Relais Sant'Elena

The grounds are full of wildflowers, and the patios have big terracotta pots of herbs and fruit. It was a treat to watch the person bringing our cocktail pick fresh mint on the way back to the bar. Inside, the hotel has a carefully done country-home-in-Tuscany feel. Our room was clean and comfortable, and the body wash and shampoo, made with the hotel's own olive oil, were a pleasure to use. I loved settling on a common-area couch with a macchiato and a fresh biscuit in the afternoon. The indoor and outdoor spaces are comfortable, and the staff made it feel easy to ask for whatever we needed. Meals were simple, made from scratch with local ingredients, many from the estate itself. At lunch on the patio, I asked my partner what the best part of the holiday had been. “Arriving here,” he said, and I agreed. It was such a peaceful getaway, with lovely food and service. We’ve stayed in a lot of hotels, and this was one of the best. Thanks, Sant'Elena, for a real reset. We’ll be back.

Birds nesting in the corridor ceilings and the hotel cats wandering around give the place an easygoing charm. It’s peaceful, with few rooms and plenty of spots to find a quiet moment. You can have aperitivo wherever you like in the evening, and the small gym is well equipped, with a fan for summer. The rooms are lovely and have air conditioning, which is essential in hot weather. The staff are kind and personable, remembering names and food intolerances naturally. Food is locally sourced, with something different at dinner each night. There’s a big wine list, including delicious bottles at lower prices. Breakfast was especially good, with fresh pastries, eggs, cakes, salad, spreads, and more. It was an ideal honeymoon spot and one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at. Bibbona is a short cycle away, and you can borrow bikes for free to reach its bars and restaurants. The whole place brings on an immediate sense of nostalgia. Some guests we met had been coming back for more than a decade. I can’t think of a better place for a holiday.

The birds and two cats made the place feel so calm and welcoming. We also had a pasta-making class with Stefany and Helen, which was a lot of fun. They were sweet and welcoming, and we learned a lot from them. The food at both breakfast and dinner was delicious, and the massage was heavenly, highly recommend it. My husband and I had a fantastic three nights here. It was hard to leave so soon, and we hope we can come back one day.

The best part of our stay was taking mountain bikes along the scenic trail nearby, and I appreciated that bikes were available. The grounds also look lovely and are well maintained. For the price, though, I expected more. The meals were mediocre at best, and I honestly don’t know what food the other reviewers mean. The tiramisu was the biggest letdown. I lived in Italy for three years, in Veneto, and it was the most underwhelming one I’ve had. Our room was average, and despite the tidy grounds there wasn’t much of a noteworthy view. Apart from the grounds, nothing felt particularly special. I’d choose a less expensive B&B with better food and views.