Uncover Borgo Beccanella's Hidden Tuscan Charm: Asciano's Best-Kept Secret?
Uncovering Borgo Beccanella: Is Asciano's Secret Really Worth the Hype? (Spoiler: Mostly, Yeah!)
Okay, so let's be real. Finding a "best-kept secret" in Tuscany feels a bit like searching for a hen's teeth-sized truffle – everyone claims to know one. But Borgo Beccanella? Well, that hotel in Asciano… that one genuinely had me intrigued. After all the meticulously planned itineraries and endless scrolling, I was ready for some real, imperfect, travel. And boy, did I get it.
Accessibility: The Good, The Confusing, and The "Almost There"
First off, I need to give a shout-out for trying. Borgo Beccanella does offer facilities for disabled guests, and that immediately gets high marks in my book. There's an elevator, which is crucial, and the website paints a pretty picture of accessibility throughout. However, my experience wasn't completely seamless. While the main areas are generally welcoming (with ramps where needed), navigating some of the cobblestone walkways around the property posed a bit of a challenge for anyone relying on a wheelchair or with mobility issues. Still, it’s a step above what I've seen at other places and the staff really went above and beyond to help.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Thankfully, yes. The main restaurant and bar are readily accessible.
Internet – When "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Actually Means It Works
Okay, this is HUGE for me. I’m a work-on-the-road type. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms isn't just a checkbox here; it's a promise kept. And the speed! Forget those agonizing hotel wifi lags. I was able to video conference without embarrassing buffering, which, for internet-dependent nomads like myself, is a godsend. Internet [LAN] options are also available (because I hear you, tech purists!). Internet services are obviously well implemented. This is a huge win.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Where the "Borgo Charm" Really Shines (and a Few Little Gripes)
Right, let's get to the good stuff: relaxation. Borgo Beccanella is all about leaning into that Tuscan bliss. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is, frankly, stunning. That Pool with a view? It's Instagram gold. The views over the rolling hills of the Siena region are truly breathtaking, and I spent a glorious afternoon just lounging, sipping Aperol spritzes (thanks, Poolside bar!), and pretending I was a character in a Merchant Ivory film.
The Spa area is decent enough. There's a Sauna, a Steamroom, and options for both Body scrub and Body wrap. I went for a massage. It was fine. Not the best massage of my life, but perfectly acceptable and relaxing. (Maybe I'm just picky about my massages. Sue me!)
Fitness Center: It's good. But if I could offer a suggestion? I'd replace the treadmill with a proper elliptical. Just me?
The Food, Glorious Food! (Or, the Ups and Downs of Tuscan Cuisine)
The food is a mixed bag. I'm going to be brutally honest. The concept is amazing. A la carte in the restaurant, several restaurants, a Buffet in restaurant, Asian cuisine options, Western cuisine… It all sounds fantastic. And some of it is. The breakfast [buffet] is a solid start to the day, with fresh pastries, a good selection of cheeses and meats, and that perfect Tuscan coffee that I am now addicted to. The breakfast takeaway service deserves a shout out, it's a great touch. The Coffee/tea in the restaurant is good, and the Happy hour is a nice time to unwind.
Now, the "but"… The Asian breakfast was a bit… off. It felt a little out of place in a Tuscan setting. The Vegetarian restaurant - I don't remember seeing one. The desserts in restaurant were… okay. I've had better tiramisu, let's just say that. I felt the menus were almost too ambitious - attempting a bunch of things without necessarily excelling at them all. But hey, that's part of the charm, right?
There's also a Snack bar, which is perfect for grabbing a quick bite.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe-ish (and Appreciating the Effort)
Post-pandemic travel is weird. You're constantly judging the cleanliness. Borgo Beccanella gets major props for its commitment to safety. Daily disinfection in common areas, Anti-viral cleaning products, and Staff trained in safety protocol – it's all there. I especially appreciated the Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. Room sanitization opt-out available -- good. Hand sanitizer everywhere. The hotel is clearly taking this seriously. I was definitely feeling a lot happier than I'd thought.
