If you know Dan or me personally, you know that we love Umbria, Italy! Its one of our very favorite places, and a strong contender for somewhere that we will move in the future. You probably also know that we love a good spa… Given how much we love Umbria and spas, we decided to spend Christmas 2023 at a spa in the tiny village of Brufa, Italy – Borgobrufa Spa Resort. While not nearly as Christmas-y as our Ireland Christmas getaway last year, our stay was lovely and relaxing. I would recommend Borgobrufa year-round for those wanting a chic getaway without children (the entire resort is child free, but allows dogs!).

Borgobrufa Spa Resort

Borgobrufa Spa Resort is an adults-only spa located near the small town of Brufa in Umbria, Italy, about a 20 minute drive from the city of Perugia. Borgobrufa focuses on “wellness,” and “pampering all the senses,” and does so in true Italian fashion.  Think – all food being sourced from Umbria, quiet relaxing spa days, and sleek modern design complimented by local art work. Guests are loaned a branded white robe and sandals for use during the stay, and guests are encouraged to wear the robe around the resort at all times except dinner. You will definitely feel like you are in Europe, in the best way possible.

As mentioned, the Borgobrufa resort itself is located a couple kilometers outside Brufa, Italy. As its outside of the village, the hotel offers stunning views of the Umbrian countryside from almost everywhere – the main restaurant, the pools, and most hotel rooms.  In fact, one of our favorite activities was sitting on our little balcony and having an Aperitivo overlooking the Umbrian countryside at sunset. *Pro tip – pick up the drinks yourself from the bar to avoid a 15 euro surcharge.*

The hotel is centered in a main building that is home to its two restaurants, its namesake spa, and many guest rooms. Other guest rooms are spread around the property, with two outdoor pools, a tennis court, and some other activities also sprinkled throughout the property. Most of the resort is connected via sleek indoor passageways that flow with the land, complete with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Umbria. For anyone with mobility issues, Borgobrufa has golf carts that can drive guests between the room and spa/dining area, etc.

For guest purposes, Borgobrufa offers a variety of rooms, some even with their own pool, two restaurants, including one with a Michelin star, and a lovely spa with multiple pools, saunas, and services. We stayed in a Garden Room, which consisted of a decent sized room with a Queen Bed, a small, stocked mini-fridge (prices were reasonable), a bathroom with a shower (and the warmest towel heater ever), and a size-able walk in closet. All in, the room was comfortable and plenty of space for our five night stay. The room was cleaned daily, and the Wi-fi was good enough to WFH.

Our favorite part of the room, however, was our little terrace overlooking the Umbrian countryside complete with a table and two chairs. This was just lovely!

I also must point out the lovely art throughout the hotel, most of which was done by local artist, Domiziani Ceramics. Guests can even tour the workshop 3 kilometers away!

The Spa at Borgobrufa

Borgobrufa is a true “spa” resort, and this is the reason for most guests’ visit. And, it is a really great spa – spacious, didn’t feel crowded, and a variety of options without booking a formal treatment. I can’t say enough good things about the spa. For guest purposes, the spa is located on the basement level with the entrance just next to the hotel’s main restaurant. Guests descend a flight of chairs and check in at the main desk, which is surrounded by a waiting area for treatments and a small spa shop. As we didn’t book any formal treatments, we simply collected our towels and went to the spa. And on that note, guests are suggested to wear the robe and sandals provided by the hotel to the spa, as well as bring the provided shopping bag to carry anything brought to the spa.

Mens and womens locker rooms, complete with showers, toilets, large and small lockers, hair dryers, etc., are located just off the check-in area. Small lockers, sufficient for things like a phone or wallet, are complimentary to use. Larger lockers, for like clothing, have keys that cost a euro to use, but there were a few plastic euro coins floating around that worked on these lockers. If I couldn’t find one of those plastic coins, I just put my things in the locked unlocked. I had no issues.

After the locker rooms, the spa is split into three areas: (1) the traditional spa area, (2) the indoor/outdoor pool area, and (3) a sensory relaxation room. I will review each, starting with the traditional spa area.

