Castello di Guarene

This 18th century palace feels like a jump into the past. Castello di Guarene sits at the top of the charming village of Guarene in Piedmont and is perfectly located for access to the various wineries and restaurants of the region.

• The gorgeous Italian gardens that wrap around the property
• The views of the medieval villages and the snow-capped Alps
• The underground salt caves and spa

Castello di Guarene is an 18th-century palace built by a local nobleman, Carlo Giacinto Roero. The palace remained in the hands of the Roero Family until 2011 and, until this time, was rarely opened to the public. In 2016, Relais & Chateaux took over the palace and has been operating it as a hotel since.

Castello di Guarene has 12 rooms, a gourmet restaurant, a spa and a museum. There is a lovely bar and ample common spaces with fireplaces, as well as a pool table. The property is intimate and quiet, and at times, the service can feel timid. The furniture in the rooms and suites are mostly made up of original pieces from the castle itself, though some items have been added from the private collection of the new owner, Guido Artusio. In the rooms, you’ll find antique chandeliers, tapestries, marble bathrooms and—in some—four poster beds.

The property is surrounded by a beautiful labyrinth and Italianate garden, and has stunning views of the medieval villages of the region in every direction, as well as the Alps in the distance. Another star of the property is its wellness center and swimming pool. To enter the underground spa area, you walk through a long pathway before arriving to find the swimming pool and salt caves entirely excavated in the rocks, as well as treatment rooms and loungers that face floor to ceiling windows looking out on the region.

It is in a converted castle and can feel tired in areas, but anyone who appreciates a grand entrance, beautiful gardens and views and would love to stay in a castle for a night or two would be happy here. This property is not for children (there are no connecting rooms and it is very quiet inside).