Relaxed, untraditional Tuscan country retreat with stunning views
La Bandita Countryhouse / Pienza / Italy
What do you do after having had a successful career in the music industry, you are dick of your job and you want to do something different? You buy a derelict farm house in rural Tuscany and turn it into a country retreat, of course! This is what American John Voigtmann did. He spent a lot of time searching for the right property unit he found it and renovations could begin. All in all it took 4 years before he could open the doors to La Bandita Countryhouse.
La Bandita is located in the middle of nowhere in Tuscany. The closest town is beautiful Pienza (where he is now running the sister property, La Bandita Townhouse). When you arrive be prepared for a bumpy ride. The last 3 km is along a dusty gravel road snaking its way between tall cypresses towards the destination. But trust me, the drive is worth it.
La Bandita both is and is not your typical Tuscan hotel. It is typical in the sense that it is an old stone building situated at the top of one of those typical Tuscan hills. It is not typical when it comes to the unfussy service or the design which is everything but traditional Tuscan with clunky old furniture and a look of yesteryear. The design at La Bandita is modern and almost spartan with the odd pop of color.
From the hotel you have amazing views of the surrounding landscape and the famous rolling hills of Tuscany. The best place to enjoy it from is either in one of the loungers by the pool or by the outdoor fire place while the sun is slowly setting. Magical!
After 3 km on bumpy gravel roads lined by cypress trees, you have arrived!
La Bandita is situated in the most beautiful of surroundings. Classic Tuscany!
The country house almost looks golden in the setting Tuscan sun.
La Bandita is a traditional, Tuscan stone farm house carefully restored to last (at least) another century.
Our room was pretty discreet when it comes to color scheme and decorations…
…except for our shower that was pained in powerful blue. The in-room products are from Sicilian brand Ortigia.
Everything looks great in the golden hour.
Aaaah… the pool. I always say yes to a pool with a view.
This was our favorite spot in the afternoon, to sit under the pergola, with something cold to drink and something good to read. My definition of the perfect afternoon.
There is a sunken fire pit in the garden where the light a fire in the evenings. A perfect spot for stargazing.
We were lucky to stay during pizza night. The goodies that came out of this oven…
…looked something like this. This was the first time ever I had pizza with pumpkin flowers, but not the last.
Me enjoying a morning dip in the pool and trying to absorb the views.
And after morning dip comes breakfast. Cappuccino and brioche… Yum!
There are so many beautiful towns and villages to explore within short distance from La Bandita. This is me strolling around in the alleys of Montepulciano.
We just had to stop at one of the many sunflower fields to take photos. Love the Italian name of this flower, girasole which means sun turner.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…if you want to connect with the other guests that are staying at the same hotel as you. This hotel is created for you to feel like you are staying with a friend together with other friends so mingling with the others are almost mandatory.
My favorite thing about this place…
…was the communal dinners, regardless of if it is pizza night and they fire up their traditional pizza oven or if it is more ”formal” 4 course affair. To sit under the pergola enjoying the exquisite Italian home cooked food felt like a dream.
The quality booster…
…to me was that there where fridges, both by the pool and in the hotel where you could help yourself to complimentary water, beer and soft drinks. It is a great quality booster in my book. Not a massive cost for the hotel but it feels like a very generous gesture for us guests.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…to pop into nearby Pienza. There are many beautiful towns in this neck of the woods, but I think this is one of (or maybe even THE) most beautiful. Small, picturesque and oh so very Tuscan.
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