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A luxury guest house in Umbria, the Green Heart of Italy. A 12th Century monastery recently converted to the highest standard. An Umbrian proverb suggests that “A stranger is a friend as yet unmet.” This philosophy guides La Preghiera. The best traditions of the better country houses transported to the gentle Umbrian hills, La Preghiera offers our guests comfortable, elegant and sophisticated country-house hospitality. La Preghiera is our home, and our guests are welcome by invitation. We and our staff look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you to La Preghiera, and greeting you as ... a friend that we haven’t yet met.
La Preghiera is a luxurious country estate, recently converted from a monastic complex which was started in the late 1100’s and occupied by the Mont'Ulivetani di Gubbio Friars. Owned and managed by Liliana Richardson de Tunstill, and her husband John, the property, set in some fifty acres of open farm land, with wonderful country walks in all directions, is situated on a quiet road just half a mile from the village of Calzolaro. Umbertide, Cittá di Castello and the real Green Heart scenes of Italy, are just minutes away, whilst the amazing hilltop cities of Perugia, Montone, Gubbio and several others are within about thirty minutes drive.
We and our staff at La Preghiera, aim to offer the warmth of welcome and personal interest that you have so often sought, and perhaps have not always found. It is our own home, which you are invited to share as a friend, not as a client. Sophisticated and elegant, without being stuffy or overly formal, we offer relaxed formality, which is of course very different from being completely informal.
Grace, charm and glamour without patronization or pretension.
La Preghiera offers a peaceful and tranquil respite from the cares of everyday life, a haven of beauty in the midst of a minor architectural masterpiece. Undiscovered, understated, Umbria. The houses and grounds have been rendered mobile phone free zones but signals are available within a two minute walk.
The property boasts its own interdenominational private chapel, for whichever creed or faith you subscribe to. This oratorio, which was dedicated to “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart”, remains a building for quiet contemplation, or prayer, study, services, blessings, weddings, christenings, anniversaries and any and all gentle cultural pursuits. Curiously, the chapel contains a British Boer War memorial.
Enjoy the immeasurable pleasure of the surrounding peace and tranquillity of our garden and swimming pool, in understated Umbria.
Suggestions of "things to do" during your stay at La Preghiera -
Client Comments:
"La Preghiera was over the top! Better than what was depicted on the website. Everyone at the wedding said that no one would believe it if you tried to explain how amazing the villa was from visual to staff to service."
"Having a marvelous time! We have enjoyed out stay here!"
To see select photos of La Preghiera, please click here.
To see a description of the area surrounding La Preghiera, please click here.
Rates 2009
*Rates
start from 188 Euro per night including VAT & service - upon availability*
Beata Beatrice
is on the second floor, with a large double bed, tapestry head board, hand painted fitted
wardrobe and a luxury bathroom with shower. One flight of stone stairs leads from the
reception area to this charming room.
San Francesco
is on the second floor, with twin beds with antique wrought iron head boards, large
antique wardrobe, antique dressing table and a luxury bathroom with shower. One flight of
stone stairs leads from the reception area to this elegant large room.
Padrone Irace is on the first floor, with a large double wrought iron bed, hand painted fitted wardrobe and matching hand painted dressing table and a luxury bathroom with shower. Suitable for guests with mobility difficulties.
Pittore
Michelangelo is on the ground floor, accessed from the outside of the monastery
through large arched French doors, which open onto a private covered terracotta tiled
terrace facing the sunken garden. Twin beds with antique wrought iron head boards, two
Vescovo
Oddo is in the adjacent cottage which was previously a barn and originally housed
the third church on the monastery site. Accessed by external stairs leading to a small loggia, double French doors opening into a lobby
which leads into the room with an antique double bed in wrought iron decorated with mother
of pearl mottif, antique dressing table, and two hand painted fitted wardrobes. Luxury
bathroom with shower and wall mounted stylish mirror.
Pittore
Perugino is in the adjacent cottage which was previously a barn and originally
housed the third church on the monastery site. On the ground floor, accessed through
double French doors, with a paved private terrace. Twin beds, antique wardrobe and luxury
bathroom with shower. The room and the bathroom are suitable for guests who need
wheelchair access.
Fra
Angelico
is a smaller room on the third floor of the monastery, once used as the watch tower, with twin beds, hand crafted wardrobe, tiled
bathroom with shower. Very tastefully decorated and suitable for a group leader or guide
and their partner.
The
monastery is closed during January and February.
For more information or to schedule your stay
please contact:
Small & Elegant Hotels, International
9425 Whispering Sands
West Olive, MI 49460
TEL: (616) 844-6000 / FAX: (616) 844-6042
E-Mail: res@smallandeleganthotels.com