La Bandita

A 21st-century reinvention of a Tuscan farmhouse, with light white spaces and modernist infinity pool overlooking a Val d’Orcia nature reserve

This place is a breath of fresh air - not just because it’s cooler and breezier up here on the hill above the Val d’Orcia. This is chic urban cool: cubes of clean white space, contemporary furniture (white wood, stainless steel), bold slabs of pure colour (cobalt blue, chilli-pepper, fired-earth). No frills, no clutter, no rough edges and not a hint of wrought iron.

The owner is New York escapee John Voigtmann (a big-shot music exec, he has worked with Christina Aguilera and the Strokes); the raw material was a barn-like house, part derelict, part cow-shed. A creative renovation involving a team of architects – notably Ab Rogers (son of Richard) – turned it into a stylish ‘country inn’ for high-flyers in the slow lane. The atmosphere is laid-back villa party, the design is cutting edge. But La Bandita is rural to its roots. A long dirt track away from the nearest town, its neighbours are farmers, sheep and crete senesi (the curious alluvial folds which helped give these chalk hills World Heritage status). The landscapes, the almighty views, are unforgettable.

Highs

• Clean, unfussy design in the 6 bedrooms – a complete departure from the familiar Tuscan farmhouse look
• Sociable open-plan living spaces with an at-home theatre kitchen where you can see lunch / dinner being prepared
• Amazing panoramas – an undulating carpet of green, gold and umber dotted with fortresses and faraway towns
• All non-alcoholic drinks are included in the room rate
• Stylish infinity pool with outdoor jacuzzi and canvas sunbeds
• Fabulous sunsets and a glittering canopy of stars at night

Lows

• The 3km of track leading up to the house, is bit of a challenge for anything other than a 4-wheel drive … take a deep breath
• The house feels a little isolated – like Brokeback Mountain without the cowboys - and you will need a car
• The sociable atmosphere may not be the best place for hideaway romantic couples, though the charmingly named Pig Sty suite provides complete autonomy