Get to know Borgo Pignano Florence before it opens

A conversation with the team behind one of Italy's most anticipated new hotels

Florence has never been short of great hotels. What it has been short of is a Borgo Pignano. Opening this autumn on a private hillside at the city's northern edge, the hotel occupies eleven historic buildings dating back to the fifteenth century, with five acres of private gardens, one of the largest hotel pools in the city and a restaurant drawing on what the estate itself produces. Intimate in scale, residential in character and completely removed from the crowds below.

What makes it particularly significant to us is the name behind it. Borgo Pignano's estate near Volterra is already one of the most coveted addresses in Tuscany among our members, known for its organic farm-to-table cooking, truffle hunting, wine tastings in centuries-old cellars and a slow pace of life that is harder and harder to find. Florence gives that same philosophy an urban home. We’ve been following this opening closely, and we think it’s one of the most exciting things to happen to the city in years.

We sat down with General Manager Piero Magrino and Director of Sales and Marketing Angela Conte to find out more.

Why did you open another property in Tuscany, and especially in Florence, and why now?

Piero Magrino: Borgo Pignano Florence is a natural evolution of the Borgo Pignano Volterra philosophy. Over the years, our estate near Volterra has built a strong emotional connection with guests seeking authenticity, craftsmanship, nature and a slower rhythm of travel. What we increasingly observed was a desire from our international clientele to experience those same values within Florence, but in a more intimate, restorative and residential way.

Florence felt like the right choice because it remains one of the world's most culturally significant destinations, yet there is still space for a different kind of luxury hospitality: one that prioritises serenity, gardens, privacy and a genuine sense of place over spectacle. Borgo Pignano Florence is not conceived as a conventional city hotel. It is designed as a Florentine retreat, almost a hidden estate within the city.

What makes it stand out among Italy's luxury openings right now?

Piero Magrino: Florence occupies a very unique position because it combines global cultural significance with an exceptional human scale. Unlike larger metropolitan destinations, Florence can still feel intimate and walkable, yet it offers an extraordinary concentration of art, craftsmanship, gastronomy and heritage.

There is also increasing demand for slower luxury travel outside the traditional summer peaks. Guests today are often seeking atmosphere, authenticity and wellbeing rather than simply good weather. Florence is exceptionally well positioned for that evolution because its cultural richness is not seasonal.

Our ambition is to contribute to a more sustainable and emotionally engaging vision of Florence, one where luxury hospitality enhances the cultural fabric of the city while encouraging travellers to experience it in a deeper and more intentional way.

How has the property been designed to feel contemporary without losing its historic identity?

Piero Magrino: The project has been approached with enormous respect for the soul of the estate. The property dates back to the 15th century, and from the beginning our objective was never to reinvent it, but to carefully reveal and restore its identity. Every architectural decision has been guided by authenticity, craftsmanship and continuity with the history of the villa and its surrounding buildings.

At the same time, contemporary luxury travellers expect much more than beautiful interiors. That is why the experience at Borgo Pignano Florence extends beyond accommodation. The gardens, the culinary programme, the wellness offering, the art and the rhythm of the guest journey are all designed to create a deeper connection with the city.

With only 32 rooms and suites spread across eleven historic buildings, the scale itself encourages a more personal and residential experience.

What do you value most about this opening?

Angela Conte: The rare combination of history, tranquillity and cultural depth that the property embodies. It has the atmosphere of a hidden world, deeply connected to the history of Florence, but removed from the intensity of the city.

Over the years at Borgo Pignano in Tuscany, our owner has tried to create places that restore a sense of balance and beauty, where architecture, landscape, art and hospitality exist in harmony. Florence offered the opportunity to extend that philosophy into an urban setting while remaining true to the values that define Borgo Pignano.

The project is not just about creating another luxury hotel in the conventional sense, but in shaping something more timeless: a place with soul, memory and emotional resonance. Buildings like this are not simply real estate assets. They are part of the cultural fabric of Florence. The responsibility that comes with restoring and preserving them is significant.

What kind of experience do you want guests to have?

Angela Conte: The ambition is to create a sense of place where guests feel immediately connected to the beauty, culture and rhythm of Florence, while also experiencing privacy, stillness and warmth.

Luxury today is increasingly defined by emotional quality rather than excess. Guests are looking for authenticity, space, thoughtful service and experiences that feel personal rather than performative. We want Borgo Pignano Florence to feel residential, cultivated and deeply human.

The experience will be shaped as much by atmosphere as by service: gardens that invite people to slow down, interiors that feel layered and lived-in, art and craftsmanship that reflect the character of Florence, and hospitality that is discreet, gracious and intuitive. At the same time, we want guests to engage meaningfully with the city itself, not only with its iconic landmarks, but also with its cultural life.

Borgo Pignano Florence opens this autumn and will be bookable through Little Emperors from day one. For a hotel this anticipated, we expect availability to move quickly. If you would like to be among the first to know when it opens for reservations, get in touch with our team.