The Monteleone & Rastrello - Boutique Hotels in Umbria

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The Monteleone & Rastrello Boutique Hotels in Umbria

A Rural Restoration Nestled in Umbria’s Placid Countryside

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

In a world shaped by downturns causing havoc with increasingly ferocious pace, enjoying restful moments amid the frenzy state of our times is a welcome respite. In Umbria, a region nestled in central Italy, placidity can be found in precious settings such as The Monteleone: a boutique retreat where contemporary design meets slow living. Set among the rolling hills of Monteleone d’Orvieto, one of Italy’s most evocative hilltop villages framed by medieval walls, olive groves and verdant countryside, the seventeen-room retreat promises intentional slow living, offering a timeless sanctuary rooted in its surroundings, where guests are invited to pause and rediscover the beauty of simplicity.

The Monteleone Boutique Hotel in Umbria

The Monteleone occupies a carefully restored 19th century home which preserves the architectural legacy of the original rural residence, guided by a deep respect for the heritage and traditions of its ancient village. As well as its spacious guest rooms and suites, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor pool, taking in breathtaking panoramic views across the Umbrian hills, relax in its open-air spa, or partake in a scenic workout in its fully-equipped gym. The Monteleone’s aesthetic is defined by balance, understated comfort, and timeless elegance, with light playing a central role throughout. Its conservative restoration embraces the authenticity of its origins while infusing the space with contemporary sensibility – introducing modernity through refined, clean lines and pared-back pieces, juxtaposed against materials such as weathered stone, ‘cotto Toscano’, raw plaster, tactile fabrics, and iron and wood crafted by Umbrian artisans, allowing traces of time to remain visible while creating a fresh, multi-layered aesthetic that mirrors the Umbrian landscape.

Guests of The Monteleone can stay in one of six room categories: from Superior Room to Suite. Six of The Monteleone’s seventeen rooms come complete with their own private garden featuring sun loungers and a table for al fresco snacks and aperitivo, while its Signature Suite includes a dedicated relaxation area featuring a standalone bath tub. Defining chapter of The Monteleone’s identity is its collaboration with Rome-based architecture and design firm, STUDIOTAMAT, who curated four of the retreat’s signature suites—including the Superior Garden Suite and the Deluxe Serra Suite—each conceived as an intimate micro-environment that balance craftsmanship, proportion, and emotional resonance, creating a collection of spaces that are serene, tactile, and quietly luxurious. Wellness at The Monteleone is grounded in the outdoors and shaped by seasonality. Here, wellness is not in performance but presence.

The Monteleone invites guests to experience a slower rhythm and to reconnect through simple pleasures such as a morning coffee overlooking the hills, walks among olive trees, aperitif at golden hour, and immersive countryside moments shaped by the seasons. The retreat champions an approach to luxury that is never imposed, but quietly discovered. Breakfast at The Monteleone reflects Umbrian familiar traditions with produce that tells the story of the land. Offering both a la carte and continental breakfast, expect a curated selection of sweet and savoury items featuring zero-mile ingredients from small, Umbrian producers – homemade pastries and cakes, such as The Monteleone’s classic ciambellone, freshly baked bread, seasonal jams, cheeses, cured meats, yoghurt and fruit – alongside farm eggs and international, cooked classics.

