Our greatest discovery this year and a must for anyone looking to explore the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Villa Bordoni is the idyllic creation of David and Catherine Gardner, a delightful Scottish couple who are also the owners of some of Florence’s finest restaurants. The lavender coloured 16th century villa sits above Greve and is reached via a long winding track that passes vineyards and farms and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the town below. With only 11 rooms, you get the impression that you have arrived at an extremely spoiling house party; every evening guests are free to help themselves to salami, parmesan and other little treats laid out on the bar whilst discussing their day with other guests, alternatively there are plenty of secluded areas throughout the gardens and hotel if you want to hide away with a good book.
The attention to detail is quite extraordinary; each bedroom has been lovingly thought out and furnished with an original collection of paintings, antiques and wonderfully colourful linens. Some rooms boast four poster beds, others have mezzanine floors with stylish day beds and every room is subtly equipped with plasma screens, wireless internet and DVD players. The bathrooms are stunning with brightly coloured hand painted tiles from Vietri, vast showers and delicious orange scented products.
The hotel works beautifully in all seasons; during the summer months you can relax by the pool and enjoy dinner in the walled garden listening to the sounds of the cicadas and watching the fireflies dance amidst the olive trees. In the autumn and winter you can curl up in front of the open fire in the library and enjoy a glass of Chianti, or take part in one of the cooking classed that can be arranged on request.
The intimate restaurant is overseen by the charismatic sommelier, Massimo Casagrande and offers an elegant seasonal menu of local specialities. Massimo takes huge pride in the extensive selection of wines which are kept in a cellar carved out of a rock underneath the villa, and is happy to arrange wine tastings and visits to local producers. Foodies should try and plan their visit around the olive and wine harvest in the autumn, and for those wanting to sight see, the hotel is just a short drive from Siena and Florence.
No corner has been cut in the creation of Villa Bordoni and we feel that David and Catherine fully deserve all the success they are guaranteed to have.
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