Le Lappe

Hotel Guide

What’s the Story

• High above the valley floor in the quietest pocket of Chianti Classico, Le Lappe feels less like a hotel and more like a private aristocratic country estate. Its roots trace back to a medieval watchtower and later a quiet convent. In the 19th century, it was rebuilt as a private residence, where the owner constructed a second farmhouse as a romantic gift for the woman he loved. Today, under the care of the Benini Galeffi family, the property has been meticulously transformed into an 11-suite hideaway surrounded by chestnut groves, ancient oaks, and organic olive trees.

Facilities & Grounds

• Tenuta Pratolino Estate: Set within hundreds of acres of private agricultural lands and olive groves sitting at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level.

• Saltwater Pool & Grounds: A year-round outdoor saltwater pool overlooks sweeping valleys, complemented by private dining setups arranged directly among the olive trees.

• Estate Olive Oil: Critically acclaimed, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil harvested from the estate’s high-altitude olive groves and available for purchase.

• On-Site Activities: Bespoke horseback riding, hiking, biking, cooking masterclasses, private wellness treatments, and personal training sessions on request.

Rooms & Suites

• With just 11 individually designed suites, intimacy is absolute. Standard elements include original terracotta tiled floors, exposed wooden beam ceilings, working stone fireplaces, and bespoke hand-painted botanical murals by Florentine artist Francesca Guicciardini.

  • Studio & Deluxe Suites (e.g., I Lecci, I Castagni, Gli Olivi, Le Ginestre): Spanning 26 to 48 m², featuring four-poster beds, deep-soaking hydromassage tubs or stone showers, minibar, and sweeping forest or valley views.

  • Family Suites (e.g., I Pini): Generous 51–56 m² layouts with separate seating areas, stone fireplaces, and room for up to four guests.

Wine & Dine

• Giardino d'Inverno (Winter Garden Restaurant): Housed in a glass conservatory surrounded by chestnut and cherry trees. At night, light washes through glass walls under a starlit canopy.

• Farm-to-Table Cuisine: The resident chef crafts seasonal, zero-kilometer Tuscan menus highlighting organic local produce, wild mushrooms, hand-rolled pasta, and the estate’s olive oil.

• Breakfast: A daily cooked-to-order spread featuring warm pastries, local cheeses, house-made jams, fresh juices, and pancakes served indoors or out on the sunny terrace.

Dresscode

• Tuscan Chic & Casual Elegance. Think relaxed linen, cashmere knits for cool hill evenings, and comfortable footwear for estate walks.

Budget

• Rates start at EUR 350 per night.

Local Guide

See & Do

• Explore Montegonzi & Cavriglia: Wander the quiet cobblestone alleys of Montegonzi, a fortified hill village just minutes from the property with views across Valdarno.

• Piero della Francesca Art Trail (Arezzo, 45 mins): Head into Arezzo to admire the Renaissance masterworks, including the famous fresco cycle Legend of the True Cross in the Basilica di San Francesco.

• Arboreto Monumentale di Moncioni: Hike through a protected natural botanical park packed with century-old sequoias, giant cedars, and scenic forest paths.

• Private Vineyard & Estate Tours: The hotel concierge can arrange tailored wine tastings, private helicopter tours across the Val d'Orcia, or guided cycling itineraries through Chianti’s gravel strade bianche.

• Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Bargino): A world-famous architectural marvel built into the hillside, showcasing modern biodynamic winemaking and fine dining at Rinuccio 1180.

• Day Trips to Florence & Siena: Both historic capitals are within a 45–60 minute drive, making Le Lappe an ideal peaceful base for day trips before returning to the silence of the Chianti hills.

How to Get There

• Located in Località Rimontoli (Montegonzi / Cavriglia). Approximately a 65-to-75 minute drive from Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) or 90 minutes from Pisa (PSA). Private airport transfers can be arranged through concierge.