La Bandita in Tuscany

There’s a Tuscany we all know, the one we see in postcards and feeds, made of sweet hills and beautiful landscapes, and there’s the other Tuscany, the one that not everybody get to know.
Because it takes time, and patience.

Photo credit: Enrico Costantini

It’s about the slow living of the small villages in the countryside, the noise of the dishes while preparing the table for lunch, or being able to tell who’s eating pici al ragù today, following the scent through the stone lanes. It’s the Tuscany of the full time residents who enjoys the warm summer breeze sitting on wooden chairs outside their house, and that will say hi after a few nights seeing you walking past their door.

This Nest is the chance to fully savor the Tuscan lifestyle, accepting that, inevitably, you will end up falling in love with this magical place as much as the owner and manager of La Bandita did, leaving his “previous life” to come and live here.

John Voigtmann is a New York-raised international music executive who decided to quit his job and move to Tuscany to start his own Retreat, together with his wife. A few years of researching and renovating later La Bandita Countryhouse came to life – then the Townhouse followed naturally, after 6 years, to explore the life of a small village such as Pienza. This 12-rooms luxury boutique hotel resembles its owners: as travel lovers, John and his wife didn’t want anything like a formal service or standard design.

The Renaissance character is shared with the rest of the village, and the structure was deeply respected during renovation, since no exterior changes were made.
On the inside, the nuns cells – nuns have lived here for 500 years – were transformed into 12 large rooms, the contemporary wooden ceiling and parquet floors meeting the centuries old exposed stone walls. All rooms have a queen size bed, luxury fixtures and a/c. Many have large windows onto the stone lanes where village life is played out daily. From the top floor suites, you have sweeping views across the Val D’orcia to Montepulciano, Montefollonico and Monte Amiata.

Behind the property a private walled garden has direct access to the Townhouse Café, waiting for the guests for lunch and dinner. As it is for the rooms, the concepts of simplicity and genuineness guide the Restaurant, where fresh ingredients are hand picked by the Chef and an open kitchen ensures direct interaction with the guests.

La Bandita is formed by the Townhouse but also of a Country House.

La Bandita Countryhouse is an exclusive 8 bedroom luxury villa with contemporary design, stylishly converted from an old stone farmhouse.
Located inside a nature reserve within the UNESCO site of the Val d’Orcia, La Bandita Countryhouse offers a comfortable and safe escape with total relaxation and privacy. 

Let our friendly staff take care of all arrangements, while you enjoy the beautiful views, great local food and wine, carefully maintained garden, and the panoramic swimming pool.