This hotel has been in this family for three generations. Valentina de Santis grew up here, she knows these walls like none other, and she infuses the place with a soul you can only find in these family-owned establishments. More than a hotel, this in truly in her home that you’re stepping into. Contrary to the the cliché image of an heiress, Valentina has went out of her way to make things happen. Among her accomplishments, her generous donations to hospitals nearby is probably the most notable. Trained with Bain & Co, De Santis now has years of experience in her field. A huge 100-years old mansion by the sea with picture-perfect gardens, the hotel and its adjoining villa (where Napoleon and Josephine de Beauharnais once stayed) is without a doubt one of the most spectacular architectural pieces you’ll ever see.

Of classical style, the hotel has never lost its original luster since the Greta Garbo days and is still in tune with the 50s ‘dolce vita’ – even though modern improvements like a private beach and a high-end boutique are in the works. The hotel managed to maintain its vintage feel in a brilliant way at a time when Italian palaces are looking to show off that stamp of authenticity. Needless to say the cuisine is criminally good, and the products are sourced locally from the hotel’s orchard as well as from fishing. The nearby lake will be the perfect way to recover from the excess of your night. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you cross paths with a few A-list celebrities while you’re there…