The Monteleone Boutique Hotel in Umbria

The Monteleone Boutique Hotel in Umbria

On a similar note, the Rastrello is a further gem worth noting: the 14th-century palazzo hotel that sits on the border of Umbria and Tuscany in Italy, in the medieval village of Panicale, has unveiled its new Garden Annex, introducing a further seven rooms to the boutique property,as well as a dedicated wellness space, meditation room and small outdoor pool in its gardens that overlook the beautiful Umbrian countryside and Lake Trasimeno. Bordering the garden of Rastrello, the new Garden Annex, designed by Pelizzari Studio, was a former abandoned building which has been lovingly restored to allow more guests to enjoy the unique offering at Rastrello, which has recently been certified B Corp for its sustainable and responsible practices. The expansion has nearly doubled the hotel’s capacity, bringing the room count from nine to sixteen, and each spacious suite, all with lake views, features its own unique design. The Garden Annex features a large guest lounge which overlooks the garden and the lake, where guests can enjoy breakfast, aperitivo, or simply relax and read or play a board game. The lounge is also available for private dinners or small weddings up to a maximum of 40 people. The dedicated wellness space is situated on the lower level and features a sauna, shower and two lounge chairs - a tranquil space where the serene beauty of the Umbrian countryside meets luxurious relaxation. For added privacy, guests can reserve the wellness space for hour intervals and can access it alone with their room key.

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

The Meditation Room can be found on the second level and has been designed acoustically to create the most serene environment and guests can also book to have a massage in the Meditation Room. Each of Rastrello’s treatments have been designed to promote wellness, restore balance, and enhance guests’ sense of peace, nurturing mind, body, and spirit. Among the selection of treatments on offer at the hotel are Signature Rituals such as its ‘Umbrian Bliss Journey’ and a ‘Vine Therapy Facial’, which harness the natural healing properties of Rastrello’s own organic olive oil and vines from the Umbrian countryside. The Garden features a deck that overlooks the lake and is home to a new dipping pool with fountain, lounge chairs, and tables for guests who wish to enjoy breakfast outdoors. The gate to the guest garden is open throughout the day, allowing guests to walk freely between the two properties. Rastrello also boasts a farm-to-table restaurant, Cucina & Giardino, headed up by celebrated regional chef Nicola Fanfano, and produces its own award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Overlooking Lake Trasimeno, Cucina & Giardino offers a panoramic garden terrace with breath-taking views as well as an intimate indoor space for guests and locals to enjoy. The majority of the produce used in the restaurant and bar comes from its organic gardens. The grains, wines, cheeses, charcuterie, spirits and sodas are from local suppliers.

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

—all visuals provided by The Monteleone & Rastrello Boutique Hotels

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village - A Little Further Along the Bay

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Family Stay at Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village

Why Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village Works for a Family Trip to Mallorca

LE MILE

After our stay at Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa, we weren’t quite ready to leave this part of Mallorca. Our next stop was Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village, a short journey along the bay. Travelling with our two small children, I was happy to keep the coast close and spend longer exploring the north. Alcúdia and the wetlands of s’Albufera would be within easy reach; so would another afternoon on the sand.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village
Beach

Pines shade parts of the grounds, and pools sit beside white buildings, with the beach just beyond. Inside, blue upholstery, white walls and wood finishes give the Village’s rooms a bright, straightforward feel. Our suite gave us the space we needed as a family: a separate living area, a sofa bed and a terrace, which made the room feel less like a place to pass through and more like somewhere we could actually settle between the beach, lunch and the next swim. With two children, a place to sit together away from the beds is useful, whether for a book or a magazine before breakfast or a quiet hour indoors. Garden-view and sea-view family suites offer other options, and I would pay attention to the outlook when booking; it is worth choosing somewhere you will enjoy spending time between outings.

Breakfast brings the beach back into view at Embat, whose terrace faces the sea. Freshly made pancakes and waffles are part of the buffet, with the prospect of a swim afterwards giving everyone a reason to linger nearby. The waterpark and outdoor pools provide alternatives to the beach; Star Camp’s youngest group welcomes children aged four to seven, with programmes varying by season. There is enough here to plan an active day, although I would happily leave an afternoon free for playing together on the shore.

