a picture-perfect bank holiday at the Villa Cipriani, Asolo
It‘s been a while since we have travelled to Marrakech and just when Munich overcame the long-lasting weeks of rain, it was time for us to plan a first summer vacation. Venice has long been on our list and we decided to stop over in the well-known town of Asolo. Thanks to a friend we were introduced to Villa Cipriani. A family-owned luxury villa hosting 32 rooms on the outskirts of Asolo‘s stunning medieval village. I have to admit that this was my second time in Asolo, however my very first time at the town‘s number one place to stay. Already when we drove up the hill, we felt that this town has a very special vibe. Very similar to the vibe of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico or Kitzbühel in Austria. Lots of entrance gates hiding luxurious villas, a very elegant vibe and posh dining outlets - one can feel that Asolo holds a special place in Northern Italy and is very popular among the wealthier Venetians. No wonder it is part of „i borghi piu belli d‘Italia“ - Italy‘s prettiest villages.
Villa Cipriani was built in the Palladian era, which is a very important time period for Veneto and its world-famous villas. If you ask yourself if Villa Cirpriani Asolo is related to the Cipriani group of today you aren‘t wrong. Actually, it was in the 1960s when former owner Lord Iveagh hired Giuseppe Cipriani to transform the lovely villa into a hotel. That‘s also where the hotel has got its name from. One can therefore say that the inventor of the famous Bellini cocktail and the Carpaccio was the name patron of this unique luxury property in the Venetian hills. Thanks to the local industrialist Massimo Zanetti, Villa Cipriani is constantly being renovated and brought in today‘s time with a lot of attention to detail not losing the old world splendour a little bit. From the moment I entered this special hotel, I fell in love with the old-school glamour and antiques that match the surroundings so perfectly. This isn‘t the place for another impersonal design hotel, but rather a home away from home for poets, artists and writers alike.
Declaring as a writer myself for this special one-night stay before our true Venice experience starts, I fell in love from the moment we were checked in and shown to our lovely deluxe room on the first floor. During the reservation process, I remembered kindly that our room unfortunately won‘t have a view of the hills but this might have been a very noble understatement. When I opened the window next to our double bed, I was almost blown away by one of the best views I have had this year - from the stunningly beautiful garden of Villa Cipriani, the view went onto other villas and hills and one could almost get a glimpse of Padua and the Euganean Hills (home to Abano and Montegrotto Terme). Our room was spacious with a double bed, a writing desk, a wardrobe as well as a sideboard with a tv and minibar. Right opposite the bed was a small sitting area with a sofa, two lovely armchairs and a coffee table that hold a welcome note and a bottle of Prosecco from Asolo. What better way to start our ten-day-long summer vacation than with a bottle of bubbles in front of such a scenic view?
Next to the bedroom was an adjacent bathroom fully covered in Vietri tiles. The hand-painted tiles are created on the Amalfi coast and are very popular among Italian luxury hotels as they represent the local culture very well. As one would expect from a medieval villa, bathrooms aren‘t as grand as the public spaces. While we just had a tub-shower combo with great water pressure, a bidet and a toilet as well as a single vanity, I loved the fact of having a window and daylight inside the pretty bathroom. Toiletries were by the local brand Acca Kappa which I love for its handmade combs. Housekeeping was very attentive and did a great job plus provided an evening turndown service in addition to providing sweets for the night. Overall we had a great rest and a wonderful first night.
It is to say that we had an even better sleep after such a sumptuous and elegant dinner. Men in white jackets were rushing around the bar and terrace during dinner time - adding a very glamorous touch to the evening. One of the head waiters showed us to our front-row table and recommended to start off the dinner with a homemade Bellini. Before we chose our dishes, we were served a small amuse bouche - a fried meatball Venetian-style. We started - well you may guess it already - the classic Cipriani Carpaccio. Needless to say, it was beyond perfect and we were very looking forward to the following dishes. One of which was the pasta with mussels. I truly loved the crunchiness atop the perfectly cooked spaghetti. For the main course, I ordered a typical beef tagliata with vegetables which for me was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal in an even more stunning atmosphere. We were overlooking the sunset behind the many hills of Asolo and got a feeling why this town holds such a special place.
After this incredible dinner, we of course knew that breakfast won‘t be less spectacular. Again, the waiters arrived in perfect attire and as soon as I was seated, they offered me one of the best Cappuccinos I have ever had. As if this isn‘t a great way to start on the first day of vacation already, I ordered eggs benedict and wasn't disappointed either. While there is a buffet inside the restaurant area, I was completely fine with my egg dish, the bread basket and the spreads that came along already after we placed our orders. I found the entire team to be very attentive and always received whatever I dreamed of. Right after breakfast my friend and I were doing a little walk around town to explore what makes Asolo so special. Upon our return, the car was already picked up from the hotel‘s own garage and we just needed to pack our stuff before it was time to say goodbye already.
No visit to Villa Cipriani is complete without having been to their infinity pool just underneath the restaurant terrace. There is a swimming pool as well as a jacuzzi right next to it. While the hotel was fully booked during the dates we stayed, the pool didn‘t feel crowded at all and I felt that there is plenty of space for each guest. In case you miss breakfast or are in the mood for an afternoon snack, there is the new Bistro Rosmarino just one floor above the pool. From my point of view, this F&B outlet was a real design success with very modern light installations and cool chairs but still kept the old charm and vibe of Villa Cipriani‘s history. Generally, I felt this hotel is a perfect example of how a historical hotel should be managed these days. Hands down to the Zanetti family for doing such a great job and operating a very well-maintained hotel that kept all its glamour and charm. I can highly recommend Villa Cipriani for a whole weekend getaway as well as a break before heading to Venice. In case you were wondering, one can reach Venice also in a day trip so there is also a reason to stay for longer in Asolo.
Disclaimer: The stay was provided by Villa Cipriani and we were guests of the hotel for editorial purposes. However the above written has not been influenced and represents the author’s own opinion.
