A Wonderful Revelation: Castello Banfi Il Borgo - Hotel Review

The Perfect Song

One (feat. Frank Sinatra) by Logic

Best Room

Riserva Suite “Armonia”

Best For

A bunch of very good friends or couples seeking for a picture-perfect introduction to the world of Brunello

Montalcino doesn’t only have a sounding name and prestigious location, it is also home to Brunello and some of Tuscany’s most renowned hotels. Directly linked to the origin of Brunello is the name Banfi which nowadays is the most remarkable and well-known producer of respected Tuscan red wines. Recognized as the biggest winery in Tuscany, Banfi in its today’s form (at the location of Castello Poggio Alla Mura) was founded by John and Harry Mariani in 1978 who successfully exported Lambrusco to the US. Over the years, the Mariani family invested a lot of money and time in the research of grape clones for the perfect Brunello which is a unique process of development not just for the Banfi wines but for other local wine producers. As exciting as the evolution of the perfect wine is the introduction of a hotel on-site at the estate a few years ago. Castello Banfi Il Borgo can be described as the perfect overnight dream for wine enthusiasts and luxury hotel lovers with a passion for wine

“You should be cautious who you go with, as the intense experience together might have a permanent effect on you both and your relationship”

— TripAdvisor Review, Castello Banfi - Il Borgo, Sep 2021

When planning your vacation, you want to make sure to come home with fond memories and unforgettable moments. So whenever we plan our trips, we look for unique properties with a very personal touch and the possibility to have a great and relaxed time. Castello Banfi boasts both, a comfy boutique hotel in a unique location as well as access to great wines thanks to its winery. When it comes to us, that’s all it needs for the perfect holiday. After having arrived close to Castello Poggio Alla Mura, we passed by the public parking spot and rang the bell at the main gate for Il Borgo guests. Soon after, we stopped the car in the private parking for hotel guests and were picked up by a golf cart. The lovely bellmen brought us to the check-in which only consisted of a lovely talk with the front desk attendants plus one signature. No paperwork nor time-wasting minutes standing at the reception… absolutely welcome after a four-hours drive from Verona. It didn’t take any longer until we found ourselves in one of the property's most spacious suites. A one-bedroom Riserva Suite was waiting for us called Armonia. Every Suite here has a different name and dedication but all come with a half bottle of Brunello along with a full bottle of Banfi’s amazing sparkling wine Cuvee Aurora. Overall the interior matched perfectly the vibes of the castle and Montalcino area.

To be honest, I am a fan of Relais & Chateaux properties. They have a certain sophisticated level of atmosphere and superb service along with stellar food in unique locations. Surely the highlight of the suite were the two vast bathrooms (as big as my home) and the amazing linen sheets - I can’t remember the last time I had such high-end quality bedding beating even the Four Seasons bed. The living room was made up of a dining table for two, windows overlooking the area as well as a sofa that can be turned into a bed for kids or travel companions, two armchairs and access to the second bathroom with a walk-in shower and double vanities. Bathroom amenities came from Molton Brown and the Shower Gel, Shampoo and Body Lotion was a private grape-based blend by Castello Banfi with a wonderful smell and feeling on the skin. Towels were plentiful and housekeeping did an incredible job twice daily - even prepared the bedroom so dark that waking up at 10 am felt like we just woke up at 2 am. Needless to mention that in terms of noise one could do a hibernation here without any disturbances. After a long gourmet-filled evening and the most heavenly sleep I have had this year, we explored the breakfast served nearby the outdoor pool.

While some hotels do either buffet or a la carte for breakfast, Castello Banfi Il Borgo has both. You can go inside and have a look at the buffet but you are not supposed to take anything as the perfect arrangement is only for visible purposes and the staff will bring your selection to the table. Obviously, the coffee was outrageous just like the avocado egg toast and the pancakes that we had to add for the glamorous touch on our first real morning in Italian Paradise. Soon after breakfast, I headed to the heated outdoor pool with one of the most beautiful views in Montalcino. With the sandstone shimmering in the Tuscan Sun, floating in the spacious pool felt like the best thing to do to recover from the hangover of the night before. I loved that there was ice-cold water, refreshing towels and enormously big bath towels to help yourself after the swim and before the discovery of the area started.

Whilst my colleague arranged the luggage transfer and car pick-up, I was responsible for the smooth check-out and before we even realized it, our time at Castello Banfi was already over. One once said to me, that great moments pass by fast but the memories of these moments stay forever - and that’s what life is all about. Even though we had the most amazing 24 Hours at Castello Banfi, we still keep talking about our time at Banfi Estate ever since. So shoutout to the entire team at Banfi for such a great job - having created unforgettable and long-lasting memories for us. We truly had the best time and will never forget how amazing this place is. Needless to say that we highly recommend this place and once more, instead of seeing the price tag, think of the beautiful time and life-lasting moments you will spend there. Memories are the most valuable thing in life and can’t be exchanged in any currency.