“A lovingly and tastefully restored Tuscan farmhouse for laid back holidays and exclusive use. Simple yet beautiful rooms with white walls, limestone floors and beamed ceilings. Private gourmet chef, access to the wine cellar and fantastic swimming pool. Contemporary country hideaway.”
“A lovingly and tastefully restored Tuscan farmhouse for laid back holidays and exclusive use. Simple yet beautiful rooms with white walls, limestone floors and beamed ceilings. Private gourmet chef, access to the wine cellar and fantastic swimming pool. Contemporary country hideaway.”
Hotel Review
Midway between Florence and Rome and just south of Siena is the Val d’Orcia, a region of gently undulating hills covered in rich green pastures. Nestled here between working sheep farms is La Bandita, a boutique B&B tucked away in a converted Tuscan farmhouse. Operating as a B&B with private rooms or a country villa rental for exclusive use, this rural retreat is ideal for a couples' getaway, family break or even a wedding - with banquet catering available on the beautiful outdoor terrace.
Inside, a full renovation means this property now offers modern, minimalist guestrooms, with wood-framed four-poster beds draped in soft muslin. Sofa beds are available which convert the spacious suites into family accommodation, good for parents travelling with children. Inside the communal spaces, wooden beams are painted white which gives an air of freshness, complemented by comfortable white sofas and a generously sized open hearth - the perfect place to come together in the evening during a group stay.
The property offers self-catering when hired for exclusive use, and while the B&B does not operate a restaurant, meals are available upon request. The location is perfect for a quiet country retreat, with an outdoor pool which overlooks the verdant pastures of Val d'Orcia. Nearby, the renaissance village of Pienza and the medieval hot springs of Bagno Vignoni both make excellent day trips, easy to reach by car. In all, this delightful Tuscan bolt-hole leaves little to be desired.
Written by Lulu Townsend
Recommended For
- Families
- Feels like a welcoming private villa with rural charms, baby equipment and endless outdoor space for children to roam around.
- Country Escape
- Watch the sunset over the stunning Val d'Orcia and feast on delicious Tusacan dishes and wine from the owners cellar.
- Sights nearby
- Visit the UNESCO Heritage site Pienza, boasting an enchanting collection of 15th and 16th century buildings and gardens.
- Total relaxation
- Spend your days lazying by the pool, sipping on cocktails and watching the farmers herd their sheep below you.
- Other Activities
- Check out the medieval hot springs at Bagno Vignoni, under half an hours drive.
- Great walks
- The beautiful Tuscan landscape of Val d'Orcia makes for wonderful walks.
- No restaurant
- Lunch and dinner provided in an informal communal way by resident gourmet chef. Private meals can also be arranged
- Sit-out Terrace
- Designer
- Family Suites
- Quiet
- Owner managed
- Remote
- Contemporary
- Boutique
- Chic
- Pet friendly
- Child friendly
- Traditional
- Secluded setting
- Exclusive use
- Luxury
- Four poster beds
- Intimate
- Romantic
- Free wifi
- Views
Facilities
- No restaurant
- Lunch and dinner provided in an informal communal way by resident gourmet chef. Private meals can also be arranged
- Swimming Pool
- Infinity pool with great views
- Sit-out Terrace
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Sauna/Steam
- Internet
- Family Suites
- Garden
- Pet friendly
- Child friendly
- Hot Tub
- Four poster beds
- Wifi
- Free wifi
- Views
Activities
- Sights nearby
- Visit the UNESCO Heritage site Pienza, boasting an enchanting collection of 15th and 16th century buildings and gardens.
- Other Activities
- Check out the medieval hot springs at Bagno Vignoni, under half an hours drive.
- Great walks
- The beautiful Tuscan landscape of Val d'Orcia makes for wonderful walks.
Map & Location
What's Nearby
See What They Say
Why do people love staying in your hotel? La Bandita feels like a rural escape on top of the world, with views over the whole of the Val d’Orcia. Relaxing with a glass of wine in such a beautiful and tranquil setting is what people love most of all.
What is there to do in the area or on site? The great thing is that there is nothing you HAVE to do here, no boxes to tick. Finding a great lunch spot is about as much stress as you should have! But for those who wish to explore the countryside, there are great small wineries for wine tastings, farm visits where you can sample the local cheeses, honey and olive oil, and some of Tuscany’s most charming little villages to wander through.
What kind of breakfast do you offer? Full cooked breakfast is included, featuring also local cheeses, honey and fresh organic sheep’s yogurts.
Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We have an in house chef that prepares a fun and casual nightly dinner party with all the guests dining together at a long wood table.
Which is your most popular room, and why? The Pig Sty suite, a stand alone one bedroom stone cottage with a private garden and beautiful views.
What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? We have several family suites and most rooms can take extra beds.
What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? You’ve stumbled on a cool and comfortable way to experience the best of the Tuscan countryside.
Other Reviews
La Bandita
"Guests are mostly hip and savvy with a high creative quotient – designers, architects, writers – but the welcome from this cool and minimalist Tuscan hotel is genuine and the atmosphere relaxed, so there’s no sense of the chic elitism you sometimes get in design hotels."
Originally published by The Telegraph (view article)
