Sitting on a hilltop within 500 hectares of beautiful woodland, rolling hills, olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards producing white, red, and rosé prosecco, Villa Lena is much more than a rural retreat under the Tuscan sun. Conceived as both a boutique hotel and an artist’s residence, this 19th-century neo-Renaissance villa is a dream place where the connections between landscape, creativity and community are nurtured and celebrated.

Founded in 2014 by Lena Evstafievam, Jerome Hadley – a contemporary art collector and musician husband-and-wife team –  and their long-time friend Parisian restaurateur and nightclub owner Lionel Bensemoun, Villa Lena has art and nature at the heart of the project. Art director and interior designer Clarisse Demory revived the living spaces by recycling and restoring some of the existing Tuscan furniture combined with vintage mid-century pieces sourced from antiques and street markets in the area, creating a fresh and uncluttered atmosphere that encapsulates the idea of raw beauty. 

As much as it can be the most peaceful and quiet place on earth, there’s always something happening at Villa Lena. Over the past decade, this utopic place has welcomed artists, designers, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, and guests from all over the world to spend time together and share unique creative experiences –from truffle harvest and flower arrangement or perfumery workshops to art exhibitions, communal dinners and intimate concerts. Visitors are invited to participate, engage with the resident artists, explore the Tuscan landscape, and indulge in seasonal, farm-to-table local cuisine. Whatever the option, it will feel like living the Tuscan dream.