Overflowing with rustic charm and evergreen allure, guests of Lupaia inevitably fall head over heels for every cossetting corner of this Tuscan countryside escape. Pair homely comforts with five-star service, and an ever-changing bill of fare rooted in the region’s organic offerings, and you’re sure to keep coming back to the vineyards and olive groves of Montepulciano for more.
The Lowdown
Lupaia is a cluster of converted farmhouses situated between Tuscany’s Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia in Torrita di Siena, just a 10-minute drive from the famed hilltop village of Montepulciano. Nearly four kilometres of unpaved roads, bordered by cypress trees and olive groves, lead you to the property, lending a distinct feel of unassuming exclusivity: only those meant to be at Lupaia will find themselves there. The estate dates back to the 17th century and originally functioned as typical Tuscan podere, or farm: owners Heidi and Christopher Mueller (pictured below) spent years meticulously restoring the property, opting to go designer-free and employing traditional Italian materials like linen, terracotta, and reclaimed wood. Their vision? A hotel that’s at once luxurious and intimate, with all the comforts of a Tuscan family home.
The service is five-star and yet effortlessly laid-back. As guests are encouraged to sit down in front of the fire and enjoy a glass of local wine upon arrival, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that you are, indeed, at a hotel, and not at a friend’s home.
Tell Us About The Rooms…
Each of Lupaia’s 12 rooms and suites is unique, with a distinct decorative style that’s at once rustic and refined. In the Junior Suite Serra, you’ll find a traditional stone fireplace framed by a magnificent four-poster bed, while the Suite Montepulciano and Deluxe Cigna both feature showstopping mezzanines.
Rooms are spread across the main house and four smaller annex buildings, each of which come with a private garden. Sweeping views of the valleys below allow for dazzling displays of misty mornings and golden sunsets, which — in the case of the Grand Suite Vigna — can be soaked up from the outdoor shower.
The modern comforts — TVs, espresso machines, mini fridges (fully stocked, and free, by the way) — are all there, but not on prominent display. Extra-thoughtful touches can be found tucked away in each wardrobe: basket bags and sandals to take down to the pool, and yoga mats for impromptu vinyasa sessions.
The Food & Drink
The main attraction has to be the four-course set dinner menu, which changes nightly depending on what’s in season. The open-plan kitchen allows guests to witness chefs Andrea and Luca work their magic on fresh pasta, local game, and vegetables from the hotel’s garden. Guests can follow the set menu or order à la carte, with choices between eating in the main dining room, the enchanting outdoor courtyard, or even in their room. Lunch is a much more relaxed (but every bit as delicious) affair, as is breakfast, where you’ll be offered both cooked dishes and exquisite Italian pastries baked each morning on site.
Anything Else to Note?
At Lupaia, a literal lifting of the finger is all that’s required to indulge your every whim, thanks to the hotel’s WhatsApp concierge service.
There’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy, both within and beyond the rambling grounds: cooking classes, wine tastings, foraging excursions, mountain biking, and truffle hunting are just a handful of the experiences on offer (there’s also a fully stocked library).
But nothing beats a dip in the hot tub or infinity pool at sunset, enveloped by fragrant herbs and overlooking the rolling hills of Montefollonico — best enjoyed with a blood-orange Negroni in hand.
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