The Spa Area

The traditional spa area is home to the hotel’s saunas and steam room. And yes, this is where guests are required to wear only the white cotton robe provided by the spa. The entrance area has drinking water available and shelves to place your Borgobrufa branded shopper storing your other towel and bathing suit…. Inside the spa are three saunas of varying heat, with my favorite being the largest and hottest one with views of Umbria and Perugia in the distance. The other two saunas are nice, but not as warm.  One large steam room is also located in this area.

Across from the main sauna is a super cool feature – a snow room. Yes, this room is really cold and generates snow! This was very fun and a good way to cool off after the sauna. If you are super hot, there is an ice machine just around the corner that serves the same purpose.

The spa area also has two relaxation rooms – a fire room which is just lounge chairs with a fake fireplace and the star room, which is a super dark room with loungers looking up at “stars.” I though this may be cheeky, but it was really relaxing! We definitely preferred the snow room to the fire room.

The Indoor/Outdoor Pool

My favorite part of the Borgobrufa spa is the fabulous indoor/outdoor pool, which is open year round! The pool entrance is an indoor area with an indoor heated pool and lots of loungers surrounding the pool. There is an automatic door between the outdoor portion of the pool and the indoor portion of the pool that opens automatically for guests to seamlessly swim between the two areas. The entire pool is heated very well, and there are several hydro-massagers around the pools.

Relaxation Room

The final part of the spa is a sensory relaxation area, which Dan loved. This room overlooks the outdoor pool area an includes many comfortable loungers with pool views, more loungers in a closed room with nature sounds, and these amazing hanging beds, which I loved! The hanging beds were so comfortable. While the hotel was generally full, this room was never full and we were often the only people there. It was great for a nap or a read!

For those using the spa, complimentary infused waters and nuts and dried fruits are put out daily until 18:00 in the spa near where you drop your dirty towels. This is a nice way to push through lunch to dinner!

Other Pools and Activities

In addition to the spa indoor/outdoor pool, Borgobrufa is home to at least two other outdoor pools for public use. These were closed on our December visit, but both looked lovely and offered views of the Umbrian countryside.

Borgobrufa’s Restaurants

Borgobrufa is home to two excellent restaurants, one with a Michelin star(!), a bar area, and a wine cellar with a great selection of Sagrantino! Breakfast is included with almost all reservations, but lunch, dinner and drinks are generally a la carte.

Quattro Sensi

Borgobrufa’s main restaurant is called Quattro Sensi, of “Four Senses.” Quattro Sensi serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all of its food is sourced from the surrounding areas. The restaurant itself consists of one smartly decorated room with fantastic views of the Umbrian countryside during the day.

Daily breakfast consisted of a decent Italian buffet offering local meats and cheeses, eggs, hot local sausage and bacon, a variety of house-made pastries, bread, fruit, yogurt, and a couple daily hot specials, such as a warm croissant stuffed with local ham and cheese. These were delicious! Italian Prosecco was also put out daily, in addition to a full suite of coffee beverages and water. Breakfast was generally open from 7 – 10:30. We went daily, but I failed to take any photos.

Lunch, or pranzo, at Quattro Sensi is served daily fro 12:00 – 18:00 and offers a small selection of salads and sandwiches, as well as a few daily hot dishes. We only enjoyed lunch only one day, and split an amazing focaccia sandwich of local prosciutto, Stracciatella cheese and rocket. The sandwich was certainly large enough to split, and absolutely delicious!

Dinner is served nightly in Quattro Sensi starting around 19:30. The menu is on the smaller side, but offers a few specials each night. We tried almost everything on the menu, and honestly enjoyed everything that we ate. We were really happy with the quality of the food at Quattro Sensi, especially since we didn’t have a car and were “stuck” eating here nightly. Various photos of our foods are posted below for your review! I would also note that while it does not have a Michelin Star, Quattro Sensi is mentioned in the Michelin Guide. Well deserved!

