PARDINI'S HERMITAGE
Family-run guesthouse on a cliffy Tuscan island
JUST YOU, the sunshine and the gin-clear Tyrrhenian Sea. No crowds, no traffic. If that sounds just the ticket, check out Pardini’s Hermitage on Isola del Giglio – a cliffy island off the Tuscan coast.
A stay at secluded Pardini's Hermitage, accessible only by boat, is a great way to de-stress. Luggage is spirited away on a little motorised railway, while arriving guests hop into the Pardini motorboat at Porto del Giglio. Perched on top of a promontory overlooking a rugged bay, this family-run eyrie is far away from prying eyes. There are terraces for lounging, lunching and barbecueing under the pines, and plenty of hideaway corners.
Compact bedrooms – some in the main house, others in the grounds – are simply furnished, with raftered ceilings, old stonework and terraces. Not that you'll spend too much time inside: life at this 1950s former family home is about kicking back and enjoying the great outdoors. Savour the views with a glass of cold fizz, and maybe go the full skinny, dipping into clear waters from rocky coves.
Hit the Spot
On the isle of Giglio – you arrive by private launch.
Bedtime
Rooms are simple, not luxurious.
Be Savvy
Dining out is impractical, unless you plan to summon a launch or saddle a mule!
Be Smitten
Away-from-it-all hermit's hideaway.
Working farm
The house itself – billed "haute bohemian" by fans – has an old-fashioned charm and is scattered with pottery, paintings, books and musical instruments. The owners also run a working farm (goats, sheep and pigs abound) and guests tuck into Pardini's own home-grown organic cooking. While there's limited choice on the menu, freshly-caught fish is naturally big.
Outside, enjoy a shiatsu massage or a meditation mattress with your partner. Discover teeming underwater life; take one of the donkeys for an island trek or treat yourself to some thalassotherapy (seawater) treatments. Or simply take a pile of good books to devour.
Pardini's Hermitage was reviewed for Room for Romance by Adele Evans
A stay at secluded Pardini's Hermitage, accessible only by boat, is a great way to de-stress. Luggage is spirited away on a little motorised railway, while arriving guests hop into the Pardini motorboat at Porto del Giglio. Perched on top of a promontory overlooking a rugged bay, this family-run eyrie is far away from prying eyes. There are terraces for lounging, lunching and barbecueing under the pines, and plenty of hideaway corners.
Compact bedrooms – some in the main house, others in the grounds – are simply furnished, with raftered ceilings, old stonework and terraces. Not that you'll spend too much time inside: life at this 1950s former family home is about kicking back and enjoying the great outdoors. Savour the views with a glass of cold fizz, and maybe go the full skinny, dipping into clear waters from rocky coves.
Hit the Spot
On the isle of Giglio – you arrive by private launch.
Bedtime
Rooms are simple, not luxurious.
Be Savvy
Dining out is impractical, unless you plan to summon a launch or saddle a mule!
Be Smitten
Away-from-it-all hermit's hideaway.
Working farm
The house itself – billed "haute bohemian" by fans – has an old-fashioned charm and is scattered with pottery, paintings, books and musical instruments. The owners also run a working farm (goats, sheep and pigs abound) and guests tuck into Pardini's own home-grown organic cooking. While there's limited choice on the menu, freshly-caught fish is naturally big.
Outside, enjoy a shiatsu massage or a meditation mattress with your partner. Discover teeming underwater life; take one of the donkeys for an island trek or treat yourself to some thalassotherapy (seawater) treatments. Or simply take a pile of good books to devour.
Pardini's Hermitage was reviewed for Room for Romance by Adele Evans
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Dining in
Pardini’s own free range, 100% organic farm provides many of the farm-fresh ingredients for the kitchen. Specialties include capretto arrosto (roasted goat) and home produced yoghurt and ricotta cheese. All is served with a sublime sea view.
Dining out
Take the ten-minute trip by motor launch to Giglio Castello and Ristorante Arcobalena – you won't be disappointed.
Where?
Pardini’s Hermitage
What’s cooking?
