their own estate wine/boutique shop as well as an interesting glass museum. The views from the pool are nice as well. Staff are warm and welcoming. A good location for seeing Montalcino.

Amazing hilltop views! Can walk through adjacent vineyards & olive groves. E-bikes if you want to explore nearby countryside.

Castello Banfi is my family’s favorite hotel on earth. My wife and I have stayed here six times. We’ve brought my mother and my sister who also fell in love with the place. We divide our trips to Italy into those where we get to stay at Castello Banfi and those where we don’t. I like to exercise and be more active on vacation. Free mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes are available. The 7000 acre property has mapped trails, but I really enjoyed just going exploring the vineyards, orchards and forests of the Val d’Orcia without encountering any cars and only occasional agricultural equipment. My wife can read, enjoy the spa, and just relax, enjoying the spectacular views in peace and quiet. Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Pienza are all easily accessible from the hotel, but we tend not to leave except to go get lunch. Lol. Sant’ Angelo in Colle (population ~200) is a 15 minute drive away and has 2 excellent restaurants. The hotel’s Taverna restaurant has very well done typical Tuscan cuisine. The Michelin star restaurant Sala dei Grappoli frankly has been a bit more hit or miss. During our most recent day, we had one truly amazing meal there. The night before, I suspect that perhaps someone did not show up for work in the kitchen. A few of the dishes were served with some of their components cooler than ideal temperature and others at the correct temperature. That said, being able to dine outside on the terrace with a spectacular 180+ degree view of surrounding Tuscan countryside is my favorite part of dining at the Sala dei Grappoli. Do not count on being hotel guest getting you a table at either restaurant without a reservation. You will need a reservation for both lunch and dinner at either of these restaurants. There is a poolside Café and also Room service if you don’t have a reservation and do not wish to leave the hotel for lunch or dinner. The rooms and suites are beautifully appointed with comfortable bedding, Nespresso machines, and a minibar stocked with complimentary Banfi wines. (The other mini bar items are not free). Twice daily housekeeping. Very pleasant and accommodating staff. You will not hear the word no often here. (Other than if you don’t have a reservation for lunch or dinner!) The hotel is very quiet other than occasional farm equipment or overflights by military aircraft. If you can’t relax here, it’s time to look inward. Lol

The staff was extremely helpful with every request we had. Our room was beautiful, spacious, quiet, and immaculate. Breakfasts were delicious and the staff remembered our preferences after the first morning. It made us feel very special. An amazing location with easy access to Montepuliciano and Montelcino.