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 the others all have twin beds, but these are of such a design that they can be joined together to make a double bed if guests wish it.
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. This access will be subject to a modest charge, according to use.
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.
We will be happy to provide dinner to our guests if pre-booked. Marina is passionate about Mediterranean cuisine: she uses fresh local produce according to the season, and her dishes will include some Ligurian specialities. We maintain a cellar containing both our house wine (red and white), and a selection of other quality bottled wines if guests prefer those. Spirits, beers etc are also available. Candlelit dinner with at least 3 courses, inclusive of mineral water but excluding alcoholic drinks, 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 hope you will find it perfect for reading and contemplation, or just absorbing the natural beauty of the landscape.
Boules
We have now installed 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.
