In the know
- Our favourite rooms
- No prizes for guessing what the Pig Sty Suite used to be – although now its name couldn’t be further from the reality. Opposite the main house, it offers more privacy, and an ingenious sliding wall can turn the open-plan room into a family-friendly two-bedroom suite. In the main building, the two smaller rooms offer soul-stirring sunset views, while the larger ones have sunken baths if you can’t muster the energy to stumble into the oversized shower.
- Packing tips
- Even the most cack-handed artists will be well served with a sketchbook and a box of watercolours: La Bandita’s hill overlooks rolling Tuscan farmland that’s just made to be framed. Bringing a camera would feel like cheating.
- Also
- You can hop on one of La Bandita’s mountain bikes if you feel like exploring the Maremma region – and take one of the loaner hand-held GPS devices with you to ensure you find your way back.
Current offers
- Smith card offer
- A bottle of wine
La Bandita
Tuscany, Italy[view map]
- Style
- Rustic-luxe former farm
- Setting
- Sheep-lined cypress hill
La Bandita is a classic ditch-the-rat-race, follow-your-dream inspiration. Owner John Voigtman threw in the towel as Christina Aguilera’s manager and bought the farm here in the Tuscan hills instead. Truly a labour of love, this smart and homely guesthouse is remote enough to relax you completely, luxurious enough to ensure you feel spoilt, and welcoming enough to keep you coming back again and again – even if it’s just to sample John’s prodigious vinyl collection one more time.
Need to know
- Rooms
- Eight, including one suite.
- Rates
- €250–€400, including breakfast, soft drinks and taxes. You can book the entire property for €11,000–€14,000 a week or €2,000–€2,500 a day.
- Check-out
- Midday, but flexible, subject to availability.
- Facilities
- Hammam, Shiatsu massage, fully fitted kitchen, library, DVD/CD selection, vast vinyl collection (the owner was a music manager). In rooms: free WiFi, flatscreen TV, DVD/CD player, iPod dock, Busatti textiles, organic toiletries.
- Poolside
- You can enjoy sweeping views of the inimitable Tuscan countryside (and its sheep) from the infinity pool or while luxuriating in the heated Jacuzzi that sits alongside.
- Eco-friendly
- La Bandita is located in the Lucciola Bella Nature Reserve and is involved with its conservation activities. Almost all products used by the hotel are organic (including bathroom amenities) and locally sourced.
- Hotel closed
- 5 November to mid March.
- Also
- Small pets are welcome at no extra charge. All rooms are non-smoking.
Food & drink
- Hotel restaurant
- La Bandita has a full kitchen so you can implement your own culinary grand designs, but chef David Mangan prepares a family-style Tuscan dinner three times a week; he'll cook privately by appointment. His pea and Gorgonzola risotto is to die for.
- Dress code
- Forget Armani and Versace; this part of Italy is a land of floaty kaftans and Havaianas.
- Top table
- By night, sit by the pool under a spotless sky of stars; for breakfast, perch on the hilltop and watch the local shepherd bring in his flock.
- Last orders
- A private meal can be prepared for you by the chef at any time, by arrangement.
- Room service
- John, the owner, can arrange grocery deliveries; and other requests can usually be met if he's given sufficient notice.
- Hotel bar
- There's a fully stocked honesty bar on offer, and John has an extensive wine cellar ripe for the plunder.
Other facilities
Smith card offer
A bottle of wine
If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).
Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member
Smith concierge
If you’d prefer to talk to someone, or you’re having trouble booking online, ring our travel team on 0845 034 0700 (+44 20 8987 4312 from outside the UK). We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.
La Bandita
Localita Lucciola Bella
Pienza
Tuscany