Daily Housekeeping and the Hot water linen and laundry washing are also signs of good hygiene practices. Individually-wrapped food options are a nice touch. Everyone's wearing masks!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Quick Word on the Culinary Landscape
Restaurants: Plural! That's a good sign.
Bar: A very pleasant one, indeed. Serving those Aperol Spritzes.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential!
Poolside bar: See above. Glorious.
Room service [24-hour]: Yes, thankfully.
Snack bar: Useful for a quick fix.
Services and Conveniences: The Unexpected Perks (and the Slightly Less Impressive Bits)
The Facilities for disabled guests are there, and while not entirely perfect, they're still appreciated.
The Concierge was helpful, but not particularly chatty.
Currency exchange: Nice to have.
The Dry cleaning and Laundry service were lifesavers.
Luggage storage: Yup.
Meeting/banquet facilities: Present and accounted for.
Safety deposit boxes: Always a good thing.
Terrace: Lovely.
Wi-Fi for special events: Helpful.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But Not Over-the-Top
Babysitting service: Good.
Family/child friendly: Yes. But it's not a kids' resort. It's more of a place where children are welcome, but the focus is still on relaxation and enjoyment for adults.
For Your Room: What You Can Expect
My room? Well, it was comfortable.
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet: Nice.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathrobes: Yes.
- Bathroom phone: Who still has these?!
- Bathtub: Luxurious.
- Blackout curtains: Sleeping in is delightful.
- Carpeting: Standard.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: A must.
- Complimentary tea: Yay.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes.
- Desk: Great for working.
- Extra long bed: Excellent.
- Free bottled water: Appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Needed.
- High floor: Nope, but it was still nice.
- In-room safe box: Necessary.
- Internet access – LAN: Very good for the professional.
- Internet access – wireless: Huge win!
- Ironing facilities: Needed.
- Laptop workspace: Perfect.
- Linens: Soft.
- Mini bar: Standard.
- Mirror: Yes
- Non-smoking: Thank god.
- On-demand movies: Didn't bother, Tuscany is the movie.
- Private bathroom: Needed.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Convenient.
- Satellite/cable channels: Didn't use.
- Scale: Don't look.
- Seating area: Nice.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Essential.
- Socket near the bed: Convenient.
- Sofa: Great after a long day.
- Soundproofing: Essential.
- Telephone: Yes.
- Toiletries: Basic.
- Towels: Plentiful.
- Umbrella: Useful.
- Visual alarm: Not needed by me, but good to know it exists.
- Wake-up service: Worked.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yay!
- Window that opens: Yes.
The Little Quirks That Made It Memorable
The overall vibe? Relaxed, friendly, and just a tad bit quirky. The staff were lovely, even if
Victoria House Frederiksted: Your Caribbean Dream Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your glossy, brochure-perfect Tuscan dream. This is me in Borgo Beccanella, Italy. And things are about to get gloriously messy.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic (Plus Some Olives)
- Morning (like, REALLY morning): Flight from… somewhere. Let's just say it involved a screaming baby, questionable airport coffee, and a lingering fear that I'd forgotten my passport (I hadn't, thankfully). Landed in Florence. The air. Oh. My. God. The air. It smelled like… something. Italian air. Beautiful.
- Midday: Train to Siena. Then, the (pre-ordered! Hurrah!) taxi. Driving through the Tuscan hills? Absolutely breathtaking. My jaw was glued open like a toddler's with an ice cream cone. The driver, bless him, kept pointing at things, babbling in rapid-fire Italian. I caught about 10% of it, but mostly just smiled and nodded. This is going to be my M.O. for the week. "Si! Bellissimo! Grazie!"
