The Place
Arriving at twilight at La Badia is like landing in a scene from a Gothic novel: ruined arched, rooks cawing from a crenellated bell tower, dark cypresses silhouetted against the sky and, across the valley, the evening profile of Orvieto’s cathedral, secure on its fortress crag. But the golden stone monastery on the hill, surrounded by Umbria’s intense green countryside, soon reveals itself as an outstanding hotel that would have delighted any Renaissance cardinal.
Restraint is the hall mark of this fine building’s conversion into a distinctive hotel. The robust architecture of the old abbey is always allowed to speak for itself, and modern embellishments have been kept to a minimum. The heavy wooden period furniture goes well with the massive stone walls; wrought-iron lights illuminate vaulted ceilings; floors are either of plain or geometrically-patterned terracotta. Here and there, an unexpectedly-placed church pew reminds the guest of what once was.
On the hill behind is a pool fit for a pope. In front of the abbey, beside the famous 12-sided tower, is a peaceful garden where the meditative visitor can contemplate the view or Orvieto.