Healthy, natural home-cooked dishes such as pappa col pomodoro and pasta alle melanzane
Dress the part
Smart casual in the evening
Top table?
We loved them all
See & Do
The Hermitage is aptly named and relaxation is the thing here. Swim off the rocks, take a hike or book one of the indulgent well-being treatments on offer.
Shop
Giglio isn’t exactly Milan, so shopping isn’t the big thing. But there are plenty of small souvenirs to be picked up.
Spa
Try a thalassotherapy treatment in the garden and burn off those calories in the gym.
After dark
Dine in, then sip a digestivo while taking in the sea air. Feeling musical? Feel free to entertain your fellow guests on the piano.
Dates
August
An aquatic version of Siena’s Palio races in the Palio Marinaro marks the birthday of Giglio's patron saint.
September
Another local take on the Palio – this time with donkeys saddled up – to commemorate Giglio Castello’s patron saint.
Pardini’s own free range, 100% organic farm provides many of the farm-fresh ingredients for the kitchen. Specialties include capretto arrosto (roasted goat) and home produced yoghurt and ricotta cheese. All is served with a sublime sea view.
Dining out
Take the ten-minute trip by motor launch to Giglio Castello and Ristorante Arcobalena – you won't be disappointed.
Where?
Pardini’s Hermitage
What’s cooking?
Healthy, natural home-cooked dishes such as pappa col pomodoro and pasta alle melanzane
Dress the part
Smart casual in the evening
Top table?
We loved them all
See & Do
The Hermitage is aptly named and relaxation is the thing here. Swim off the rocks, take a hike or book one of the indulgent well-being treatments on offer.
Shop
Giglio isn’t exactly Milan, so shopping isn’t the big thing. But there are plenty of small souvenirs to be picked up.
Spa
Try a thalassotherapy treatment in the garden and burn off those calories in the gym.
After dark
Dine in, then sip a digestivo while taking in the sea air. Feeling musical? Feel free to entertain your fellow guests on the piano.
Dates
August
An aquatic version of Siena’s Palio races in the Palio Marinaro marks the birthday of Giglio's patron saint.
September
Another local take on the Palio – this time with donkeys saddled up – to commemorate Giglio Castello’s patron saint.
GETTING THERE
Location
Cala degli Alberi, 58013 Isola del Giglio
Parking
Leave your car on the mainland – the Hermitage can only be reached by boat
Trains
Orbetello station – 20 minutes from Porto Santo Stefano
Taxis
EUR 30-40 from the station to the port
Airport
Pisa – 140km
Rooms and suites
13 rooms, one suite
Special features
Rooms are comfortable and rustic-simple.
Also…
The Hermitage has an electronic bed for Shiatsu massage, a tub for thalassotherapy and a gym gazebo.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 190 – 310 (half board)
Open/closed
Closed October – March
Check-in
1pm
Check-out
10am
Minimum night stay?
Three nights
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 11am. It's a healthy affair and includes fresh goat's cheese, home-made preserves and bread
Room service
Late risers can have breakfast in their room
Children
Welcome
Pets
Welcome
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English, French and German
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Federigo Pardini – owner
Location
Cala degli Alberi, 58013 Isola del Giglio
Parking
Leave your car on the mainland – the Hermitage can only be reached by boat
Trains
Orbetello station – 20 minutes from Porto Santo Stefano
Taxis
EUR 30-40 from the station to the port
Airport
Pisa – 140km
Rooms and suites
13 rooms, one suite
Special features
Rooms are comfortable and rustic-simple.
Also…
The Hermitage has an electronic bed for Shiatsu massage, a tub for thalassotherapy and a gym gazebo.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 190 – 310 (half board)
Open/closed
Closed October – March
Check-in
1pm
Check-out
10am
Minimum night stay?
Three nights
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 11am. It's a healthy affair and includes fresh goat's cheese, home-made preserves and bread
Room service
Late risers can have breakfast in their room
Children
Welcome
Pets
Welcome
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English, French and German
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Federigo Pardini – owner