The water was like a warm embrace as I immersed myself in the outdoor hydrotherapy pool on a cool autumn day. I let the water from the jets massage my legs and watched my husband as the water from another jet hit his shoulders and upper back. Even when it started to drizzle we didn’t want to get out of the pool. The fog made the environment look even more magical.

We walked uphill earlier that day. perugia through the pouring rain. We had traveled for about half an hour to have lunch at a cozy restaurant and explore the city, but despite our raincoats and large umbrella, we were soaked when we got to the car. come back Borgo dei Conti ResortFresh from the first phase of a major renovation, we put on our swimsuits and headed to the spa. After all, what could be better than a little spa treatment on a rainy day?

We passed through a relaxation room and immersed ourselves in the indoor jacuzzi. The sauna and steam room were beckoning us, but we headed to the outdoor pool before sunset. When I looked at the olive trees, I realized that this was exactly what we needed. After all, “spa” is an abbreviation of the Latin expression “salus per aquam”, which means health with water. The ancient Romans realized this two thousand years ago and brought their way of life to Umbria long before it became part of the modern country of Italy.

This special corner of Italy has a rich and fascinating history that can be felt at every turn. Borgo dei Conti stands on the site of a 13th-century castle, but it began to take its current form in the 19th century, when Lemmo Rossi Scotti, Count of Montepetriolo, transformed it into a rustic country estate where he and his family could go. escape from the city. Painter Rossi Scotti, famous for his panoramas of Perugia and portraits of the city’s high society, added the neo-gothic style. lemonade and I planted gardens.

The property changed hands several times in subsequent years, but when the Babini family bought it in 2002, they set out to restore it to its glory days, inspired by Count Rossi Scotti. Following the first renovation in 2010, they embarked on a larger and more ambitious project to transform the hotel into one of the best resorts in Umbria. They tapped Milan-based firm Spagnulo & Partners and The Hospitality Experience, the hospitality group behind The Place Firenze, to renovate the property. Best hotels in Florence) — to run.

My husband and I took the opportunity to explore the property in more detail the next day when the sun finally rose. After breakfast at Cedri’s, we walked around the grounds around the villa. In the park behind the hotel, the leaves of the trees were turning yellow and the paths were lined with well-kept hedges. When I looked at the tower, I felt like I entered a fairy tale. That’s one of the things I love about visiting Umbria, the region known as the green heart of Italy, the history is tangible and creates a sense of wonder wherever you go.

Read on for our full review of the redesigned Borgo dei Conti Resort.

rooms

Everything in the rooms and suites at Borgo dei Conti conveys a strong sense of place, from the muted colors (shades of sage green, gray and brown) to the curtains and headboards with designs inspired by medieval Umbrian fabrics. The ceilings of some rooms feature original wooden beams, while others are decorated with frescoes depicting hunting scenes in the Contessa Suite.

All rooms have comfortable beds, a Nespresso machine and free soft drinks in the minibars. The crème de la crème is the Conti Suite, which features a living room with a large fireplace, wood-beamed ceilings and antiques, a separate bedroom with ceiling frescoes, and a copper tub in the spacious bathroom.

Food and Beverage

The hotel has two restaurants and a bar. Gourmet restaurant Cedri serves breakfast and dinner in the historical setting of the villa. lemonade. I loved the homemade plum jam made with fruit grown on site. In the evenings, Executive Chef Emanuele Mazzetta serves elegant tasting menus and pasta, risotto, meat and fish, available à la carte.

My risotto with goat cheese and 22 Mediterranean herbs was light and delicious, while my wife’s lamb had a stronger taste. Cozy Osteria del Borgo serves traditional Umbrian cuisine and Neapolitan pizza on a cozy terrace overlooking the outdoor pool. Room service is available 24/7.

Activities and Facilities

The site offers a variety of outdoor activities that will immerse you in the Umbrian countryside and its traditions. In addition to relaxing by the pool, you can explore the 16-acre park on foot or by bike. Deep in the park is Casa della Contessa, a charming little country house where hotel staff can prepare romantic candlelit dinners. They can also organize picnics in the olive grove, a truffle hunting experience, wine tasting, cooking lessons and an outdoor cinema for movies under the stars.

Spa

The spa is a vast oasis of peace and well-being. You’ll definitely want to take some time to relax in the Finnish sauna and steam room, Himalayan salt room, sensual shower, indoor jacuzzi, and outdoor hydrotherapy pool. Treatments include massage, facials, manicures and pedicures.

Family Friendly Offers

Children are treated to family-friendly activities such as hiking, cycling, tennis, picnics, and visiting beehives and vegetable gardens. Staff-supervised child care is available for several hours per day for children over the age of 3. Although there are technically no connecting rooms, families can book adjoining rooms with a hallway door that they can close for privacy.

Accessibility and Sustainability

ADA-compliant rooms are available and all common areas, including the pool and spa, are fully accessible. The hotel follows Relais & Châteaux’s sustainability guidelines, which set out measures for environmental protection, sustainable cuisine and social empowerment. Borgo dei Conti grows its own vegetables and herbs and produces honey on site. The property aims to reduce single-use plastic by using aluminum tubes for bathroom products in the rooms and cotton bags instead of plastic.

Location

The hotel is located in the countryside, about 30 minutes from the city. perugiaOne of the best preserved medieval cities in Italy. The concierge can arrange visits to the Museo Atelier Giuditta Brozzetti, a historic textile workshop, and Studio Moretti Caselli, a family-run stained glass studio in Perugia, as well as visits to nearby wineries and olive oil mills. Other attractions include Lake TrasimenoSolomeo (Brunello Cucinelli’s cashmere factory), Assisi and Orvieto. If you want to explore the area, renting a car is a good idea.

How to Make the Most of Your Stay?

Borgo dei Conti is a member of Virtuoso, Fine Hotels and Resorts, Signature and Serendipians and has corresponding benefits.