Hotel

novanta

Bibbiena, Tuscany, Italy

Tuscan flair can be experienced in the 600-meter-high, 1000-year-old village of Borgo di Gello. The village consists of 16 houses and a church and is surrounded by the mountains of the Casentino forests.

The Experience Hotel started as a 90-day pop-up hotel in 2014 and was so well received by guests - and also by the hosts - that it has been managed by a team of founders and employees since then. The interactive concept of the hotel is above all that guests are invited to be creative and to get involved. You can try the workshop, help in the kitchen or in the vegetable garden. They can also take a variety of courses to learn new things, from making pasta to lunch with a local farmer, looking for truffles and tasting wine. This creates a unique atmosphere and a feeling of vacation that is very special in any case. Individual ideas and wishes of the guests are always happy to respond.

The novanta stands for a vacation in the midst of the beautiful Tuscan nature: whether relaxing by the pool, reading in one of the hammocks, dining outside or a picnic by the river, most of it takes place outside. And an evening stroll through fields and meadows completes a relaxing day.

The team behind novanta has big plans: the surrounding land with fields and forests could be auctioned in order to be able to realize new projects in the future - from new apartments to an organic farm. The vision here is and remains to be an unfinished project that continues to grow and maintain its charm and free spirit. It never gets boring, neither for the employees nor for the guests.

If you like, you can take a look backstage on our blog. A portrait of the hostess can be found here.


Rooms + Rates

per night
Tree housefrom120 €
Double roomfrom150 €
Suitefrom200 €
Cottagefrom250 €

Sustainable

ArchitectureThe houses of the property are 300-400 years old and largely still in their original condition, only a few received a new roof in the 1980s. The authentic Tuscan architectural style can still be reproduced today. The original, thick stone walls naturally cool the rooms in summer, in winter they provide good thermal insulation. The restoration was carried out with local suppliers, with special attention being paid to using old materials again. All rooms are designed differently, the furniture in them comes from second hand or from local shops. Much of the furniture, such as clothes rails or lamps, was made in-house or has been in the house that was abandoned by the residents since the 1960s.

Foodnovanta places great emphasis on fresh, seasonal and local foods and dishes. The meat travels only a short distance, as it comes directly from the neighboring butcher and butcher Fabrizio, whose animals are given purely organic and feed free of antibiotics. Most of the vegetables that are made in novanta come from his farm. But your own garden and a local supermarket also contribute something fresh. All food waste is given to the chickens and leftovers are reused. A recommendation from the chef is "Melanzane alla Parmigiana" or risotto with vegetables of the respective season. Homemade crostata (tarts) are served for dessert. Homemade jam, yoghurt, bread and cakes are waiting for the guests at the breakfast buffet in the morning Limoncello, vegetarian dishes and dishes for people with intolerances are available upon request. The special thing about novanta is that guests are welcome in the kitchen and are allowed to cook. In the cottages there are also kitchenettes where dishes are prepared can.

Permanent employees and alternating volunteers work in novanta. The latter are provided with accommodation and subsistence. Furthermore, you can participate in all experiences. At the beginning of the season there is extensive training for the new helpers. The nice thing about the seasonal change is that new people keep bringing fresh wind into novanta, from which everyone involved benefits. The novanta has created some new jobs in the region and wants to continue to do so. The team also helps local companies to grow and implement their ideas.

EnvironmentThe pure and tasty drinking water provides its own water source. The novanta draws green electricity, separates the waste and only cleans with environmentally friendly cleaning agents. It also tries to avoid plastic. On the first day, guests receive a small tour of the village, which also includes a detailed check-in that explains the environmentally friendly behavior in novanta.

Well-BeingThe offer consists of various massages and cosmetic treatments that employee Meri offers, using her many years of experience and her magical hands. The 20 meter long infinity pool is the perfect way to cool off, especially on hot days. There is also a hot tub where guests can enjoy the view of the valley. A large selection of so-called experiences can be booked additionally: wine tastings, yoga classes, e-mountain tours, an escape room, truffle search, pasta workshops, hikes through mountains and valleys, picnics on the river, river hike, archery and many more.


Characteristics

  • Interactive experience hotel with 18 individually designed rooms
  • The name says it all - 90 instead of 100: an unfinished work that is constantly evolving
  • Originated from the abandoned Tuscan village of Borgo di Gello
  • Fresh, seasonal and local cuisine
  • Lively family life, you are a guest of friends
  • Very wide range of bookable experiences: wine tastings, yoga classes, e-mountain tours, escape rooms, truffle searches, pasta workshops, hikes through mountains and valleys, picnics on the river, river hike, archery and many more
  • Nature and animals combined: two cats, a dog and and wild cows and horses live in novanta
  • The own water source supplies the drinking water
  • Numerous excursions: the nearby towns of Poppi and Arezzo, the famous La Verna monastery, hikes to Pratomagno mountain and much more
  • Also well suited for events, seminars and celebrations (organization of weddings, cooking classes and yoga retreats possible)

Experience hotel18 accommodationsBreakfast, restaurant + own cooking facilities in the cottagesChildren welcomeno WiFino disabled accessPoolPets allowed

Features

  • The accommodations range from a studio for 2 people to a "large suite" for up to 5 people
  • Cottage (for up to 4 people) with its own cooking facilities
  • Full board possible
  • Own vegetable garden
  • Various massages and cosmetic treatments
  • 20 meter long infinity pool
  • Hot tub with view
  • No WiFi, but internet access
  • Collection from the train station in Bibbiena possible
  • 2 nights minimum stay, in high season weekly rentals only
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Rooms + Rates

per night
Tree housefrom120 €
Double roomfrom150 €
Suitefrom200 €
Cottagefrom250 €

Location + Directions

By car

The Noventa is located approximately between Florence and San Marino, in the middle of Tuscany. Due to the numerous excursion options, a private car is recommended. From Florence it takes almost 2 hours to the village of Borgo di Gello (73 km). Bologna is less than 3 hours away (194 km), Rimini is a good 2 hours away (146 km) and Rome is a good 3 hours (255 km).

With public transport

The closest train station is in Bibbiena. Pick-up is possible from there. It takes around 2.5 hours by train to get from Florence to Bibbiena.