24 Hours at the Relais Villa Pattono
Managing a luxury travel blog is not always that easy. Looking for hotel openings is definitely the biggest part of our work. When it comes to rural regions like the Piedmont (the best place for a gourmet trip in Italy), this is going to be a mission impossible. Hotels opened years ago but are only at the international luxury radar after a minimum of operating since five years. Luckily Relais Villa Pattono opened just four years ago and is completely unknown to all luxury travelers heading to the Piedmont. After all it is advertised as a three-star property which makes it even more impossible to find this hotel on trivago, Kayak or momondo.
I don't remember how, but I know it was a half year ago when I found out that there is a brand new luxury hotel in my favourite area of the Piedmont (I love to stay in a proximity to Alba as it is - for my taste - the absolute culinary capital of the Piedmont). All settled with shopping in Torino (there is not just Eataly's first shopping market, but also first class shopping), head to Alba for a typical tour through the White Alba Truffle Fair (starting mid october and lasting until mid november) which consists of the amazing market (only opened on weekends) as well as several cultural and food events. Of course it is a must for all lovers of truffle to buy or at least small on a real white Alba truffle. The best ways to prepare this expensive ingredient are beef tartare, spaghetti, risotto or scallops, by the way my favourite dish.
However back to our accomodation, I had booked a Single Room at Villa Pattono and was not disappointed. Although the room was an attic room, I loved the interior design, the heavenly bed and linen by Rivolta Carmignani, the Loewe television as well as the spacious bathroom. I did not miss a tub and could enjoy a spacious walk-in shower with nice smelling Culti toiletries. During the night the comfort was very good with no noise either from outside nor from the elevator next door. In general I would say my room was not spacious but perfect for the reason of my trip.
Before I left the hotel to visit the surroundings, I had breakfast in the wonderful breakfast room. There was a nice breakfast and for an official rating of "three stars" it was absolutely gorgeous. Fresh fruits, focaccia bread, good cappuccino, attentive service who even prepared egg dishes and wonderful cakes - there is nothing more to make me happy in such a setting like the Piedmont - remember you should have truffle for lunch so keep breakfast on the light side.
After breakfast I had the opportunity to visit the Penthouse/Tower Suite, spreading over 3 floors plus another floor accessing the terrace. With an impressive living room - including full glass offering 360 degrees views of Asti, Alba, the Langhe and Roero region - this suite is definitely the room to book when considering such a trip. Did I mention the steam shower or the Jacuzzi with panoramic views? Well, at a price of 350 euros per suite and night, I would declare this unique suite as a bargain.