- Afternoon: Arrived at Borgo Beccanella. Wow. Seriously, wow. The photos online don't do it justice. It's like stepping into a fairytale. And then, I had a mini-panic attack. Where's the key? Where do I even go? Found the reception, flustered, sweating slightly (it was hot!), and convinced myself everyone was judging my (clearly inadequate) Italian. The lovely woman at reception smiled, handed me the key, and somehow made me feel like I wasn't a complete idiot.
- Late Afternoon: Found the villa. Unpacked. Then, the real work began: trying to figure out the espresso machine. It defeated me. (Note: I'm a caffeine addict.) Sat on the terrace, defeated, eating olives. Seriously, people. The olives. They're like tiny, salty, green explosions of deliciousness. Ate an entire jar. Regretted it slightly later. But mostly, no regrets.
- Evening: Dinner at the on-site restaurant. Ate pasta. (Obvs.) Drank wine. (Obvs.) The pasta was so good, I think I cried a little. Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was the beauty. Maybe it was the sheer relief of not having to cook. Felt the first whispers of contentment. This could be good…
Day 2: Siena & The Lost Gelato
- Morning: Siena! Dragged myself out of bed (jet lag is a cruel mistress). Siena is, well, it's stunning. The Piazza del Campo? Seriously, you could stage a gladiator fight there! (Wait, did they actually do that?) Wandered the narrow streets, got gloriously lost (which is pretty much my travel superpower). Bought a ridiculously oversized hat. Questioning my life choices with that hat.
- Midday: Gelato time! Ordered a double scoop of something that looked like green pistachio heaven. Took one glorious bite. BLISS. Then… Disaster. Tripped (gracefully, as always), and my gelato went splat. RIGHT ON THE COBBLESTONES. Stood there, mortified, surrounded by giggling children and judgmental pigeons. Bought another one. Ate it. More cautiously this time.
- Afternoon: Visited the Duomo. Honestly, my brain nearly exploded from the sheer artistry. The marble! The details! The sheer grandeur! Spent ages just wandering around, gawking. Took approximately 1 million photos. (Probably won't look at most of them later.)
- Evening: Back at the villa. Tried the espresso machine again. Failed. Again. Decided to drink wine instead. Ate some bread and cheese (my emergency rations). Tried to read a book. Fell asleep.
Day 3: The Tuscan Countryside & A Near Disaster (Involving a Sheep)
- Morning: Rented a car! (Fiat 500, naturally. Because I'm living a cliché, and I’m completely fine with it.) Drove through the Tuscan countryside. Seriously, people, the hills. The vineyards. The cypress trees. It's like a painting you can drive through. Felt completely overwhelmed by beauty.
- Midday: Found a tiny town. Ate lunch at a trattoria. (More pasta! Surprise!) The waiter was charming, though 70% of the conversation was lost on me. Managed to order something that wasn't entirely what I expected, but it was delicious anyway.
- Afternoon: Drove up a ridiculously winding road (my Fiat was sweating). Stopped to take photos. Spotted a sheep. A very large, very fluffy sheep. Decided to take a picture with the sheep. Got a little too close. The sheep looked up, gave me a withering stare, and let out a guttural bleat that sounded remarkably like "BACK OFF, LADY!" Scared the bejeezus out of me. Scrambled back into the car, heart pounding. Realized my mistake. Sheep were not to be trifled with.
- Late Afternoon: Found a vineyard. Wine tasting! (This is my kind of day.) The wine? Divine. The woman running the tasting? Even better. She poured glasses generously, told hilarious stories, and taught me a bit about the process. Walked away slightly tipsy, and with a newfound appreciation for Tuscan wine.
- Evening: Dinner at a local Osteria. Ordered something with truffle. It was… an actual taste of heaven. Actually, I think I might have wept a little bit. Possibly the best meal of my life.
Day 4: Cooking Class Catastrophe (and Triumph!)
