Il Borro Review: A Smart Pick for a Working Tuscan Estate Stay
Advisors love Il Borro for its working farm and vineyard, restored medieval hamlet, and legitimate equestrian breeding operation—here’s how to book it best.
The medieval village at golden hour, seen from above—the 13th-century hamlet at the estate’s center, now home to guest suites, artisan workshops, and a small church. Photos: Courtesy of Il Borro
There are Tuscan hotels that trade on the idea of a private estate, and then there’s Il Borro, which simply is one.
Set on nearly 2,700 organic acres between Florence and Arezzo, Il Borro was purchased by Ferruccio Ferragamo in 1993 from Duke Amedeo di Savoia-Aosta and rebuilt, roof by roof, into a working farm, a Relais & Châteaux hotel, and—the detail that will matter most to any advisor with a client who ticks the “horse girl” box—a legitimate breeding and training operation for competitive show jumpers.
That last point isn’t incidental marketing language: this is a property where the family itself competes and where a rider can tell the difference within about five minutes of walking the aisle. For clients who ride seriously (or advisors trying to distinguish “hotel with horses”), that distinction is the whole sell—or at least it was during my fall visit.
The rest of the estate follows in the same rigor. At Il Borro’s center sits a restored medieval village dating to the 13th century, once tied to the Medici family, its cobblestone lanes now holding suites, artisan workshops, and a small church with a life-size replica of the Shroud of Turin. Scattered across the grounds are three additional villas and several farmhouses, along with 125 acres of organically farmed vineyard producing a dozen-plus labels under the Valdarno di Sopra designation, a young, all-organic appellation Il Borro helped found in 2011. (Add in the working chicken coop, beehives, olive groves, and a kitchen garden, and the farm-to-table framing here is closer to literal than many similar properties that claim it.)
Here’s what luxury travel advisors should know about booking Il Borro:
Why Travel Advisors Book It
- The seasonal equestrian program is not a resort amenity dressed up for photos; it’s a genuine hook for clients who ride and can tell the difference.
- The estate spans multiple accommodation tiers, from suites in the medieval village to full villas and farmhouse apartments, creating flexibility for couples, families, and multigenerational groups without leaving the property.
- Il Borro operates its own working farm, vineyard, and olive groves, so the farm-to-table story is grounded in an actual, walkable operation rather than a marketing line.
- The estate’s remoteness—it’s rugged and wooded, rather than postcard-rolling-hills Tuscany—appeals to clients seeking isolation without sacrificing five-star service.
Rooms & Suites
Accommodations spread across the medieval village, the main villa, and Le Aie del Borro, a separate cluster nearer the equestrian center. Aie del Borro’s Deluxe Suites, where I stayed, start at 540 square feet, are finished with Tuscan architectural details, and each opens onto countryside views. It’s the right category for a client who wants proximity to the stables and a quieter, less-trafficked corner of the estate over the bustle of the main village square.
For families, Le Aie’s Family Suites, set in the restored La Posta building, offer three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a living room across more than 800 square feet, sleeping up to six, with travertine and fine wood finishes and views toward the Pratomagno mountains. The 13 Prestige Suites split the difference, ranging from 500 to 800 square feet, with bath-and-shower bathrooms, and a warmer, more traditional Tuscan palette.
Village-proper suites are individually decorated and reached on foot or by shuttle, since the hamlet itself is pedestrian-only; advisors booking clients with mobility concerns should flag this. The Villa Il Borro, a 10-room 1854 property with its own Italian garden, is the move for a full buyout or a multigenerational group wanting privacy over village atmosphere.
Food & Drink
Chef Andrea Campani has led the kitchen for years and built the estate’s signature approach: seasonal, ingredient-forward Tuscan cooking pulled largely from Il Borro’s own organic garden. Osteria del Borro is the fine-dining anchor and doubles as the breakfast room; the more casual Il Borro Tuscan Bistro (successful enough to have since opened outposts in Florence, Dubai, and Crete) serves lighter fare on a terrace overlooking the valley. Pomario, the trattoria in the Le Aie area, is ideal for a lower-key pizza night.
The estate’s wine program brings together a dozen-plus labels under the Valdarno di Sopra designation, produced on-site and available for private tastings, cellar tours, and pairing dinners, all pre-arranged through the estate.
Experiences & Amenities
Beyond the horses, there’s no shortage of activities across the estate, ranging from cooking classes, truffle hunting, artisan workshops (jewelry-making, leatherwork, and weaving, to name a few) inside the medieval village, tennis, a driving range, and cellar and art-gallery tours through the family’s wine-themed collection, which includes works spanning Dürer to Warhol.
But back to the horses: Il Borro’s stables hold well over a hundred horses, active and retired, and the family’s involvement isn’t ceremonial. Guests can arrange rides across the estate’s woodlands and vineyards with an experienced guide.
Wellness & The Spa
Spa La Corte handles the wellness side: hydromassage, a Turkish bath, sauna, and relaxation areas, plus an outdoor pool with views of the hills and the village, and an on-site fitness area. The setting leans into the estate’s rural setting rather than a clinical, hotel-spa feel: treatment rooms and the relaxation lounge look out over the same hills and vineyards guests have been riding or walking through all day, which makes it an easy pairing with an active day on the property.
Beyond the core hydrotherapy and sauna circuit, the fitness area supports guests who want to maintain a training routine during a longer stay.
Family & Multi-Gen Appeal
The Family Suites at Le Aie del Borro are the best option for a multigenerational stay, but the farmhouses elsewhere on the estate—some sleeping up to 16 across multiple apartments—work well for larger group bookings that want a private pool and garden rather than hotel-style proximity to other guests.
On the programming front, the estate leans naturally toward family-friendly activities: chickens, sheep, and horses give kids a genuine farm experience, and riding, walking, and vineyard exploration scale easily across age groups.
Sustainability & Accessibility
Il Borro converted to full organic farming across the estate starting in 2011 and now runs on solar, producing more energy than it consumes. The wine, olive oil, produce, eggs, and honey served on-property are estate-grown rather than sourced.
With regards to accessibility, this is a preserved medieval hamlet with cobblestone lanes and no elevators in the historic buildings, so advisors should set expectations accordingly and flag mobility needs in advance.
Location & Access
Il Borro sits in a wilder, quieter pocket of Tuscany than the classic rolling-hills postcard—it’s wooded and remote rather than close to town, about 30 minutes from Florence and roughly 12 miles from Arezzo. The nearest train stations are Arezzo and Montevarchi-Terranuova; Florence Airport is the primary gateway, about 30 miles away. A car is effectively required for guests staying in the outlying villas and farmhouses.
How to Book Smart
Il Borro is both a Relais & Châteaux member and a Virtuoso-affiliated property, so advisors booking through either preferred-partner channel can typically expect the standard package: an upgrade on arrival, when available, daily complimentary breakfast for two, and a hotel credit of around $100, applied once per stay.
For suite selection, the Aie del Borro category—generally quieter than the medieval village—offers strong value relative to the villa-level categories, while the Family Suites at La Posta are ideal for multigenerational groups given limited inventory. As with most estate-style Relais & Châteaux properties, high-season availability (late spring through early fall) tightens months in advance, so advisors should set client expectations accordingly and confirm current blackout dates directly with the property.
