I had no idea what to expect when I arrived at the Borgo Argenina.This was my first experience in a B&B. Here was everything I was looking for: beautiful country in the midst of vineyards and olive groves backdropped by hillsides more stunning than any postcards, and a wonderful corner room whose ambience matched the beauty and serenity of the Tuscan culture. The quiet of our surroundings belied our proxity to Siena, Florence and many of the small hilltowns and castles so integral to the Tuscan experience. After days filled with active sightseeing, delicious local eateries and unexpected historical finds, a period soaking tub awaited me every evening. Awakening each morning to a sun-filled breakfast room with a buffet of local treats and specialties of the house, we were greeted by the wonderful,attentive staff. The highlight of my stay was Elena's
cooking class, one of the many ways that Elena went our of her way to ensure that her guests had a uniquely Italian experience. I stayed at Borgo Argenina 7 nights, and I look forward to returning.
Carol

My trip to Borgo Argenina was simply amazing! Myself and several family members (13 to be exact!) spent some time at Elena's over the US Thanksgiving holiday. The setting, the villa, the food, hospitality and attention to detail are second to none. The villa is so warm and welcoming and Elena a wonderful hostess. I was sad to see our time at the villa end. Our cooking lesson was fabulous and the food quite delicious. I cannot say enough about my experience except that I will definitely return.

Our 4 night stay at Borgo Argenina was the highlight of our trip to Tuscany. The rural setting was beautiful, with long distance views. Elena's compound is attractive and perfectly maintained, with flowers all around. Our room was spacious and attractive. Breakfasts were tasty and inviting. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner and wine with other guests the night we arrived, prepared by Elena and served around her large kitchen table. We appreciated Elena's suggestions for restaurants in the area for other dinner meals.

The location was perfect for exploring the hill towns in the Chianti region. We brought our Garmin Nuvi GPS (we called her "Bella Nuvi") with an SD card of maps of Italy and Greece for our rental car and it was invaluable. Even though we had an excellent road map, we would have gotten lost time and time again without Bella. She got confused only twice and if we missed a turn, she would recalculate and give us an alternate route. Two guests at Elena's told us they got rental cars with the GPSs included and neither of the GPSs worked, so we were glad we brought our own.

I would love to say we had a marvelous time at Borgo Argenina, but sadly, that was not the case. I have never written a review with such horrible news. First of all I have to say that Borgo Argenina is a very nice place as far as the buildings and accommodations go. Our problems were with the owner/innkeeper. There were so many issues that caused frustration (to put it mildly), that I decided to list them so you would not think I just didn’t like the owner and decided to write a bad review. So here goes…

1. Upon arrival in Rome from US, I discovered I had lost my ATM card and had no way to get any cash. I did not have a pin number for my credit card to get a cash advance so that was not an option either. Knowing we had 3 weeks in Italy, finding resolve for this was our first priority upon arrival to Borgo Argenina (BA). To begin with, we were a bit confused trying to follow Elena's directions to her place, and finally decided to call her. When she answered the phone the first thing she said with what sounded like anger was "Where are you? I have been waiting all day!" She seemed shocked we could not easily drive there following her map. She would not stop talking and truly seemed angry with us for getting lost. She kept repeating that her map is perfect, that we could not be lost. I actually had to assertively ask her to stop talking so I could tell her where we were and to ask again how to get to BA from there.
2. First thing the next day she came to our room and told us she was angry that we did not sit down with her for her "Formal introduction talk" immediately upon our arrival for sight seeing and dining in the area, but instead talked to other guests for their ideas. She said we should ask her, not others, as this is her country. It was as though we "broke her rules". I am serious, she used the word "angry". I also heard her tell this same thing to other guests.
3. After breakfast we wanted to use her phone to make a collect call to our bank to request a new ATM card. I looked for Elena to get her permission, but was told she had left to go shopping. Since she knew about our problem concerning the ATM and the call was collect, I went ahead and used her office phone for the collect call. She came back while I was on the phone. As soon as I got off the phone, she ANGRILY confronted me saying I had no right to use her phone!!! She was raising her voice with me and I had to try interrupting her several times before she heard me say "I called collect".
4. My husband ask her if she would please call her bank and ask if they would accept a money wire from his brother in the US to hold us over until we could get a new ATM card. She refused to even make a call to her bank to ask.
5. A couple of times a week she cooks dinner for guests and they also help her cook if so desired. We had reservations to do this, but she refused to let us have dinner there because she only accepted cash for the dinner even though she knew we had the ATM issue. Alena accepts credit cards for the rooms, and she knew we were attempting to get a credit card cash advance from a bank in Florence 2 days later.
6. When we made our reservation, Alena let us know that we would have to change rooms 2 times while there and we agreed to this. In the email she wrote:
“Anyway don't worry we'll think about moving the luggage and you will enjoy your vacation just coming back in a different accommodation.” But she flatly refused to move our luggage at all. She told us she could not possibly do that by herself. When I suggested she have her staff help her, she said, “That is not possible” and left the room.
7. She approached us on our 3rd day there and said she “made a mistake” and she owed us for one night since she noticed that our reservation was only for 4 nights, not 5. I told her it was for 5 and we would be leaving Saturday. She said, "That is not possible. I have already rented the room to other people". We had to show her our confirmation email she sent us for 5 nights and then she backed off. Thank goodness I traveled with my computer!

Overall, Borgo Argenina was a horrible experience. You may find it hard to believe that all this happened, but it did. Luckily, touring Tuscany was still as nice as ever!