Piedmont is a paradise for foodies, its countryside, tucked in spectacularly at the foot of the alps, on the border with France and Switzerland, is a lush patchwork of fields and vine-rows. Here flourish white truffles, hazelnuts, pumpkins, and all sorts, and a wine range that can take you through all the seasons and occasions you might want a wine accompaniment for. Turin is one of Piedmont’s transport hubs, so many visitors start their explorations from here, but while some of the best places to stay in Piedmont can be found in Turin, it would be a shame not to explore further afield. Away from Turin’s palazzos and contemporary hotels are agriturismo, converted farm estates and villas, monasteries-turned-spa hotels, rustic restaurants with rooms and cooking schools, and cosy ski chalets in Sestriere and the alps.

If you’re here to sample Piedmont’s Barolos, Barberas, Barbarescos and Moscato D'Astis you can uncover some of the best accommodation options along the scenic roads through the Langhe Hills. Starting around Alba — white truffle capital — the roads wind through Asti, La Morra, and Bra. The old Roman town of Acqui Terme is known for its sulphur springs, so historically ideal for a spa break, and Biella is a wonderful for walkers.

Stunning Lake Maggiore marks out the border of Piedmont and Lombardy; many of the picturesque lakeside garden towns are on the Piedmont side. We recommend Cannero Riviera and Stresa as some of the best places to stay in Piedmont if you’re travelling with your family, or if you want to relax. But there are so many wonderful rural villas in this region that if relaxation against a spectacular backdrop, accompanied by a fine glass of wine and delicious nibbles, is your idea of the perfect travel experience, then Piedmont is definitely calling your name.

The Best Places to Stay in Piedmont

For the Album

• The Castello di Guarene is one of the grandest villas on our Gurus’ list. Peach-coloured, symmetrical, and surrounded by its own vineyards, this 18th century castle has been upgraded with some seriously 21st century comforts. One of the most impressive is the indoor pool, cut into rock below the caste, and the enormous wine cellar-to-spa conversion. The 15 rooms and suites are enormous, and draped with luxurious fabrics, rich colours and detailed antiques — expect chandeliers, murals and huge windows. The restaurant is excellent, and the lounge is cosy. Romantic and beautiful.
• Il Boscareto is worthy of photographing for a very different look: it’s quite a contemporary build, with uniquely stripy decor, and viewing platforms built into its design, so you can take full advantage of the incredible, panoramic vineyard views. There are 38 rooms and suites, all large and super comfortable, plus an expansive spa and a gourmet restaurant specialising in the creme de la creme of Piedmont’s cuisine.

For A Special Occasion

• The Castello di Sinio is a rather grand castle, set on a hill overlooking its own lands and vineyards. You can see the castle’s clock tower for miles around. Within the traditionally square stone facade are 18 rooms and suites, with rustic features, like exposed stone and beams, and tiled floors. but very comfortable, even opulent, furnishings. Outside are beautiful gardens with fountains, fragrant herbs and kitchen gardens. The hotel restaurant offers cooking classes, and wine tastings of estate wines. It also offers cheese, chocolate and truffle tastings in season. Children over ten welcome.
• Converted from a 17th century monastery set in its own vineyards, the Relais san Maurizio is now anything but monastic, complete with a wonderful spa converted from an old salt cave, and a restaurant well known for its regional specialities. The 30 rooms and suites have all been lovingly restored, and feature vaulted ceilings, original tiled floors and huge windows, paired with antique decorations. Some of the rooms are ideal for families, and we love the pool, and the sense of space.

For Foodies

• The Castello di Villa is a stunning castle, converted into a stunning, 14 room hotel overlooking its own vineyards just outside Asti. This is a romantic spot — the larger rooms have four poster beds, beamed ceilings and wonderful murals. But some of the smaller of its 20 rooms and suites are also affordably priced if you’re saving all your euros for the restaurant, which is a popular pick among foodies, known for its locally sourced produce — some from the castle’s own gardens — and outstanding regional menu. And of course it has an excellent wine list. The gardens are also beautiful. This is a perfect spot for foodies, close enough for a pleasant day trip to the vineyards of Barolo and the markets of Alba.

For Vineyard Views

• The Agriturismo Villa Tiboldi is a beautiful, old country house surrounded by its own vineyards, and sitting atop its own, very impressive, wine cellars. The rooms are rustic and romantic, decorated with a collection of antiques that includes four-poster beds, plus there’s a welcoming lounge, a lovely garden, and a fine dining restaurant.
• Arborina Relais is a chic, contemporary choice on the edge of La Morra, amongst hills lined with Barolo vines. It has just ten rooms and suites, smartly decorated in shades of grey, with private terraces and floor to ceiling windows to make the most of the spectacular views. The restaurant is elegant but relaxed, with an impressively stocked wine bar. Even though it’s only small, this property also has a very nice spa.

For a Countryside Escape

• The Locanda La Raia is a villa set amongst vineyards, and converted with wonderful simplicity into a 12 room hotel. The views are enchanting, and the simple decor makes the most of them, and of the villa’s charming original features and elegant proportions. The fabulous restaurant spills out onto the terrace when the weather allows, and that, and the outdoor pool, offer more wonderful vineyard views. The Locanda also has family-sized suites, an impressive spa, and gym, a games room and bar, and an excellent wine list.
• The Palas Cerequio is an elegantly converted collection of wine estate buildings, surrounded by grape vines and vineyard views. The property has just nine rooms and suites, all uniquely, and simply, decorated to make the most of their original features including fireplaces, large, shuttered windows, and French doors — some rooms have private saunas. The restaurant is known for its regional cuisine, and they run cooking classes and wine tastings from their impressive cellars. Walk, cycle, eat, drink, relax etc., and bring your kids.

