There’s staying in Tuscany, and then there’s becoming part of it. At Borgo San Felice Resort, a Relais & Châteaux property carved from an entire medieval hamlet, you don’t check in so much as move in. Days revolve around vineyards and stone piazzas; evenings around candlelight and Chianti poured by the people who made it. Meanwhile, cobblestone lanes lead to Michelin-starred dining, a botanical spa, and vineyard views that stretch to the horizon. Every building and every corner feels touched by history.
Location
You’ll find Borgo San Felice Resort south of Florence in the Chianti hills, halfway between Siena and Montalcino, in Castelnuovo Berardenga. The drive from Florence or Siena is scenic: undulating hills, cypress trees, and stone farmhouses that haven’t changed much in centuries. Moreover, the region’s patchwork of vineyards and olive groves is as quintessentially Tuscan as it gets. The resort sits on its own 1,400-acre estate, home to the acclaimed San Felice winery, so you’re not just staying near vineyards — you’re actually sleeping inside one.
Atmosphere
The resort is a village that has perfected the art of living very well. Design choices nod to Siena’s Palio horse race, from the burnt orange and forest green pool towels that unfurl like Palio flags, to the subtle tones woven into the rich textiles, linens and frescoes.
As evening arrives, guests drift toward the piazza for aperitivo, the most social and soulful moment of the day. As the sun softens to amber, various spritzes are poured, and candlelight flickers across the stone terrace. Conversations rise and fall as guests from all over the world gather beneath the beautiful Tuscan sky. It’s a nightly ritual that captures the essence of Borgo San Felice Resort: community, beauty, and an unhurried celebration of life.
Accommodations
None of the 65 guest rooms and suites are the same. They are scattered across the hamlet, each crafted with beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, rich textiles, and marble bathrooms stocked with bespoke bath amenities made from locally sourced botanicals. Additionally, you’ll find plush robes and some of the best hotel slippers ever.
The Spa
In the Botanic Spa, tucked inside a former olive press, every treatment draws from the estate’s surroundings. Grape seed oil, wild herbs, and olive extracts restore balance and calm. Furthermore, the spa circuit includes a heated pool, sauna, and Kneipp path, framed by stone archways and gardens fragrant with rosemary and mint.
Food + Beverage
Here’s where Borgo San Felice Resort really raises the bar. Poggio Rosso, its Michelin-starred restaurant, is led by Chef Stelios Sakalis, whose background includes stints with Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal. His muse is art; his scampi shabu shabu, for instance, resembles a Kandinsky composition—abstract, colorful, and entirely edible. Menus shift with the seasons, and everything comes from within a few miles, including produce from the resort’s own Orto Felice garden. For something more casual, Osteria del Grigio serves Tuscan classics: pici al ragù, ribollita, and a tantalizing bistecca alla Fiorentina that arrives still sizzling on a hot platter.
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s the backbone. For instance, Borgo San Felice Resort supports Slow Food’s Food for Change campaign and celebrates World Ocean’s Day with special menus highlighting underrepresented fish species to combat overfishing.
Experiences
Borgo San Felice Resort curates experiences that are as varied as its guests. For adventure types, it’s possible to tear through the hills on a Ferrari drive or take a helicopter wine tour over Chianti’s vineyards. Meanwhile, romantics can drift by balloon at dawn or enjoy a private aperitif among the vines at the Marchesa’s Hut. Families, on the other hand, love the Picnic in the Orto, where kids feed farm animals and snack on garden vegetables, while art enthusiasts can join resident artist Natascia for painting sessions. Additionally, shoppers will love the on-site boutique, Emporio San Felice, which features curated Italian fashion and home goods. Still, the best memento is the signature Borgo candle, a custom scent that bottles the resort’s aroma of lavender, herbs, and stone, so you can take a piece of the resort home with you.
The Winery
For oenophiles, this place is paradise. The Borgo’s winemaking tradition stretches back centuries. The San Felice estate produces some of Tuscany’s most awarded wines across three regions, including Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Bolgheri. The standout is Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione—a single-vineyard wine that’s earned a place among Italy’s greats. Guests can visit the cellar for private, guided tastings. It’s an immersive way to understand Tuscany, not just as a place, but as a way of life.
FAQs
Q: How far is Borgo San Felice Resort from Florence and Siena?
A: Borgo San Felice Resort about an hour from Florence and 25 minutes from Siena by car.
Q: Is Borgo San Felice Resort family-friendly?
A: Yes. The resort welcomes families and offers activities like the Orto Felice garden experience for children, though the overall tone remains peaceful and adult-oriented.
Q: What experience can I not miss at Borgo San Felice?
A: Aperitivo in the piazza. It’s not just an evening ritual; it’s the moment when the Tuscan ideal becomes reality.
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