Just an hour away from the international airports in Genova and Milan sits Nordelaia, a rustic-luxe retreat that’s nestled in the middle of a 12-acre estate in the Unesco-listed Monferrato wine region in southern Piedmont and just outside the hilltop village of Cremolino.
London-based design studio These White Walls transformed and restored an 800-year-old farmhouse into the 21st century destination it is now while keeping its rustic soul intact. The design for Nordelaia is focused on wellbeing and escapism. It was created as a holistic and nurturing environment for guests to relax, switch off and connect with the people and the stunning landscape around it.
Nordelaia was designed as a destination hotel rather than a base for tour excursions. With a full-service spa, gym and yoga studio, infinity pool, and gourmet drinking and dining, there’s something there for anyone looking to take in the hotel’s “slowing down” ethos. The spa includes a sauna and steam room, hammam area, Kneipp hydrotherapy pool, and two seasonal pools; guests can also book massages and treatments for an extra fee.
If guests want to venture out, the attentive reception staff is quick to arrange seasonal truffle hunts, wine tours, cooking lessons, guided hiking or cycling excursions, and other custom packages. The surrounding vineyards and the Castello di Cremolino are definite must-see destinations, and culinary stops such as Alba, Asti, Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gavi are all within easy travel distance.
Nordelaia has 12 individual rooms and suites. Each has been uniquely decorated to offer guests a new experience each visit. The ground-floor Garden Rooms have botanical themes and open onto the beautiful gardens, the Legacy rooms on the second floor are styled after the four seasons, and the Attico suites offer a more cozy and private experience. The bathrooms are all spacious and feature rain showers; some have tubs either in the bedroom or inside the bathroom.
Nordelaia’s best features are its restaurants housed in a glass-and-brick annex next to the hotel: the Lounge Bar, perfect for an aperitif and light bites; the Bistro, offering a casual taste of Piedmont’s classic flavors; and L’Orto, the fine dining restaurant that serves treats for the eye and the palate using seasonal local fare. Helmed by award-winning Executive Chef Andrea Ribaldone and Resident Chef Charles Pearce, the eateries pay homage to the local cuisine with updated takes on classic dishes using ingredients sourced from Piedmont, neighboring Liguria, and Nordelaia’s very own vineyards and gardens.
The cost per night goes from around $250 for deluxe double rooms in the low season to around $398 in the high season. An á la carte breakfast is included. See more of Nordelaia in the gallery and head to Nordelaia.com to learn more.