Elementi Fine Dining

Borgobrufa’s second restaurant is Elementi Fine Dining, which won a Michelin star for 2024! While slightly resembling an American Olive Garden from the outside, the food is excellent quality and very exciting. We dined here on Christmas night, and opted for the more exotic tasting menu at 100 euro per person (without drinks). Diners can also order a la carte. Elementi is only open a few nights per week (I think Thursday – Saturday and holidays), so be sure to make an advance reservation. I also believe non-guests can dine at Elementi, possibly making a reservation even harder to find. I will be reviewing our entire multi-course meal in another post because it was so good, so stay tuned! But leave it at, definitely ensure a meal at Elementi if at Borgobrufa!

The Quattro Sensi Bar

Borgobrufa is home to exactly one bar, and its located just outside the Quattro Sensi restaurant. While small, the bar has a great selection of Italian liquors, including Italian gin and Grappa and Amaro, as well as wine, beer, other liquors, etc. The bar area also has an outdoor patio overlooking the countryside, and an amazing indoor fire pit popular with guests in the evening, particularly when the amazing Ivano Barbanera & Giovanni Pala played music and sang (see my Instagram for video)! We spent almost every night here enjoying the atmosphere between dinner and bed.

For smokers, an indoor smoking lounge is located just outside the bar next to the spa entrance.

The Wine Cellar at Borgobrufa

While not actually a “dining establishment”, Borgobrufa has a gorgeous wine cellar just off Quattro Sensi, which includes an amazing selection of Sagrantino di Montefalco and Montefalco Rosso, as well as other Italian wines. I understand that guests can book a wine tasting in the wine cellar, but we stuck exclusively to the wines made with Sagrantino (our very favorite wine!).

Were I returning to Borgobrufa (and I will!), I would try to book a wine tasting in the cellar. It would make a lovely experience, especially for those unfamiliar with Umbrian wines.

Christmas at Borgobrufa Spa Resort

Unlike last year’s stay at the magical Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny, Ireland, Borgobrufa did not offer any special “Christmas packages” for purchase. Instead, meals and drinks were a la carte, and only breakfast was included with the room rate. Borgobrufa did put up some Christmas decorations, and it offered several special evening activities. For example, there was live music nearly nightly and the hotel offered a special Aperitvio two nights, as well as a Grappa and chocolate tasting and a Rum and chocolate tasting. These were not “big events,” but it was a nice touch. Borgobrufa also left guests a local chocolate bar on Christmas day. I wouldn’t necessarily visit Borgobrufa for the most Christmas-y Christmas, but it is a relaxing Christmas if that is what you seek.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING BORGOBRUFA

1. A car is useful; there is nowhere to easily walk from the resort. The tiny village of Brufa is a 10 minute walk down a car road without sidewalks. Brufa town is home to a couple restaurants, but not too much else. Guests will need a car to visit neighboring areas and even an ATM. The hotel can arrange a taxi at a cost of approximately 35 or 45 euro per taxi ride (one way).
2. Swim caps are not required in the pools, but guests must wear the cotton towel (and nothing else) in the sauna/steam room areas. Staff enforces this rule rather strictly.
3. The main restaurant, Quattro Sensi, is not large enough to accommodate all guests on site – make a reservation in advance.
4. I suggest staying at Borgobrufa to utilize the spa primarily; stay elsewhere if visiting other parts of Umbria.
5. The property is child-free but dog friendly! YAY.
6. We reached Borgobrufa by taking the train from Rome to Perugia, and then a taxi from Perugia to Borgobrufa. This was easy enough, but the train to Perugia from Rome Termini is like the furthest point from the entrance to the train station. Worth keeping in mind if you have a lot of luggage.
7. The room minibar offered water, soda, craft beer and gin, but no wine. Guests can order wine from the bar, but there is a 15 euro charge for room delivery, which you can avoid if you carry it down yourself.
8. Checkin and out times are strictly enforced, and there is usually a line right at those times! Checkin is 15:00 for the room, 14:00 for the spa, and checkout from the room and spa is 12:00.
9. There is plenty of parking on site.
10. The closest ATM is a 10 minute, 30 euro taxi ride. You don’t need cash at the hotel, except to tip and for taxis. Everything else is paid via credit card.

STEAL OUR TRIP

Borgobrufa Spa Resort: Via del Colle, 38, 06089, Brufa di Torgiano, PG Italia – Phone +390759883 – Email info@borgobrufa.it.  Open year round.