5-star Relais & Chateaux hotel in Orta San Giulio, overlooking Lake Orta, with a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, private gardens and a wellness area for an exclusive stay.
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Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi is a 5-star hotel in Orta San Giulio, in Piedmont, housed in a 19th-century building in Moorish style with private gardens sloping down to the shores of Lake Orta. The property is part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux association and is aimed mainly at couples and travellers seeking a refined stay, away from mass tourism.
The six room and suite categories, from the 22 sqm Classic to the 51 sqm Suite with Lake View with a separate living room, are furnished with period furniture, silk tapestries and marble bathrooms; many overlook the garden or directly the lake. The heart of the house is the gourmet restaurant led by chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, complemented by a wellness area with massages and treatments on request.
Private parking is free and pets are welcome at no extra charge. The location, just steps from the historic centre of Orta San Giulio and from the Sacro Monte, is among the most appreciated in the area by guests travelling as a couple.
The rooms and suites at Villa Crespi occupy the historic building and range in size from 22 to 51 square metres, all with private bathroom, air conditioning, minibar and flat-screen TV. The furnishings favour period furniture, fine fabrics and silk details, in keeping with the villa’s 19th-century atmosphere, while the bathrooms of the higher categories are finished in marble.
Some rooms, such as the Classic and the Deluxe, overlook the garden and feature a balcony or a sitting area; the higher suites, from the Executive to the Suite with Lake View, instead offer a direct view of the lake and king-size four-poster beds. The Suite with Lake View, the largest in the property, adds a living area separate from the sleeping area, ideal for those seeking more space.
The villa’s entry-level category, at 22 sqm it is the most compact in the property but the only one with a bathtub in addition to the private balcony with a partial lake view. Configurable with a large double bed or two single beds, it is the most flexible choice for those travelling with a friend or family.
Larger than the Classic Room, the Junior Suite offers a king-size bed and furnishings with antique furniture and silk tapestries that reflect the character of the 19th-century villa. The view opens onto the private garden, in a more intimate setting compared to the suites with lake view.
At 38 sqm it marks the transition to the suites with lake view: the four-poster bed is decorated in gold silk and the marble bathroom features a shower. The view of Lake Orta takes centre stage here, unlike the lower categories overlooking the garden.
Larger than the Executive Suite, at 47 sqm this suite retains the gold silk four-poster bed and the lake view, enriched by antique furniture and paintings that make it the most refined category in terms of decor among those with a shower.
Compared to the Classic Room, it gains a few extra square metres and a proper indoor sitting area, plus a tea and coffee making set. The view remains over the garden, in a room designed for those who want more space without moving up to the suites with lake view.
The largest suite in the property, at 51 sqm, is the only one to offer a living area separate from the sleeping area, in addition to a direct view of Lake Orta. Ideal for those seeking the maximum available space in the villa, with a tea and coffee making set in the room.
Villa Crespi offers guests a wide range of services designed for a high-level stay. The reception is staffed 24 hours a day, as is security, while the concierge assists with excursions, bike rental, cooking classes and horse riding. Private parking, with valet parking service, is free for all guests.
The restaurant, bar and room service provide continental and buffet breakfast, as well as menus on request for special dietary needs, while the wellness area offers spa packages and massages. The rooms feature flat-screen TVs with satellite and cable channels, internet connection, air conditioning and a courtesy set, with laundry and ironing service available on request.
Villa Crespi stands along Via Fava, in Orta San Giulio, in a secluded location overlooking Lake Orta, with private gardens reaching down to the shore. The historic centre of the village, with its cobbled alleys and colourful houses, is a few minutes’ walk away, as is the boat landing for Isola San Giulio.
The Orta-Miasino railway station is about 350 metres away, a convenient connection for those arriving by train from Novara or Domodossola. Milan Malpensa Airport is the closest, about 28 km away, while Milan Linate is 75 km away. Within a few hundred metres there are also some venues such as Crossroads Pub, just 50 metres away, and the restaurant Luci sul Lago, 350 metres away, convenient for dining out.
The Sacro Monte di Orta, a protected historic site with frescoed chapels, can be reached in about ten minutes on foot and offers one of the finest views of the lake. In summer the lake takes centre stage, with the possibility of renting boats or cycling along the shores; in winter the area is suited to quieter walks and visits to nearby villages, such as Pettenasco, also reachable by train. For nature lovers, the Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago is about 12 km away and is a destination for day trips.
Reviews particularly praise the comfort of the rooms (9.9) and cleanliness (9.8), along with an extremely attentive staff (9.8). The location, just steps from the lake, also scores nearly perfectly (9.7). The value for money, while still high (8.9), is the aspect relatively less praised by guests.
Yes, Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi accepts pets in all rooms, at no extra charge.
Check-in at Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi is possible from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM; it is recommended to inform the property of your arrival time in advance.
Yes, Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi provides guests with free private parking, including a valet parking service.
Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre of Orta San Giulio and the Sacro Monte, about 450 metres away.
No, the restaurant at Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; on other days it offers the cuisine of chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo.
Rates at Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi vary depending on the season, room type and dates of stay. You can check the updated price from our search partners.
Yes, Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi offers a continental and buffet breakfast included in the stay.