Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi Italy
Relais et Chateaux Villa Crespi
Via Fava 18 – 28016 Orta San Giulio (No)
Italy
www.villacrespi.it
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
1879
Hotel General Manager
Cinzia is the daughter of well-known and respected hoteliers and restaurateurs on Lake Orta. Having been trained both in hotel management and legal fields, she also worked abroad for some time before taking up her first management position with her husband, Antonino Cannvacciuolo, at Villa Crespi, but both being very young they preferred to remain within her father’s surveillance until 2004 when she and Antonino decided to take the helm and aim as high as they could reach in the world of hospitality excellence, proving themselves through such awards as the two Michelin stars for their restaurant and the current success of their eclectically designed 19th century mansion Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi.
Hotel Positioning
4 star hotel – luxury brand Relais et Chateaux
Development strategy
In order to enhance business development, we attend shows and workshops in Europe occasionally independently and occasionally with relais & Chateaux, have a representative in the US and we have joined Ensemble and now wish to join Traveller Made.
VILLA CRESPI
History & Story
The origins of Villa Crespi go back to 1879 and it was the dream come true of a wealthy cotton merchant, Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, who wanted to bring the charm of Baghdad back to his beloved Lake Orta. It was originally named after Pia Travelli Crespi, like her husband, a native of Busto Arsizio (Varese, and was gifted to her as an act of love, this being the reason it was called Villa Pia as we can still read on one of the gateways to the property. Angelo Colla (1827-1892) was the architect Crespi charged with completing the project. He was one of the most sought after and fashionable architects of the times. Cristoforo Benigno Cresi wanted the architect’s whimsical talents and indeed he perfectly interpreted his client’s wishes, giving the villa a Middle Eastern setting that was quite unique, with superb stuccoes and arabesque carvings. The result is a masterpiece in the Moorish- Eclectic style which today is as breathtaking to the beholder as it was then.
Date Renewal
2015
Date added extensions
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Architecture, 2 Michelin star restaurant, the Chandra Deva wellness Suite which on appointment offers consultation with an Ayurveda doctor and personalised treatments and massages with a strong accent on the food connection.
Location
Villa Crespi is located in a magnificently picturesque area which nevertheless is only 40 minutes drive from Milan’s Malpensa airport. The location on a hill above the alpine Lake Orta, one of Europe’s cleanest and most romaantic, is both peaceful and convenient for the UNESCO world heritage site of Sacro Monte, a Renaissance masterpiece that is almost an open air museum. The « Holy Mountain » offers a park with breathtaking views over the lake and stone rooftops of Orta and the Island of San Giulio as well as the open air museum that depicts scenes from the life of St Francis set in 20 frescoed open air chapels with realistic life-size statues in wood and plaster.
Key sites/activities in the area
Visit Lake Maggiore and the famous town of Stresa, 30 minutes away, the famous Isola Bella and Isola Madre, considered among the most breathtakingly beautiful places in Italy. Lake Orta offers a number of interesting passtimes, from wake boarding to waterskiing, or visiting local farmhouses where milk is produced to make cheese and ice-cream; a didactic farm where the making of honey is taught and demonstrated; local wineries and a distillery where grappa is produced can be visited and tastings arranged; shopping in local top of the range outlets at Alessi for dining and kitchen equipment, Loro Piana for the finest cashmere in the world at discount prices for seconds or previous year’s collections, up to 70% off – both of these are less than 30 minutes from Villa Crespi. Switzerland is less than 2 hours drive from the Villa, and one of the most picturesque excursions we can arrange for guests is the tour of the 100 Valleys, taking visitors to see part of the lake from a boat and then a Swiss train which will take them through the 100 valleys and set them down again in Italy, at Domodossola from where they can be shuttled back to the hotel.
Fun Facts
Sports and water sport activities are top on Lake Orta, offering wakeboard and waterski-ing, lessons too, or canoeing and scuba diving for the more daring. Horseback riding can be enjoyed in the hills around the lake as can visits to local farmhouses where the scenery and local products are simply fascinating. Plently of shopping opportunities in the o fashion outlets in the surrounding areas. Wine-lovers will enjoy visiting some of the local wineries or distilleries for the production of grappa.
Children’s Corner
The children are welcome in your property and we propose the following services :
– a special children menu in the gourmet restaurant with the possibility of baby sitter service
– a special ayurveda baby massage
– special packages during the festivities with particular activities like Easter egg hunt in our park or the experience to cook Christmas biscuits with our brigade.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of rooms in all:
14 rooms as follows
• 4 Classic rooms: king size bed, bathroom in marble with Jacuzzi tub and partial lake view from the private balcony
• 2 Deluxe rooms: king size four posted bed, bathroom in marble with shower and garden view
• 2 Junior Suites: king size bed, bathroom in marble with shower and garden view
• 2 Executive Suites: king size four posted bed, one suite has the bathroom with shower and the other one the bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, lake view
• 4 Master Suites: king size four posted bed, three suites have the bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and the other one the bathroom with shower, lake view
Restaurants & Bars
‐ Antonino Cannavacciuolo’s two Michelin starred restaurant with Mediterranean‐creative cuisine, booking ahead advisable.
‐ Cooking lessons on request. Early booking appreciated.
‐ Lounge bar for moments of sheer relaxation
Wellness
Chandra Deva Wellness Suite
A fine range of ayurvedic treatments and massages with the atmosphere and fragrant incense accompany you on an exciting journey of discovery, guided by the professional care of expert masseurs.
It is possible not only to book treatments and massages but also to create your ideal massage formula for recovery of perfect physical and mental balance.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Weddings
Villa Crespi’s incomparable atmosphere, opulent dining rooms and gorgeous gardens are the ideal setting for fairytale weddings. We ensure your perfect day is truly unique and entirely unforgettable. Flawless service, our Chef’s gourmet delights, the beauty and elegance of our location will ensure yours is the distinctively dreamy wedding day you have always desired. Restaurant capacity: – 130 people
Events
Villa Crespi ensures business meetings, training and incentive events are also memorable experiences. The distinctive Villa Crespi creativity, supreme elegance and flawless service are our guarantee of uniquely unforgettable corporate moments. We can and will exceed your expectations, with the utmost discretion. The tranquillity of Villa Crespi is the ideal place to work in and at the same time enjoy the ultimate in sumptuous surroundings and the spiritual harmony of Lake Orta. Boardroom: 20 people or Theatre style: 30 people
Extra Notable Features
• Cooking classes among the Stars
Antonino proposes an exclusive and unrepeatable occasion for you: experience a morning in the Relais & • Châteaux Villa Crespi kitchens.
The Chef makes his kitchen and staff available for a fascinating appointment.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
Number of employees
50