The quiet of the Chianti countryside in Tuscany, the discreet elegance of Lake Como, the incomparable beauty of the Amalfi Coast.
And again Paris, Iranda and Greece. What do these destinations have in common? Intimate and very charming hotels with the same vocation,
invite guests to discover the culinary, cultural and natural heritage of the area.
HotelmyPasssion has selected 6 top addresses to enjoy authentic travel experiences
Places that seem almost unchanged over the centuries, young and contemporary atmospheres for a stay in authentic Italian style, the scents and colors of the Mediterranean, the liveliness and eclecticism of Montmartre in Paris, the isolated and secluded beaches of Greece or the green landscapes of Ireland: HotelmyPassion has selected for you the best six charming hotels of the moment, for those looking for authentic yet exclusive locations.
1 Pieve Aldina Chianti
A quiet place that in 1043 the Count of Piancaldoli offered as a gift to his wife Aldina Ubaldini, from whom it takes its name today: it is the new Pieve Aldina boutique hotel, located next to the medieval village of Radda in Chianti, along the Chiantigiana, the wine road that connects Florence to Siena.
Housed in a former bishop’s complex made up of three buildings dating back to the 12th century, the boutique hotel of the French group Domaine de Fontenille is surrounded by 40 hectares of olive groves and belongs to the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection. The project bears the signature of Pierattelli Architetture, an architecture studio based in Florence and Milan that oversaw the renovation and interior of the spaces, preserving their original features.
The 22 rooms combine stylistic purity and contemporary taste, thanks to sober furnishings with clean lines, which are offset on the walls by the works of the Parisian artist Dune Varela, printed on Carrara marble slabs, and the herbariums by Stéphanie Montaigu, who pastes images of flowers and ancient sculptures on the yellowed pages of old books.
For a moment of relaxation there is the outdoor swimming pool, set among climbing roses and lemon trees, and the spa, equipped with two massage rooms, a sauna, a Turkish bath and an emotional shower.
The place where agricultural tools were once stored and where the olives were left before pressing has been transformed into the “Le Rondini” restaurant, run by chef Flavio Faedi: the gastronomic offer is based on typical Tuscan cuisine with dishes such as traditional panzanella, pappa al pomodoro, fresh pici and the ever-present Fiorentina di Chianina. At guests’ disposal there is also a wine shop where you can taste local wines, cheeses and cured meats.
2 Filario Hotel & Residences Lago di Como
Filario Hotel & Residences, on Lake Como, stands out for its minimal, warm and enveloping design, chic and impeccable furnishings. The chosen name is a tribute to the city of Como, to the silk thread, being the place par excellence of its production, and to Lario, the ancient name of the lake. It is also a reference to the old factory where the wire was produced, located where the hotel now stands.
Thirteen rooms, bright and studied down to the smallest detail, and twenty private residences, rigorously with a lake view. For those who want to enjoy an even more special holiday, the hotel reserves two suites, the 65 square meter junior and the 95 square meter grand suite; both have a private swimming pool and an infinity terrace overlooking the lake, measuring 70 and 110 square meters respectively.
Such a special location is echoed by an equally refined cuisine that can be traced back to the history of the area. An offer that has grown and evolved hand in hand with the hotel and which can be found in the Filo restaurant. The Yeast Side beach bar, perfect for quick and tasty proposals, is transformed into the Bubble Bar throughout the month of July: here it is possible to taste a wide selection of both Italian and foreign bubbles, with a view of Villa Balbianello, nearby Bellagio and the mountains of the upper lake.
The private beach is large and equipped, while the infinity pool overlooks one of the most famous and evocative views of Lake Como.
3 Hotel Raito Costiera Amalfitana
The scent of citrus groves and the greenery of the typical terraces of the Amalfi Coast, the panorama of the Gulf of Salerno and Vietri sul Mare: this is the suggestive setting of the Hotel Raito Amalfi Coast.
A hall redesigned in terms of spaces and functions, the private garden of the rooms, which has seen a skilful restyling, the terraces by the pool are just some of the innovations that have affected the hotel.
The 76 rooms and suites, which slope down along the coast, are characterized by the elegant and typical design of Vietri ceramics, while the cuisine relies on the creativity of chef Francesco Russo. Wellness takes the form of two outdoor pools and the Expure Spa, with Turkish bath, sensory beds, whirlpool, relaxation area, solarium, hairdresser and massage cabins for personalized treatments.
Easily reachable from Salerno, the Hotel Raito is an ideal starting point for visiting the beauties of Amalfi, Positano, Pompeii and Herculaneum.
4 La Fantaisie Paris
The lively district of Faubourg-Montmartre, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, is enriched by a new address, La Fantaisie, part of the family-run hotel group Leitmotiv.
Imagined as a green oasis in the heart of the city, the hotel develops around an internal garden: it is a tribute to the position in Rue Cadet, the famous street in the capital whose name derives from the brothers and master gardeners Jacques and Jean Cadet, who supplied the court with the best fruit and vegetables in the 16th century
La Fantasie has made the natural world its source of inspiration, embracing a 360° sustainable philosophy. Starting from the gastronomic proposal: in fact, the famous Dominique Crenn signs the culinary offer. French by birth, but expatriated in the United States in the 80s, with her Atelier Crenn in San Francisco she was able to revolutionize Californian gastronomy, conquering, as the only woman in the United States, three Michelin stars.
For the interior design of the hotel, the group bet on the Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki, famous for his exuberant and playful style, which translates into blurred boundaries between external and internal environments and in a dreamlike world where nature reigns supreme.
There are 63 rooms and 10 suites, all centered on a color palette evocative of nature, as well as umbrellas and outdoor furniture, which further recall this element, inviting guests to a relaxing break.
The spa is a must, offering holistic treatments inspired by ancient healing rituals and the healing power of underground springs. The exclusive partner of the spa is Holidermie, a renowned French brand that promotes a unique and vegan approach.
5 Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa Kefalonia – Greece
Imagine an isolated beach on the southern coast of Kefalonia, reachable only through a path surrounded by vegetation: it is precisely in such a place that the Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa is located. You stay in twelve elegant private villas covered in local stone, which have a swimming pool or a private Jacuzzi with sea water and a view of the Ionian.
In homage to the island, the interiors are made of natural materials, such as wood and terracotta, enhanced by a neutral color palette. The restaurant serves reinterpretations of the classics of Mediterranean cuisine, prepared with organic raw materials of local origin.
6 Liss Ard Estate West Cork – Ireland
A Georgian-style house, surrounded by a 66-hectare estate in the Irish countryside, more precisely in the West Cork region: it is Liss Ard Estate.
The 26 rooms are furnished in a modern rustic style and are divided between the main residence (Manor), the adjacent stables (Mews) and the Lake House, a Victorian pavilion on the water. The Garden at Liss Ard Estate restaurant offers a menu with zero km ingredients.
Do not miss the Sky Garden: it is a gigantic crater covered with emerald green grass, the work of the landscape artist James Turrell, which invites you to contemplate the sky and experience unique emotions. Liss Ard Estate’s location is perfect for venturing along the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s famous 2,500km coastal road which has inspired poets and painters over the centuries.
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