Villa Beccaris

The Villa Beccaris is just the sort of charming inn we search for and is especially welcome in a region where there are surprisingly few of its breed. The Langhe wine country southeast of industrial Turin is characterized by gently rolling hillsides covered with endless rows of vineyards and dotted with enchanting ancient villages and fortified castles. Monforte is one such village and the 18th-century Villa Beccaris is found just outside its ancient walls. The individually decorated bedrooms are spread about the main villa, two attached wings forming the inner courtyard, and a separate adjacent guesthouse. The owners of the inn are all local industrialists and wine producers who have striven to retain a distinct aura of romance and elegance. A private home ambiance is created with precious antiques throughout bedrooms, with Oriental carpets, parquet floors, stenciled walls and ceilings, fine linens, portrait paintings, and elegant chandeliers. The golden breakfast room with antique bar and original wood floors leads out to the flower-laden courtyard to one side and to the surrounding park with enormous oak trees to the other. The garden reveals a curved swimming pool and picturesque views over the ancient village. Downstairs is the original vaulted wine cellar, which serves as a lounge area for guests in the evenings.