One hour from Florence, immersed in the most magnificent Tuscan countryside, the one admired by tourists from all over the world, Borgo Santo Pietro appears to the eye like a daydream.
Housed on a 300-acre estate, the baroque luxury hotel offers 5-star service that extends from a 12th-century villa – the central body of the structure – to an organic farm – the pride of Danish ownership – which translates in Michelin-starred cuisine and holistic spa, with the in-house production of the Seed to Skin organic beauty line.
The accommodations have a sumptuous feeling of home. The historic farmhouse is furnished with velvet sofas and worn leather armchairs next to majestic fireplaces, endless carpets and heavy curtains, antique paintings on the walls, candelabras and magnificent compositions of fresh flowers picked directly from the garden. 22 accommodations including the villa suites and widespread apartments with gardens and private swimming pools. Where to find custom-made beds, precious chandeliers and spectacular bathrooms for priceless relaxation.
The feeling of relaxation increases, if possible, in the gardens of Borgo Santo Pietro. Wandering through the courtyards and terraces, you can enjoy the scent of the rose gardens and meditate accompanied by the roar of the fountains. On the hottest days, forget everything by sinking into a lounger by the freshwater pool overlooking the valley. At nightfall, admire the sky full of stars, while sipping a glass of wine. If relaxation seems like too much, take an art class with the artist residency of the month, or meet the “green thumbs” in charge of the culinary garden.
With a farm-to-plate philosophy, Borgo Santo Pietro offers a Michelin-starred dining experience with gourmet restaurant Saporium led by chef Ariel Hagen. The tasting menus are designed to enhance the rhythm of nature and the authentic taste of the products of the earth, respecting the principles of biodiversity and regenerative agriculture that guide the Borgo organic farm. They are presented with imaginative dishes, such as Pappardella al cibreo – a traditional Tuscan sauce based on eggs and non-noble parts of the hen – Snapper marinated with jujube, chicory and miso; or the sweet Lollipop made of sheep’s milk and beeswax. The wine cellar houses around 1250 labels which are expertly combined with the menus. Furthermore, a Rosé (For my friends), a 100% Chardonnay white (For my mother) and a 100% Pinot Noir red (For my love) are in-house products, organic and classified IGT, and tell how the philosophy of Borgo Santo Pietro is all-encompassing in every detail that bears its signature.
In addition to the Chiusdino branch in Borgo Santo Pietro, Saporium has also recently opened a gourmet restaurant in Florence, near Porta San Niccolò, where through the palate it is possible to travel into space and dream of the ancient villa immersed in the Tuscan countryside.
As an alternative to the gourmet offer, in the gardens of Borgo San Pietro another vision appears before the eyes of visitors, the Trattoria Sull’Albero. A restaurant designed around a majestic oak tree, with rustic interiors and panoramic views of the valley’s fields and woods. The classic Tuscan menu showcases products from the farm: freshly harvested vegetables, artisanal cheeses, free-range eggs, home-grown raw ham and zero-mile meat.
The crops from the farm, in addition to delighting the palate, are also transformed into organic beauty products from the Seed to Skin line, used in all areas of the hotel and in the spa nestled among the Borgo gardens, specialized in holistic treatments. The products are made from natural ingredients such as herbs, honey and sheep’s milk, coming directly from the organic farm.
The dream of Borgo Santo Pietro continues with the experiences offered inside and outside the estate. Cooking and artisanal cheesemaking lessons, wine tastings, flower arranging sessions. Furthermore: truffle “hunting”, Vespa excursions and even helicopter trips in search of the perfect sunset.
Leaving Borgo San Pietro through its cypress avenue one has the impression that a dream is ending. But as we know, the most beautiful dreams are never forgotten.