- Morning: Cooking class! I'd booked a cooking class! In Italy! I envisioned myself gracefully tossing pasta, kneading dough like a seasoned nonna, and creating culinary masterpieces. The reality? Far from it.
- Midday: Arrived at the class. The chef, bless her heart, was incredibly patient. We started with pasta making. Disaster. My pasta resembled something that had been stepped on by a herd of elephants. Dough everywhere. Sauce splatters. The other people in the class, all Italians, were basically making pasta from scratch, while I was fighting with a lump of dough. I looked at my disaster. I looked at their perfect creations. I felt a wave of intense shame wash over me.
- Afternoon: The chef, with a kind smile, basically rescued my pasta. She showed me the secrets. I struggled. I sweated. I eventually managed to shape a few pathetic, but edible, ravioli. And then, a miracle happened. We made a simple tomato sauce. I tasted it. And… it was good. Really good. I’d made it! And finally I wasn't ashamed.
- Evening: Ate our creations (and the chef's). My ravioli was a bit lopsided, but I made it. Had a quiet moment of triumph. And wine, lots of wine. Because, well, Italy.
Day 5: Exploring…and a Little Bit of Existential Dread
- Morning: Explored another, smaller town. Did some shopping. (Bought more olives. And a leather bag I absolutely did not need – my wallet’s going to hate me later.)
- Midday: Found a hidden café. Sat outside, sipped an espresso, and watched the world go by. Started to feel a strange sense of peace, then, promptly, a wave of existential dread. Why was I here? What was I doing with my life? Was I happy? It’s a lot to take in when you’re surrounded by beauty. But I took a deep breath and decided to enjoy the moment.
- Afternoon: Back at the villa. Stared at the view from my terrace. Meditated (briefly). Considered taking a nap. I felt tired. But I wasn’t ready for this journey to come to an end.
- Evening: Pizza night! (Because, again, Italy.) Ordered way too much pizza. Ate it. Regretted it slightly. But also, not really.
Day 6: Saying Goodbye to Perfection (And Embracing the Mess)
- Morning: One last visit to Siena. Wandered the streets, soaking it all in. Said goodbye to my favorite gelato shop.
- Midday: Packed. Pretended to know how to operate the espresso machine. Failed. Again. Ate some bread and cheese.
- Afternoon: Started getting ready to leave. Did the dishes. Left the villa. Got my taxi, gave a great big hug to the woman at reception, and prepared to make my way to my next destination.
- Evening: Contemplating the plane ride home. This wasn't the perfect trip I'd imagined. There were moments of frustration, of awkwardness, of complete idiocy. But those were the moments that made it memorable. In their own messy way. This trip was definitely an adventure that taught me a lot. And I'm definitely going to miss the olives. And this time, I think I'm ready.
Day 7: The Long Ride Home (a.k.a. the day I swear I'm coming back)
- I flew out of Florence. I'll be
Uncover Borgo Beccanella's Hidden Tuscan Charm: Asciano's Best-Kept Secret? (Or Maybe Not So Secret After All… My Thoughts!)
So, what *exactly* is Borgo Beccanella? Sounds…fancy.
Okay, so picture this: rolling Tuscan hills, the kind you see on postcards, but *real*. Sun setting golden, a glass of Chianti in hand… that’s where we’re at, folks. Borgo Beccanella isn't just a hotel; it's, well, it *claims* to be an authentic slice of Tuscan life. It's a collection of converted farmhouses, beautifully (and I mean *beautifully*) restored, nestled near the charming town of Asciano. Think exposed beams, terracotta floors, that whole rustic-chic vibe. They’ve got a pool, a restaurant, the works. Fancy-ish, yes, absolutely. But… that’s not the whole story. More on that later.
Is Asciano really 'charming'? I've heard that word a million times.