For Families

• Biella’s Santo Stefano Spa Relais makes a fantastic country escape: a picturesque rural villa complete with tennis courts, an outdoor pool, bikes, horse riding facilities, and a golf course just a few kilometres away. The spa is so good it’s part of the name, and the restaurant has a great reputation for its regional cuisine. Its 40 rooms and suites are stylishly decorated without too many flourishes, and there are some great family-sized options. We also think it’s great value.
• The Relais Sant’Uffizio Wellness & SPA Hotel is a gorgeous, four-star hotel converted from a monastery, that’s divinely elegant with its simplicity. The facilities here are really something: there’s a spa so large it has three distinct zones, the hydro pool area, the wet area and the treatment and beauty zone; the restaurant is run by a multi-Michelin-starred chef; the wine cellar is vast, and the hotel offers tastings — along with cooking classes; and there’s a beautiful outdoor pool with a sun terrace, and tennis courts surrounded by the hotel’s gardens and grounds. The decor is a beautiful blend of historic features and contemporary design, with the Sant’Uffizio suite offering original frescoes and reams of space. Two of the suites are idea for families.

For Romantics

• The Relais Cattedrale is a stylishly converted 18th century palazzo in central Asti, with seven individually decorated guest rooms, and a seriously romantic atmosphere. Some of the rooms are more ornately, or historically, decorated than others, one has original mosaics, several have four poster beds. All share a peaceful terrace and gardens, and a welcoming lounge filled with inviting books. There’s also a communal dining room.

For Skiers

• Sestriere’s Shackleton Mountain Resort is a contemporary hotel with stunning mountain views. Our Gurus like the design, it’s perfect for making the most of the views, but they also appreciate the cosy, chalet-style interiors. Families will love the pools (plural), and the hearty mountain food, while couples might appreciate the private hot tubs and saunas, and the impressive spa menu.

For City Chic

• Many distinguished guests have stayed at Turin’s Grand Hotel Sitea since it opened in 1925, and it’s still a Turin institution, conveniently located behind the Piazza San Carlo. This is the kind of landmark hotel offering afternoon tea in a ballroom, and where non-guests meet up in the American Bar for cocktails. Among the 120 rooms and suites are some quite simple, standard hotel rooms, and some pretty flashy suites, and plenty in between too, including some excellent family-sized options. The restaurant is known for its Piedmont classics.
• The NH Collection Piazza Carlina is a large and elegant, contemporary hotel in central Turin. Its exterior dates from the 17th century, but its 160 rooms and suites have been decorated with contemporary minimalism and luxury. Our Gurus can’t commend its two roof terraces enough (green spaces with rooftop views), the location is ideal for exploring the city, and the property has all the facilities you’d expect from a city centre hotel with four stars.
• The Palazzo del Carretto is a nice example of how to turn one of Turin’s grand palazzos into a suite and apartment hotel. It’s not easy to get the scale right when dividing up the vast rooms of these gorgeous old buildings, but those behind the Palazzo del Carretto’s refurb have made smart choices, and the resultant accommodations are spacious, but not barn-like, and make wonderful use of the original parquet flooring, gilt details and frescoes, with contemporary art that brings it all together.

For Great Value

• Real Castello is a castle turned 17 room hotel. Its facade is arguably more villa than castle, but within are the sort of details not found in villas: vast ceilings painted with murals, ornate stonework and huge, arched doorways. Each of the guest rooms is large and furnished with an impressive collection of antiques, and most have wonderful views over the grounds and landscaped gardens. The traditional restaurant also has sweeping views of the grounds and surrounding hills, and a suitably fantastic wine cellar. Guests are able to attend cooking classes, as well as tour the local wineries.
• Cascina Barac is a beautiful agriturismo surrounded by hills ribbed with lush vineyards. Within the villa are ten rustically styled rooms and suites, decorated with warm shades of terracotta and antique furniture. Wine grown on the estate is served in the excellent restaurant, and in season you’re able to search for truffles on the estate. Children are welcome — and are often excellent truffle hunters!

For a Private apartment or private villa

• If you're travelling with family or a group of friends it may be a better option to book a villa or apartment. For a wide range of properties for all tastes and budgets we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Piedmont is easily reached by a number of international airports, and numerous major train stations too. As an indication of where you could fly into, there’s Turin Airport, which is in Piedmont, and Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate, which are in neighbouring Lombardy.
• If you want to hire a car, which would be extremely useful if you’re planning to explore Piedmont, we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• The busiest season for visitors to Piedmont is summer, when many international visitors come to Italy. If you’re planning a trip specifically for the Piedmont region, you might be better off aiming for the autumn months and harvest. Piedmont is very lively in autumn; pumpkins, chestnuts and hazelnuts grow, and are harvested as well as the wine grapes,. This is also a fantastic time to visit for foodies — the Alba White Truffle Festival is in early October. The lazier late spring, early summer days are also extremely pleasant — great for walkers and cyclists — and it’s at this time of year that you’ll have the best access to local wine experts and tasters. Some hotels and restaurants close for a few months after Christmas, but there’s a ski season to be had in Piedmont too, so there are still plenty of visitors arriving, and plenty open in the main centres and cities.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could refine your search to just the best places to stay in Ast, with its sparkling wine and historic architecture, Alba, with its white truffles, Lake Maggiore, with its exotic plants or Turin for Fiats and Nutella
• Or refine your search by the kind of holiday you’re planning, and focus on the best wine hotels in Piedmont
• Or, if you want to ski try Sestriere, or head just outside of Piedmont and consider the best ski resorts in the Aosta Valley
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Piedmont