Boutique hotel La Preghiera is a 12th-century monastic house in Umbria, lovingly converted into a luxury country guest house. With its terracotta floors, huge oak and chestnut beams and antique/handmade furniture, the boutique hotel evokes visions of a fairy-tale perfect rustic Italy.

Situated minutes away from the village of Calzolaro, close to Umbertide and Cittá di Castello, La Preghiera is in the midst of Umbria's many-walled medieval villages and towns. This is the land of poets, painters and saints: Saint Francis of Assisi, Michelangelo and Rafaello were all historic locals.

Privately owned, the boutique hotel is home to managers Liliana and John Tunstill who have decorated the hotel in a clean, traditional yet eclectic style. Their lifetime collections of art deco silverware, Gallé, Aubusson, china, Victorian illustrations and even a small museum of lead toy soldiers, are here for their guests to share.

The facilities

La Preghiera has a beautiful garden with a swimming pool, and is surrounded by open fields with impressive views of the woodland hills. It is a fantastic location for weddings, with its private chapel and romantic scenery, and can cater for up to 22 guests. The hotel employs a wedding planner to help with all arrangements.

The rooms

La Preghiera's ten double or twin bedrooms are furnished and decorated to a very high standard, with the beds fitted with luxurious silk and cotton blend sheets. Each room has an en-suite marble bathroom, stocked with matching white waffle towels, guest robes and slippers. Most rooms have TVs.

The best thing about this boutique hotel's rooms is their silence - there are no busy roads or rowdy venues nearby. Open the window and all you'll hear are the birds singing.