Castello Banfi il Borgo

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.

Enjoyed our stay immensely. Breakfast was such a delight with fresh pastries and dairy overlooking the vineyards. We highly recommend to come and stay Castello Banfi to enjoy the beautiful views and to relax. Definitely 5 stars!

As a longtime guest of Relais & Châteaux properties, I’ve come to trust the brand for consistently exceptional service in some of the world’s most inspiring locations. I specifically chose Castello di Banfi for its association with the Relais & Châteaux five-star promise, Banfi’s globally recognized brand, and a price point that signaled an unsurpassed experience not to be missed. Sadly, our recent stay fell far short of that standard—and we were deeply disappointed to be wrong. There is no denying the stunning beauty of the property or the charm of the Tuscan setting. The cooking class with Giacomo and wine tasting with Bernadette were highlights—authentic, personal, and truly memorable. Unfortunately, the service throughout our stay was inconsistent at best and at times nonexistent. Turn-down service was spotty, and breakfast and dinner at La Taverna were marred by slow, chaotic, and disorganized service. Evenings were especially poor, with no staff presence and only a non–English-speaking front desk clerk available. The winery tours arranged by the hotel were uninspired and did not showcase the richness of Tuscan wine culture. The hotel’s lack of casual evening dining options was particularly frustrating. With La Taverna closing one night per week and no alternative bar or terrace dining available, room service was our only option—and even that failed due to miscommunications with staff. We ultimately went without dinner that night, which is simply unacceptable for a high-end resort. There is a Michelin-rated restaurant that the hotel attempted to direct us to, but given the multitude of service issues we experienced throughout our stay, we had little confidence that this recommendation would deliver expected standards. Most troubling was the hotel’s response to our concerns. Staff appeared flustered and defensive, and no real effort was made to resolve the issues while we were there. This created stress during what should have been a relaxing and indulgent stay. I subsequently I raised these concerns directly with Relais & Châteaux, expecting at least an acknowledgment of the serious service gaps we experienced. Unfortunately, their response was equally disappointing and disheartening—lacking any meaningful recognition of the issues, accountability for the brand’s standards or indication they would take corrective steps. To be clear, this was a major trip for us—one that involved considerable planning and expense. We left feeling disappointed and shortchanged. These were precious days we won’t get back, and the service failures at Castello di Banfi are a lasting regret. In summary: Castello di Banfi is a visually stunning property, but beauty alone cannot make up for a lack of hospitality, service, and care—especially at this price point. It does not function as a full-service hotel, nor does it meet the expectations of a true five-star experience. Guests expecting attentive service, thoughtful dining options, and polished hospitality will likely be disappointed. Fortunately, Tuscany offers many other luxury properties that deliver on both charm and world-class service—many of which are far better choices than Banfi.

Thanks for a special relaxing time. This simply was one of the best resorts I have been to. Maybe because I love Brunello, maybe because I love castles , maybe service maybe the grounds in Val D’ Orcia or maybe because I love good clean Italian food ? All of above and more!!!!! The pool overlooking Val D’Orcia was like a painted picture. The food was the best we have had in a long time. The wine, please , the best. Our classic suite overlooked the vineyards, it was spacious. Breakfast was good, dinner and lunch in la taverna was fabulous. The wine pairing was fun and delicious. The tour was good. There’s nothing I can say negative only positive and will be my go to in that area.