Hotel of the Day: Il Borro Toscana, Italy

If historic hotels are your thing, then there are few hotels which rival the history and grandeur of Il Borro Toscana. Buried deep in the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by 1,100 acres of organic, fertile land, this 1,000-year-old hamlet is the perfect example of history coming to life. Restoration began in 1993, and Il Borro Toscana is now a world-leading hotel which simply exudes traditional Italian hospitality.

History, Culture and Luxury: The Perfect Tuscan Getaway

Tuscany, aside from being one of Italy’s richest historic regions, is also one of the best wine-producing areas not just in Italy, but in the world. Now, picture a 1,000-year-old hotel deep inside the Tuscan countryside, where the deepest reds and crispiest whites flow all day every day as the sunshine splashes all over the land. That’s the idyllic image of Il Borro Tuscana – and we can’t wait to tell you all about it in the guide below.

Location

Set inside 1,100 acres of organic land, Il Borro Toscana is one of the most beautiful hotels in Italy. Valdarno di Spora is the closest geographical location to the hotel, which is set inside a wide natural basin formed by the river of the same name, making the land surrounding the estate as natural and perfect as possible, all of which contributes to the quality of its surroundings, and offering an authentic connection to nature at the same time.

Perhaps the most telling part of the restoration of the millennium-old village is that the medieval trades which once thrived there, such as shoemaking, goldsmithing and more, have now reopened inside the estate’s very own medieval village, which adds further to the pure authenticity of the place. 

Room Types

The accommodation offerings can be split into two distinct types at Il Borro Toscana: suites & villas, and homes & farmhouses.

Suites and Villas

Because of the size of the hamlet itself, there are 38 suites to choose from in the medieval village, and 20 suites to choose from in the Le Aie del Borro part of the resort.

The suites in the medieval village pay tribute to the history of Il Borro Tuscana, but rest assured, they are fitted with the most modern amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, including air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, TVs, en-suite bathrooms, complimentary bathrobes and more.

The suites and villas in Le Aie del Borro are more aimed at families or larger groups of adults staying together, and they are also similarly equipped with modern amenities. Several of the villas have their own private swimming pool, adding an extra touch of luxury to your stay.

Homes and Farmhouses

Set 1.5km from the main hamlet area, the homes and farmhouses section of Il Borro Tuscana is perfect for those planning on longer stays, and especially those travelling with families.

There are three homes on this site (two of which once served as traditional Italian farmhouses and have since been renovated), all of which are full houses, all of which can sleep up to four guests at any time.

Expect state-of-the-art decor, as well as a range of facilities including swimming pools, air conditioning, sun loungers and more included in these accommodations.

Bringing a vehicle – either your own or a hired one – is recommended, as there is no shuttle service into the medieval village or the rest of the resort from these houses.

Facilities & Amenities

There are numerous facilities across the estate that guests can take advantage of for the ultimate Tuscan escape.

There is a spa onsite, where a range of treatments from back to neck to full body massages are offered, as well as treatments such as facials or facilities like the Turkish bath. 

For those who want to keep active, why not visit the tennis courts and unleash your inner Roger Federer, or perhaps instead you’d enjoy a round of golf on the site’s very own golf course – the only question is, will it be 9 or 18 holes?

All of the rooms are equipped with air conditioning facilities, perfect for combating the scorching Italian summer heat.

The medieval village is a great place to visit, where you can buy items from traditional shops such as the goldsmiths or the shoe shop, while also admiring the 1,000-year history of the place.

Dining

While self-catering is the primary method at Il Borro Toscana, there are three main eateries onsite where you can have a night off cooking and let a top-class chef do it all for you.

For those wanting something quick, easy and authentic, Il Pomario is the perfect choice. Located in the Le Aie de Il Borro area of the resort, Il Pomario cooks fresh pizzas to order the traditional Italian way – there’s no New York-style slice or Chicago deep dish here! Il Pomario is a nice casual atmosphere, perfect for visiting with children because let’s face it – which kids (and adults) don’t like pizza?

Il Borro Tuscan Bistro is a slightly more upmarket eatery at the complex, offering an elegant atmosphere for lunches and dinners. Expect locally sourced, freshly ground Italian coffee to start off with (or to enjoy sipping on after your meal – espresso, of course), while a range of classic Tuscan dishes from pasta to grilled meats are offered, alongside wine produced from the Il Borro Tuscana estate.

Osteria del Borro is the most gourmet restaurant onsite, where guests are required to dress up. This is a fine dining establishment, and the menu celebrates the fresh and local produce of the estate. A range of wines is paired with each course as it comes out, while the freshest ingredients are prepared in mouth-watering, creative fusions by chefs at the very top of their game. It is a real treat to be able to dine here, and no visit to Il Borro Tuscana is complete without visiting Osteria del Borro.

Experiences & Activities

There are numerous activities and experiences available at Il Borro Toscana that will help to make your stay there the trip of a lifetime.

For starters, it’s right in the heart of wine country, so it’d be rude not to take a cooking class or a wine walk and talk experience, right? Enjoy seeing why Italians are so proud of their food and wine, and learn about the history of wine in the region at the same time.

You could also partake in the sports mentioned above, such as golf and tennis, or relax in the spa with a chilled glass of sparkling wine.

Enjoy horse riding through the estate, from the pristine vineyards to the rolling hills, and experience it from a totally new perspective. This also helps you connect with nature and the medieval side of staying here.

There are also lots of children’s activities to keep your little ones entertained, including sports, horse riding, and even cooking classes where they can make their own pizza and pasta dishes.

Who It’s Best For

Whether you’re travelling to Italy with your other half or you’re planning a family holiday, a visit to Il Borro Toscana is suitable for any type of traveller.

If you enjoy spending time outside and you’re a wine enthusiast, then this is the perfect hotel for you. In addition, it’s a bonus if you’re into history and are also an eco-conscious traveller, as this hotel is one of the best in the world for combining elements of all of the above.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a huge part of what Il Borro Toscana do.

In 2023, they joined the United Nations Global Compact and integrated their ten key principles of sustainability into their operations, giving more people the chance to visit the resort in the future, thanks to the actions that they are taking now.

However, the sustainability side of the hotel’s operations has been around long before 2023. As early as 2010, the hotel installed solar panels, which save, on average, 1,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year, while all vehicles onsite are electric and are charged by the energy generated from the resort’s solar panels. Given that the vehicles travel around 35,000km every year, that’s a lot of petrol saved!

Organic farming is another key feature of Il Borro Toscana, and that includes both the local produce grown and cooked onsite, as well as biological diversity, including beekeeping, which in turn not just produces honey, but also helps with pollination of local flowers and crops.

Processing waste such as olive-pressing residue and materials from chickens, sheep and cows is all reused as natural fertiliser for the crops to grow, helping to regenerate the land with natural resources.

Unique Selling Point

Il Borro Toscana is one of the most unique hotels in Italy, and it is well worth a stay.

Aside from having 1,000 years of history, which is around 900 more than the majority of hotels around the world, Il Borro Toscana is an eco-traveller’s dream. Sustainability is not just a buzzword here, but an active part of the hotel’s everyday operations, from using local produce to reusing waste, and the statistics prove the positive impact that their efforts are having on the land around them.

A medieval village in the middle of a hotel resort is perhaps the most unique selling point when it comes to the hamlet itself, so if you want to truly step back into history, then a visit to Il Borro Toscana is a must.