For dinner, L’Artista’s menu deserves a closer look, its frittatina Mallorquina brings sobrasada into a pasta fritter with béchamel, crisp guanciale and honey. The parmigiana layers aubergine with tomato ragù, provolone and a pecorino-and-basil béchamel, while homemade ravioli pair ricotta with porcini and truffle cream. The Modigliani pizza combines mortadella and pistachio cream with rocket and lemon; the Regina Margherita keeps to tomato, mozzarella and basil. It is a menu that leaves room for familiar favourites alongside something new, which suits a family table. Reservations are required, so this is one evening worth thinking about ahead.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village
Pool

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village
The Resort

Alcúdia’s old town is a lovely place to begin, with streets and small squares enclosed by medieval walls. I would leave time simply to walk, stopping for lunch when a terrace appeals. Pa amb oli, bread with tomato and olive oil, is a good local dish to look for. With young children, a morning here can be enough; there is no need to turn every outing into a full day away. Nearby, s’Albufera opens onto reed beds, waterways and walking trails. Bring binoculars if you have them, and choose a short route around the birdwatching hides. Herons and other wetland birds make this a different kind of outing from the beach, with plenty to notice along the way. Allow time for the walk from the entrance to the visitor centre, particularly with small children, and take water and sun protection. A pause to watch what moves among the reeds can be as interesting as reaching the next viewpoint.

We had changed hotels, but we were still on the same family holiday, with time to return to the water as often as we liked. I was glad we had stayed on this coast. There would be other journeys across Mallorca; for now, a beach close by, somewhere good for dinner and two children to share it with felt like a very good reason to stay.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village

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Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa - A family stay in Mallorca

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Family Stay at Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Mallorca Starts at Playa de Muro

LE MILE

We came to Mallorca for a few days by the sea with our two small children, collecting a hire car at Palma airport before driving north to Playa de Muro. By late afternoon, we had reached Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa, beside the long sandy shore of the Bay of Alcúdia. Having the car meant we could explore beyond the resort, though I was looking forward to a first morning that involved nothing more complicated than breakfast and taking the children to the beach.

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
The Resort and Beach

We woke well rested, with Playa de Muro just beyond the hotel gardens. Staying beside the beach makes a difference when you are travelling with children. A swim needn’t become a whole-day expedition, and returning to the room for a rest doesn’t mean abandoning the afternoon. Along this part of the Bay of Alcúdia, the long sandy shoreline also gives you room to walk without immediately reaching the end of a little cove. Albufera Playa shares its grounds and facilities with neighbouring Albufera Park, giving families access to seven pools, children’s play areas and Star Camp activities. The programme includes games and creative activities organised by age. Park concentrates on family rooms, while Playa offers mainly doubles and suites; the gardens connect the two, so choosing Playa doesn’t mean losing access to the children’s facilities.

Having a car also gives a family the freedom to spend a day elsewhere on the island. For Palma, I would keep the itinerary modest: visit La Seu, then walk through the old town and stop for lunch. The narrow streets around the cathedral deserve time, and with small children there is little pleasure in hurrying between monuments. A morning of looking around followed by a long lunch would be my preference over trying to cover the whole city.

For a different stretch of coast, Cala Llombards lies in the southeast, near Santanyí. Its sandy beach sits between rocky sides, with pines above and small boathouses along the water. This is a longer outing from Playa de Muro, best given its own day. In busy periods, go early; there is far less space here than on Playa de Muro. Closer to the hotel, Alcúdia’s old town or neighbouring S’Albufera nature park offer alternatives to another long drive.

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
Infinity Pool

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
Room

Back at the resort, we ate at Nopal and Martinete, two restaurants within the shared Albufera complex. Nopal is a Mexican taqueria, with cochinita pibil tacos among its specialities. Martinete serves Spanish tapas and traditional dishes, with an emphasis on local ingredients. The tapas format lends itself to ordering several plates for the table and trying them together, making dinner an opportunity to explore different flavours as a family. Both restaurants require reservations, so it is worth booking early in the stay.

I also enjoyed a massage at the spa, which was fantastic and an appointment I would happily repeat. Elsewhere in the resort, Icedream serves ice cream and crêpes to take away, making it possible to carry dessert down towards the beach. For another visit, I would give us more days to explore Mallorca and keep some afternoons free to spend on Playa de Muro together. Having the beach beside the hotel makes it easy to return to a favourite place while discovering others by car. I like the thought of coming back as the children grow, beginning again on this stretch of sand and travelling a little further across the island each time.

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
Dining Area

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