Strada Provinciale 146, Val D'Orcia, Pienza, Italy | (888) 635-3814
Simple, rustic, hospitality
Charming rooms with wood-beam ceilings and wrought-iron headboards
Big apartments with kitchens and fireplaces available
Restaurant serving local, homemade fare (dinner available upon request)
Pool with gorgeous view on the countryside
Daily cleaning only available for an extra
Not very lively (pro for some)
Heating in winter has a hourly fee
Agriturismo Bonello is a farm stay located a few minutes from Pienza, in the Siena province. According to regional laws, an "agriturismo" must be a real farm offering accommodation, and this structure with eight apartments and rooms is no exception. Agriturismo Bonello is part of a farm that produces mostly cereals, some vegetables, and fruit. Bonello's charming rooms are simpler and more rustic than those at the nearby, more upscale Agriturismo Cretaiole, but Bonello is cheaper and has more property features, including a scenic pool and a restaurant where local dishes are prepared. (Though dinner is only available on request, and mainly during the weekends).
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Scene
A real farm with a view
Just driving to the farm from the main road is a quintessential Tuscan experience: The gravel road is lined with cypress trees, and offers views of rolling countryside. The apartments and rooms are located in a rustic building made of stone. The general atmosphere is that of a real country house -- this is definitely more of a farm than a hotel. The pool has a gorgeous views of the Tuscan landscape, and of the Vitaleta Chapel, a small church surrounded by cypresses that has become a Tuscan icon, often appearing in books and on postcards.
Location
Close to Pienza and to famous wine cities
Agriturismo Bonello is on the road from San Quirico D’Orcia that leads to Pienza. The property is surrounded by the typical Tuscan countryside with hills and cultivated fields. The closest town is Pienza (less than a 10-minute drive), a village considered one of the most significant examples of Italian Renaissance architecture. The location of Bonello is a bit isolated, and some might feel like they are in the middle of nowhere; it's quiet and not too lively, but this is the very reason that many guests come here. But there are interesting destinations within driving distance. The towns of Montalcino or Montepulciano -- where some of the most famous Tuscan wines are produced -- are at less than 30 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Charming, rustic rooms and big apartments with kitchens
Rooms are simple, clean, and homey, with charming rustic details such as exposed brick archways, wood-beam ceilings, terra-cotta tile floors, and wrought-iron bed frames. Furniture and bathrooms are a bit plain, but perfectly functional. For those who need more space, big apartments are are available; some can host up to eight people. Apartment kitchens have burners, fridges, microwave ovens, pots and pans. A few details, such as oilcloth table covers or plastic flowers, look straight out of the home of someone's grandmother. Due to the property's environmental policies, there is no daily cleaning or towel replacement, if not expressly requested (and it costs an extra fee). Rooms have air-conditioning, but heating in the winter costs an hourly fee. Not all the rooms have views of the countryside.
Features
A scenic pool and a restaurant serving homemade dishes
The hotel has a restaurant that prepares homemade dishes with local products. It’s not always open: Dinner is served mainly during weekends. Eating here with a half-board rate is possible, but you have to book it in advance (ideally at the same time you book your room). During summer it is possible to have dinner outside, under an arbor with a view on the countryside. The smallish pool has a scenic location as well, with a view of the rolling hills and of the iconic Vitaleta Chapel in the distance.
