L'Orto degli Angeli, Bevagna, Italy

L'Orto degli Angeli is a beautiful boutique hotel in the village of Bevagna, made up of several buildings from the 14th to the 18 century, as well as the remains of a Roman theatre. This pleasing mish-mash of architectural styles really works to cement the boutique hotel’s reputation as a quirky and memorable place to stay. The owners and staff give guests the warmest of welcomes, and provide personalised, Umbrian family-style service.

The facilities

The boutique hotel’s hanging garden dates to 1720 and has been the focal point of the building ever since. Its wisteria, sweet-smelling jasmine, clematis and roses are lovingly maintained by the hotel staff, and its lavender flowers are used in one of the restaurant desserts.

L'Orto degli Angeli's restaurant, The Redibis, partly occupies the remains of a two thousand-year-old Roman Theatre. The food is just as good as the surroundings, with a menu of succulent regional fare and recipes passed down the generations of the owner’s family.

The rooms

The boutique hotel’s fourteen rooms and apartments are all individually decorated. All rooms have restored original fittings, as well as antique furniture and period artwork.

In the elegant 18th-century Palazzo Andreozzi building there are nine individually decorated rooms, each named after the biblical angels. This romantic feature makes the rooms extremely popular with honeymooners and couples. All rooms have first rate antique furniture and original frescoes.

The five apartments in the boutique hotel’s restored Palazzo Alberti are a little larger and more rustic in style, built from the remains of the roman theatre.