Tenuta San Pietro is everything a Tuscan hotel should be: intimate, with a mouthwateringly fantastic restaurant and homegrown wine, plus a terraced garden of flowering shrubs and tubs of roses, surrounded by 500 olive trees and 2000 vines, close to historic and cultural towns. Add a dash of modern design, a divine pool with long views of the Garfagnana mountains beyond, and you’ve got something a little bit special. Nestling in a hamlet in hills to the north of the gorgeous town of Lucca, it's a hidden gem, much like the region itself. This is Tuscany without the tourists, but you're still only 40-45 minutes from Pisa and Florence. We were struck by the peace, enhanced by beautiful birdsong and church bells.
Tenuta San Pietro is owned by a Norwegian family, so the heavy fabrics and Baroque gilding found in so many Tuscan hotels have given way to a more minimalist, Scandinavian-influenced sensibility in this 10-roomed hotel. We loved the wooden floorboards, exposed original brickwork and design details like an iconic scarlet lip sofa in the reception. Food is a real highlight - despite only opening a few nights a week, the hotel’s restaurant draws diners from miles around and is regularly booked out in the summer months. As well as a restaurant, there’s a light-filled lounge and sociable terraces overlooking the olive tree-studded grounds and orchards.
Highs
- Located in unspoiled Tuscan countryside, yet only a short drive from the lovely town of Lucca
- The food. The New York Times called this region the best in Italy, and the cuisine here is excellent
- Wine buffs will love exploring the excellent fattorie nearby on tasting tours
- Warm and attentive staff who make you feel right at home
- The view from the pool of the rolling Italian hills is exactly what you come here for
Lows
- The restaurant is only open Thursday-Saturday for dinner, and the nearest alternatives are a drive away
- You ideally need a car and Sat Nav - it's not that easy to find
- It's an intimate hotel and sound travels between rooms
- Summer weekends can get booked up by weddings
- Décor is a little dated, but rooms are perfectly clean and comfortable
Best time to go
Tuscany is a popular destination but it does have seasonality: spring is warm with wildflowers but chilly nights; summer can be hot (and there are often wedding parties booked in); autumn brings the grape harvest and the olive harvest. We'd recommend April-June and September-October. The hotel is closed November-March.
Our top tips
It's worth taking one of the Superior rooms as they have that wonderful view, or splurge on a Suite for more privacy with your own garden (and the view!).
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 rooms
- Breakfast + restaurant (open Thurs-Sat)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Tenuta San Pietro’s appeal is in the lighter touch to its décor as well as its service and fine food. The 8 rooms and 2 suites are all individually designed with muted decor. Splashes of colour are in the paintings by estate’s Norwegian owner. The kingsize beds are a highlight - each brought over especially from Norway - which can be set up as twin beds; some have quirky looping metal bedheads. In the light modern bathrooms you’ll find power showers and lightly-scented toiletries.
All rooms are similarly sized. Four Superior Doubles (including Bellavista where we stayed on our latest revisit) overlook the valley and mountains with fantastic views; the remaining four Deluxe Doubles have mountain views, and being near the (minor) road can get some noise (all are double-glazed). The two Suites are in a separate renovated barn also on the road, but face the valley and are steps above the pool, ideal for families and honeymooners. Expect wood-beamed ceilings, wooden floors, a master bedroom, living room with sofa-bed and spacious bathroom apiece. You also get a little hedged garden with outdoor seating if staying in Leccino.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
Eating
The restaurant is a huge draw but only opens for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so plan your visit accordingly. Olive groves surround Tenuta San Pietro, so unsurprisingly the olive oil is delicious and celebrated by the superb team of chefs. Expect seasonally influenced traditional dishes with flair sourced from local producers: turbot with olives and capers, slow-cooked guinea fowl, artichoke and clam risotto, homemade pasta with milk-fed pork, and divinely presented desserts. The hotel produces its own wine, too, so save room for a glass or two. Dinner is served either in the upstairs dining room or outside on the twinkly-lit terrace - both have those long valley views; you'll need to book regardless of season.
For breakfast, you'll order from a small menu of continental staples, like croissants, fresh fruit, cold cuts, yoghurts and juices. If not out for lunch you can choose from a selection of cold plates from the light bites menu. There are plenty of options in Lucca and nearby; there are two restaurants a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel, otherwise it's a windy 7km drive to more options.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Kids' meals
- Organic produce
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Drive to the gorgeous walled town of Lucca and wander its Renaissance-era city walls, browse boutiques and food stores, enjoy gelato and coffee in its ancient Roman amphitheatre turned piazza
- Some of Lucca's medieval basilica churches date back to the 8th century, including the Duomo di San Martino
- Follow the wine road for the most important local producers. A guided tour and transport can be arranged by the hotel; Terre del Sillabo and Sardi Giustinaiari have been recommended, we especially loved Tenuta di Valgiano
- The goats cheese farm up the road is worth visiting
- Nearby country mansions and gardens include Villa Reale, Villa Garzoni's water garden and Lucca's botanical garden Orto Botanico
- Take a day trip to Pisa (40 minutes), for its iconic Leaning Tower and also its black-and-white marble Duomo and frescoed Camposanto cemetery
- Florence is only 45 minutes via the motorway, making day trips there very feasible (check the best places to park before leaving)
- The nearby Alpi Apuane mountains has signed trails for hikers and cyclists - be aware that the winding mountain roads have steep drops
- Visit the Versilia Riviera (30-40 minutes), where you'll find bustling beaches and seafront cafés, perfect for people watching
- Visit Torre del Lago Puccini near Viareggio (30 minutes), the lake and villa where the great composer lived. There's a festival of his music here every summer
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
Although this is a quiet adult oriented hotel, families are made very welcome and kids will enjoy the pool. Older kids may find the place too quiet for them. The suites are ideal as family rooms, children under three stay free if sleeping in a cot; there are 4 cots available on request. Older children can stay in a pull-out bed (additional cost per night).
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Suites sleep four apiece and can take a couple of extra beds plus a baby cot. All rooms can take a baby cot, Superior rooms can take an extra bed
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
- 4 baby cots
- 2 high chairs
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
The chef can create smaller portions of dishes on request, and they can suggest kid-friendly dishes too
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Pigs
Families Should Know:
The pool area is enclosed. The hotel is beside a quiet country road
Distances:
- Airport: 40 minutes (Pisa)
- Hospital: 20 minutes
- Shops: 10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Tenuta San Pietro is situated 7km outside the pretty Tuscan town of Lucca.
By Air
Most people fly to Pisa, which has lots of international flights, then drive. There are also some flights to Florence Peretola airport. Clink on the links below for more details. The hotel can arrange airport transfers.
By Train
There are train lines between Florence and Lucca and between Pisa and Lucca. Taxis and shuttle buses are available at the station.
By Car
Most guests arrive by car and we do recommend having a hire car when staying here, as it is in the countryside 7km outside Lucca. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent upon confirmation.
More on getting to Italy and getting around
Airports:
- Pisa 35.0 km PSA
- Florence 60.0 km FLR
Other:
- Beach 35.0 km
- Shops 7.0 km
- Restaurant 7.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape