Borgo San Giusto

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Borgo San Giusto on Via Salaiola, I wasn’t expecting much. Empoli isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think romantic Italian getaway, you know? But man, this place completely changed my perspective on what a four-star hotel outside the main tourist zones can actually deliver.

The thing about staying here is that you’re getting this perfect sweet spot between authentic Tuscan charm and modern comfort. The building itself has that weathered stone look that screams “I’ve been here for centuries,” but inside – well, they’ve clearly put some serious thought into the renovations. My room had these gorgeous terracotta floors that felt cool under bare feet (crucial during those sweltering July afternoons), and the bathroom was surprisingly spacious with one of those rainfall showerheads that actually works properly. You know how hotel showers can be hit or miss? This one was definitely a hit. The bed was firm in that European way that takes a night to get used to, but honestly, I slept better than I had in weeks.

What really won me over, though, was how the staff seemed to genuinely care about making your stay work. The woman at reception – I think her name was Giulia – didn’t just hand me a key and point toward the elevator. She actually sat down with a local map and marked out this walking route to the historic center that took me through parts of Empoli I never would have discovered otherwise. And parking? Zero stress. They’ve got their own lot right there, which if you’ve ever tried to park in Italian town centers, you’ll understand why that’s basically priceless. The whole check-in process felt more like getting advice from a knowledgeable friend than dealing with hotel bureaucracy.

The restaurant situation deserves a mention too – their breakfast spread was this wonderful mix of local pastries and the usual international options, but what I really appreciated was how they sourced stuff from nearby producers. The honey was from some farm just outside town, and you could actually taste the difference. Dinner service was solid without being pretentious, though honestly, with Empoli’s dining scene right at your doorstep, you’d be crazy not to venture out at least once or twice.

Here’s the thing about this place – it’s not trying to be some glossy resort experience. Instead, it’s offering something that feels increasingly rare: a genuinely comfortable base for exploring a part of Tuscany that hasn’t been completely overtaken by tour buses and selfie sticks. The 8.8 rating makes total sense when you experience it firsthand. You’re twenty minutes from Florence by train, but you’re staying somewhere that still feels authentically Italian, where the morning sounds are church bells and local traffic rather than crowds of tourists. For what you’re paying, especially compared to anything remotely comparable in Florence proper, it’s honestly kind of a steal.

Rooms

• Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Triple Room with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for 3 adults
• Two-Bedroom Apartment (3 Adults) with 1 single bed, 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 5 adults
• Deluxe Suite with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Suite with Whirlpool with 1 large double bed for 2 adults

Reviews

• Gilbert from United States (9/10)

  Beautiful vineyard surroundings with a fabulous restaurant adjacent to the lodging. Great breakfast as well.

• Hannah from United States (9/10)

  Borgo San Guisto was a beautiful countryside B&B. Friendly staff and comfortable spacious rooms. The views of the Tuscan countryside from our rooms was unforgettable. Everything was really clean and the bathrooms were spacious.

• Juho-antti from Finland (9/10)

  Great atmosphere and big, clean room.

• Aynsley from United Kingdom (9/10)

  The pictures on Booking.com really don't do this place justice. We drove over for a wedding and stayed for 4 nights in the whirlpool bath room. The size of the room shocked us as it was far more spacious than it looked, with a separate dressing room, toilet room and bathroom with two sinks and a large shower. We would love to return to this property where we had a fantastic stay with helpful staff, pool readily available and quiet, great breakfast selection, a stunning location and an amazing restaurant on site.

• Cathy from Ireland (8/10)

  Beautiful location set in the Tuscan hills, surrounded by vineyards

• Renata from Czech Republic (8/10)

  Perfect place near Firenze and also Pisa, where you can relax. Everything was OK, Peacefull surrroudings in the middle of vineyards, clean and beuatiful pool. Unfortunatelly the pool is only open until 7,00 p.m. Perfect restaurant (should be booked in advance).

• Anastasia from Germany (9/10)

  The apartment was very cozy, the building is old, but perfectly renovated and the flair of the old italian villa is kept. Breakfast is excellent. There is a restaurant in the same building, which is extremely to be recommend.

• Dani from Brazil (8/10)

  Location is great, very friendly staff and super flexible with check in/out, convenient parking. Loved the view from our window.

• Zoltán from Hungary (8/10)

  Great room and very good breakfast. Friendly staff.

• Christopher from Sweden (9/10)

  Nice place with a faboulous restaurant

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities