Pienza Hotels

This is Voigtmann’s second property, as lovely and welcoming as his first but located right in the center of Pienza. La Bandita Townhouse used to be the town’s convent—then Voigtmann bought it from the nuns, kept the original centuries-old structure intact, and converted the inside into a place with a state-of-the-art kitchen, high thread counts, and every modern luxury. Whether you stay there or not, make a point to have lunch in the garden. Zucchini carpaccio with parmigiano and taglioni al pesto taste better surrounded by rosemary and lavender bushes.

When Voigtmann and Cohane opened their first hotel almost twelve years ago, they wanted it to feel less like a hotel and more like the house of a great friend with fantastic taste. To say they succeeded would be a gross understatement. La Bandita sits on a hilltop, the entirety of the Val d’Orcia unfurling at its feet—superlatives fail to describe these views. There’s an infinity pool, a bocce court, a poolside bar, an outdoor living room and fire pit: The list of beautiful amenities is too long to list. The chef, Dario Ferrari, is reason enough to come here, as are the beautiful service, the remarkably friendly staff, and the in-room bathtubs. Book the Pig Sty—a freestanding suite that makes it seem like all of Tuscany was just given to you.

For a dose of the Val d’Orcia’s magic, look no further than La Bandita, a tiny little hotel tucked into a hillside in Tuscany. The bedrooms take into consideration every detail: terra-cotta four-poster beds, crisp Italian linens, and, in some rooms, a lime-green writing desk. It’s at once relaxing and sophisticated, not to mention close to Rome and Florence, which are both a two-hour drive away. The wine-tasting capitals and Old World architecture of Montalcino and Montepulciano are also in close proximity, making the hotel a convenient starting off point for longer trips in the region. Service here—perhaps a result of the property’s owner, John Voigtmann, a former NYC record exec and hotel aficionado—is top-notch, and the staff is incredibly helpful, but quietly so, meaning they’re great at anticipating guests’ every need. The infinity pool is just as special as it looks in the photos, too, thanks to the killer view.