La Villa is a 17th century palazzo turned boutique hotel, which sits high on a hill amongst the beautiful rolling Monferrato countryside. It has superb views in every direction, with the Alps on the horizon. The property has undergone careful renovation to restore many of its authentic Italian country house features, and is surrounded by the vineyards of some of the world's best wine-makers.

Hilltop villages can be seen from the bedroom windows, and the only sound around will be the pealing of distant church bells. Foodies will delight in hunting out the area's best wines, cheeses and truffles, for which Piedmont is a heartland. La Villa really is the most relaxing and indulgent boutique hotel around here.

The facilities

As well as great views, La Villa also has its own landscaped gardens with an outdoor pool. There's a wine tasting room for those who want to sample what nearby vineyards have to offer, and La Vie restaurant serves from a delicious regional menu. Keeping with the theme, the boutique hotel's bar stays open as late as guests care to go on drinking, on an honesty bar basis.

La Villa's games room will keep the kids happy, too.

The rooms

La Villa has twelve rooms with five suites and seven doubles, all furnished with antique and period furniture from the local area. All rooms are spacious and rustic-traditional, with clean lines and exposed beams and brickwork. Some have balconies.

Honeymooners should choose La Villa's Honeymoon Suite, with its four poster bed and bath for two overlooking the vineyards. The Presidential Suite is the largest and has a similarly great view, this time of the valleys. All rooms at the boutique hotel have Wi-Fi.