Villa Le Barone

Set atop a small hill and surrounded by spectacular Tuscan countryside is the idyllic and elegant Villa Le Barone – a former Tuscan farm that's open from spring to late autumn. With an emphasis on rustic simplicity, it’s far from your generic resort – instead focusing on the basic pleasures of elegant living, simple pastimes sans mobile devices, and eating well. With its thick stone architecture and historical features – including a converted medieval tower and 10-inch heavyset iron keys to match – the villa has a distinct Old World atmosphere. Modern comforts such as heated flooring do bring things into the modern era, though, as do thoughtful touches like fresh-cut welcome flowers from the gardens.Sunsets over the heated infinity pool are accompanied by fantastic views of surrounding vineyards, rolling Tuscan hills, and elegant cypress trees – hands down a guest favorite. The villa is owned by a count and countess, who — despite their imposing titles — are warm and welcoming: the count is a charismatic man who now devotes himself to running the villa with authentic Tuscan hospitality. Wi-Fi is deliberately absent from the public dining areas – the Count insists that the precious ritual of mealtime should involve personal interaction and genuine communication. It’s a fantastic spot for resting and recharging among distinctly Tuscan serenity. The villa wins back many repeat guests for this reason, attracting couples of all ages as well as occasional families from North America, Australia, and Western Europe.  

Villa le Barone sits atop a small hill on the outskirts of Tuscan village Panzano, in the heart of Chianti wine country. It’s exactly halfway between Florence and Siena, making it a good base to explore the area – both are just under an hour’s drive from the villa. Panzano itself contains a few decent restaurants, a short three-minute drive down the hill. The surrounding area is full of local wineries and classic hilltop medieval villages – including the picturesque San Gimignano, about an hour’s drive away. Florence’s airport is also about an hour away by car.

Villa Le Barone has 28 comfortable rooms, individually designed by the Countess herself in an elegant rustic style. All come with modern conveniences including air-conditioning and heating, bathrobes and olive-oil based toiletries, minibars, free safes, and free Wi-Fi. In keeping with the theme of a rustic escape, TVs are absent from rooms to encourage guests to fully disconnect – but can be made available on request. Rooms are different shapes and sizes, with origins as diverse as a former granary, a medieval tower, and a former winery that were all part of the farm. Needless to say, each room has its own character, and some overlook the spectacular Chianti countryside. Though room classifications are somewhat arbitrary, Classic Rooms make up half of the villa and are generally on the smaller side, while Superior Rooms are larger. Junior Suites are spacious and recommended for honeymooners and those celebrating a special occasion, while the Historic Suites feature unique historical details (one, for example, is set in a medieval-era tower). Bathrooms have a classic feel, with modern fittings and comforts including separate bidets. While all rooms accommodate a maximum of two people, many are arranged around a central living area and can be interconnected and booked together for large families. Beds are comfortable, with high thread count linens.

The highlight of Villa le Barone is its beautiful heated saltwater infinity pool, which has spectacular views over the Tuscan countryside and neighboring 16th-century San Leolino Abbey. Attached is a small dipping pool where reading, relaxing, and enjoying drinks is encouraged – guests can visit the poolside honor bar before settling into the water. The villa’s restaurant serves an impromptu seasonal menu of simple, but hearty, Tuscan dishes. This is also the focus of the cooking classes, which are popular with guests. The villa’s local farm produces the olive oil and tomatoes used in the restaurant, along with various meats like wild boar. Half-board meal plans are available, but those who wish to venture out into Chianti can consult the bespoke dining guide carefully compiled by the owners and packed with exclusive local advice. The free breakfast is an abundant spread of hot and cold dishes, all made from locally sourced produce. This includes home-baked muffins, pastries, and croissants; fresh fruit; different yogurts and cheeses; scrambled eggs and bacon. On nice days it’s served on the tranquil terrace, alongside the beautiful view. Calories can be worked off on the outdoor fitness trail, which wends its way across the villa’s extensive, lush grounds with suggested exercises at each of the 12 stations. There’s also a small fitness room with natural light and countryside views, plus a tennis court. The villa serves as an excellent base for exploring Chianti, and car, bicycle, and walking itineraries for discovering local hidden gems have been compiled by the Count and Countess themselves. Free Wi-Fi is offered everywhere except in the dining areas, and there’s free private parking.