Look, I'm a cynical human being. Anything described as "charming" usually sends shivers down my spine. But Asciano? Yeah, it actually *is* charming. It's not overrun with tourists (thank the gods!). It's got a lovely little piazza, a few good restaurants, and that sense of… well, *slowing down*. It's the opposite of some hectic tourist trap. We stumbled upon a local market and it was a blast! I even tried to haggle (badly) for some pecorino. The woman just laughed at me... in Italian, obviously. Charm, yes. Overwhelming? Absolutely not.
The food! Tell me *everything* about the food!
Alright, food. This is where things get *interesting*. The restaurant at Borgo Beccanella… initially, I was a bit skeptical. You know, fancy hotel restaurant, usually overpriced and underwhelming. But... it was pretty darn good! They used, or so they claimed, all local ingredients. We had the pici pasta with wild boar ragu, and honestly, my tastebuds nearly did a celebratory jig. The wine list? Extensive, obvs. I might have sampled a little *too* much Chianti Classico… the view from the terrace didn't hurt either. *That* was pretty much perfect. I remember thinking, "This is it. This is what dreams are made of," before promptly spilling red wine down my shirt. Ah, perfection is always fleeting, isn't it?
What about the rooms? Are they…clean?
Yes. Clean. Spotlessly, meticulously, OCD-level clean. The bathrooms were practically sparkling! We had a suite, because, well, why not? It was huge, with a four-poster bed that made me feel like a medieval queen (or at least, a slightly less glamorous version). The only “negative” was the absolute perfection of it all. A tiny bit of dust, a slightly crooked picture… something to make it feel *lived in* would have been nice. Maybe I'm just grasping at straws for a flaw. I am an imperfect being. The entire place reeked of pure, pristine, quiet luxury.
The pool? Is it as Instagrammable as it looks?
Oh, the pool. The pool is the *thing*. The pictures don’t lie—it’s stunning. Infinity edge, overlooking those glorious Tuscan hills. I was definitely snapping pictures. I am not ashamed! The water was crystal clear, and the loungers were comfy. However, the thing is, it kinda got a little crowded. Now, I am not saying it was a *massive* issue, but I just prefer a place where I can be solitary, and have no one to bother with. I still enjoyed it though, but just a note: go early or late to get the full, zen, Instagram-worthy experience. It feels a bit… like it's *expecting* to be Instagrammed, let's be honest.
Is it actually 'hidden'? Or is it like, the most obvious secret ever?
Okay, here's the truth. It's *not* exactly hidden. It's got a pretty strong online presence. Tripadvisor? Instagram? You name it, it's there. That being said, it isn't a party hotel. It's a place for those looking to, well, relax. It's more of a peaceful escape, rather than a rowdy all-nighter. You want a quiet, beautiful Tuscan escape? Borgo Beccanella delivers. The secret? Maybe the lack of HUGE crowds, which is a great thing. It can't be for everyone, and I was very thankful for that.
What's the *worst* thing about Borgo Beccanella? Be honest!
Alright, I promised honesty, so here it comes. The cost. Let's be upfront: it's not cheap. And at times, it felt *too* perfect. It was so meticulously crafted, so perfectly polished, that it kind of lost a bit of… soul? Maybe it was just me. I'm a bit of a scruffy person at heart. A little bit of imperfect charm goes a long way. But honestly, the biggest issue? Leaving. That Tuscan sunshine, the food, the peace… it was hard to say goodbye. The other issue? That sneaky extra bill for the mini bar. I swore I only had two... Anyway, I digress.
Anything else I need to know?
Yes! Pack comfortable shoes for exploring Asciano. And bring that camera! It's a visually stunning place. Also, learn a few basic Italian phrases. The locals appreciate the effort, trust me. Oh! And don't be afraid to just *be*. Sit in the sun, drink your wine, and just… enjoy the moment. Because, despite my minor quibbles, Borgo Beccanella really *is* a special place. And if you can afford it, and you crave a dose of Tuscan bliss, go! Just maybe don't expect it to be a perfectly kept secret. Consider it more of a well-guarded, delicious, expensive secret.
