Relais & Chateaux Hotels in Province of Siena

Ah, dearest readers, gather 'round and let me regale you with the delightful escapades of three fast friends who found themselves nestled within the enchanting embrace of Borgo Santo Pietro in the sun-drenched July of 2024. They took refuge in the whimsically styled chambers of San Galgano and Sir Vincent, each a testament to individual charm and allure. Picture, if you will, the hotel itself—a veritable feast for the eyes, as though conjured from the pages of *Bridgerton*. Flowers cascade like whispers upon every surface, fountains flirt openly, and candlelight dances in the shadows. Every corner a lover’s embrace, each inviting soul to indulge in sweet reverie. Behold the noble tree that graces the splendid pool, seemingly shedding its ethereal blossoms into the shimmering waters, as if it too partakes in the enchanting fantasy. The maple’s delicate blooms resemble orchids, floating with a grace that would make the most seasoned debutante swoon. The infinity pool, akin to a secret lake, plunges to a tantalizing depth of 2.4 meters—truly a siren's call for a refreshing dip! And let us not overlook the staff, whose affable charm and impeccable service ensure that every guest is cocooned in comfort and delight. We must raise our teacups to the ever-gracious Alba and Greta, who tended to our every need during breakfast and dinner at the delectable Trattoria. Ah, the morning fare! A veritable triumph for the taste buds, lavishly displayed in a quaint old open kitchen, while the meals at Trattoria Sull’Albero were nothing short of divine. Set against the backdrop of an ancient tree, the view was a feast for the eyes as well. Our expectations, dear friends, were not only met but splendidly surpassed, leaving us wrapped in a cocoon of sheer contentment Yours Truly Lady Whistledown

We tried to organize our wedding at Borgo San Felice this past summer, and, frankly, it was quite the ordeal. From the start, we were limited by the number of guests allowed in their small chapel, and any mention of extra guests caused panic. Then, we were told that everyone attending the wedding in the chapel had to stay at Borgo San Felice, which wasn’t ideal and definitely expensive. But we agreed and asked how many rooms were available, booking them all. A few days later, a dear friend—after I had specifically told her to look elsewhere for accommodation—was able to book a room for several days. How was I supposed to feel about that? I didn’t want her thinking we didn’t want her there. This attention to detail clearly wasn’t a priority for the events department. Next, we hit a major issue with the wedding cake. Their chef refused to make a real four-tier cake unless we had at least 100 guests, which would cost 4,000 euros. That didn’t sit right with us, so we arranged for a cake from Siena for less than 800 euros, which was excellent. However, Borgo San Felice doesn’t allow outside food or beverages, meaning it was their 4,000-euro cake or nothing. But the biggest issue? Borgo San Felice couldn’t accommodate a wedding dinner at all. There was no venue on-site that could host more than 20 guests for lunch (a wedding dinner was totally negative), despite the spacious appearance of the property in photos. When I asked for help finding a restaurant off-site for dinner and dancing. It took 10 days for a response (for 20 people), and we ended up doing most of the work ourselves. Shouldn't a relais chateau have a concirge make a phone call to book a venue? When looking for a restaurant for our dinner party we actually found a last-minute venue that was wonderful, but due to the restrictions, we couldn’t invite many of our European friends, because it was too late. To top it off, they initially refused to refund the rooms when we decided not to stay there. After insistence, they finally agreed to refund 50%, or offered a voucher for 100% of the amount to be used over the next year. A voucher. As if we would ever go. It’s a shame they didn’t immediately offer a full refund after such poor service. In a situation like this, after so many mistakes and miscommunication, have a little class— refund 100% of the cost and offer a free weekend as a gesture of goodwill. In the U.S., these guys wouldn’t survive six months. I’m leaving out many more frustrating details, but I simply don’t have the time. My advice? If you’re not ready to host weddings, just don’t. A once-in-a-lifetime event deserves better, we were leaving a good 30K on the table. Probably nothing for Borgo San Felice.