Accommodation and Dining
Bedrooms
Casa Villatalla has 5 double bedrooms for guests (Quercia, Timo, Ginestra, Corbezzolo and Rosmarino, which are all names of native plants that grow in our grounds), each with its own ensuite shower room (with hairdryer), tea and coffee-making facilities (a choice of teas is offered), and direct access to a balcony or terrace.
All bedrooms are comfortably furnished, and in the cooler months benefit from modern central heating with individual thermostat control. Windows are double-glazed, and fitted with shutters. One of the rooms (Quercia) has a double bed, and all the other 4 rooms can be made either as double-bedded or twin-bedded rooms.
Sitting-room
The sitting-room contains comfortable armchairs and sofas where guests can chat, read or relax, or in winter simply enjoy the warmth of the open log fire. There is a library of books, and lots of information about local events and nearby places to visit.
Bar facilities are available.
In a space adjacent to the office, there is a laptop computer for the use of guests who wish to check their emails. The ground floor area also has a Wireless Access Point (802.11b/g with WPA) so you can use your own laptop too if that has wireless. There is no charge for this access, whichever laptop is used.
Dining-room
Breakfast, which can be taken at any time between 8.30 and 10.00, consists of a full Continental buffet of fruit juices, yoghurts, cereals, fresh fruit according to the season, fresh brioches (pastries) and local bread, toast, and locally produced honey and home-made jams, all accompanied by Italian coffee or cappuccino, hot chocolate, or a choice of teas.
We do not serve lunches here, but can provide a packed lunch for anyone who wants one.
From time to time Marina cooks dinner for our Bed and Breakfast guests (table d'hotes style) if they request it, though usually not more than twice a week. She is passionate about Mediterranean cuisine: she uses fresh local produce according to the season, and her dishes will include some Ligurian specialities. Dinner can be wholly vegetarian if required. We maintain a cellar containing both our house wine (red and white), and a selection of other quality bottled wines if guests prefer those. All the main spirits are also available whether as an aperitif or digestif, as well as cold beers and soft drinks. Candlelit dinner with at least 3 courses, inclusive of mineral water, half a bottle of house wine per person and coffee, is offered at €25 a head.
During the summer months, breakfast and dinner can be taken either outside under the pergola, or in the dining room.
There are also many excellent restaurants in the area, which we would be happy to recommend.
Grounds
There is a lawned terrace in front of the house with lavender and roses, a quiet courtyard to the side, a terrace with lemon trees that extends along the whole of the rear, and a further terrace at the front, below the level of the house, which is dominated by an oak tree, and at one end of which is our swimming pool (approx 12 x 6 metres) around which there are sun loungers and umbrellas available for guests (we also supply separate pool towels). We ask our guests to bear in mind that use of the pool is at their own risk.
There are shady spots in the garden amongst an abundance of indigenous plants such as rock rose, juniper, wild orchids and shrub heather, and there are oak trees, pines, cypress trees, lemon trees, oleanders, limes, mulberry, eucalyptus, olive trees and fig trees, persimmon, and a wide variety of roses (we now have over 70 rose plants). We hope you will find it perfect for reading and contemplation, or just absorbing the natural beauty of the landscape.
Boules
We also have a professionally made boules track (“campo da bocce” in Italian) for the enjoyment of our guests!
PLEASE NOTE:
Smoking
Villatalla is an entirely NO SMOKING establishment. We therefore ask smokers only to smoke outside the building; of course you can use your balcony/terrace.
Arrival/Departure
Arrival time can be any time after 3pm, and if it is likely to be after 7pm please let us know this a little in advance. Guests are requested to vacate their rooms by 12.00 on the day of departure.
