Villa Lena
Villa · Pisa ·
Farm-to-table restaurant, artist colony, organic farm, wine
Information
Strada Comunale di Toiano, 25, 56036 Toiano PI, Italy Get directions
Farm-to-table restaurant, artist colony, organic farm, wine
Strada Comunale di Toiano, 25, 56036 Toiano PI, Italy Get directions
"Villa Lena, which sits on a 1,200-acre estate in Tuscany." - Tom Howells
"In the heart of the Tuscan countryside, just 80 kilometers from central Florence, this agriturismo focuses in equal measure on organic agriculture and the arts. It’s the perfect place to go for a little bit of everything—hiking trails that are a nature lover’s dream, a locavore restaurant for authentic Italian “slow food,” and brilliant artistic workshops for people who want to learn something on their vacation, as well as for those who don’t; the pool is also an oasis for tanning fiends. Rooms for 70 to 80 guests are spread between a large villa for families and groups, two large apartments, and the fattoria, a former horse stables transformed into the main hotel building. Overlooking green fields and the mountains of Tuscany, the rustic fattoria’s ground floor is full of Italian modernist design and artwork selected by Lena, the hotel’s eponymous art collector owner, while the rooms are spacious, with soaring ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and oversized bathtubs tucked beneath a window with a view." - Zoe Dubno
"Villa Lena isn’t just a beautifully preserved villa, serving fine wine and fine food — though it’s certainly that. It’s also a full-on agriturismo." - Mark Fedeli
"Offering an 3 outdoor pools and a restaurant, Villa Lena is surrounded by 500 hectar of wood. The main building is a 18th-century villia, while the other buildings are restored farm houses. It is located in Palaia. The property produces and sells its own wine and olive oil. Free WiFi is available. The accommodation will provide you with a living room.There is a full kitchen with a refrigerator and kitchenware. You can enjoy garden view from the room. During summer months, guests can relax on sun loungers by one of the 3 pools, while there is an external hot tub available during winter. The restaurant serves local cuisine and offers panoramic views. This country house is 38 km from Florence Airport. The property offers free parking." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
"Talk about remote. As we drove along ever-narrowing roads in the beautiful Tuscan hills, we began to wonder if we’d missed a turning for this hidden rural retreat. Then suddenly it appeared. Turning a corner, the magnificent salmon-pink walls came into view, backdropped against a cobalt-blue sky and surrounded by tall green cypress trees. Co-founded by Russian art consultant Lena Evstafieva, Villa Lena is a fascinating hybrid of hotel, organic farm and not-for profit artists' colony. Its 19th-century outhouses have been carefully renovated to create 18 rooms plus 5 apartments and a few self-contained houses dotted across the 500-hectare wooded estate, with spectacular views in all directions. Guests share the space with artists-in-residence, who stay here for a month-long creative retreat, and in return lead diverse talks and workshops. The main pool and restaurant are the heart of everything, a place to all come together and share stories over farm-to-table meals. We loved being swept up in the easy boho vibe of the place; you're continually interacting with the ethos of the Villa, joining debates, admiring donated art on the walls, perhaps listening to a candelit performance in the piano room. A rare find. Highs Inspirational workshops and talks with resident creatives, who may be painters, poets, photographers, conceptual artists, designers, botanists, poets, even meditation dancers We loved watching the mist rise from the valley during morning stretches on the yoga deck Although this is a sociable place, the accommodation is so spread out that it's easy to find peace and privacy if you need it Great for families: the Renacchi apartments share a separate pool and playground, and there's a cinema and games room. Bikes to borrow, too The Slow Food is an explosion of colour and flavour - there are chefs-in-residence, too Lows Remote. Nothing in walking distance and not for those seeking a buzzing nightlife on holiday The children’s splash pool is right next to the main pool and bar area, and excited little ones can get noisy Guests in Renacchi apartments, Casetta Bella and Maison Stento have a 10/20-minute (albeit beautiful) walk to the restaurant, or will need to drive Rates are on the higher side but do include some creative workshops" - Hannah Millbank
