Villa Palazzola

We loved our time here for a wedding, and the location and venue were outstanding. The staff are lovely and helpful, though there’s room for improvement. The rooms are basic, and some have no ensuite, so you share a bathroom. More like a hostile. The accommodation is quite run down and needs updating.

We came with friends and had a wonderful time at Palazzola. It’s a quiet place most of the time, though weddings or parties at the venue above the cliff can bring some noise. They always quiet down or finish by the end of the evening. The place gave me room to think and switch off from the pressures of everyday life. I’d come back with friends, a partner, or even alone. It seems like a sanctuary for solo visitors too, although the friendly, social atmosphere means you may soon make new connections. The chapel offers another meaningful space, quite separate from daily life. The food is traditional local Italian home cooking, without any fancy chef pretensions. It reminded me of what Mama used to make, if Mama were Italian. Don’t come expecting pizzas, lasagne, or reheated frozen food. Meals are shared at big refectory tables. If they don’t get people talking, slicing the morning bread and coaxing the conveyor toaster to work its magic might, with a few carbon-fuelled laughs along the way. Our Lake View room had lovely rustic charm and no TV. The rooms have three meals a day, and there’s local red or white wine by the carafe. We enjoyed shaded seats under trees or canopies and a swimming pool with a lifeguard. There’s a shared kitchen room downstairs for making tea or coffee, a communal fridge, and a vending machine. The tap water is fine to drink. If you leave cakes in the shared fridge, some might go walkies, since this is a “caring is sharing” kind of place. Making your own bed may surprise some people, and the cleaners can miss things because they’re human too. It’s more like having a home for a few days than staying in a hotel. The WiFi is excellent if you do need to stay connected, and laptops, tablets, and phones work well. But you can also turn off your WiFi and mobile and return to yourself or each other. I hadn’t thought of Palazzola as a romantic destination, but after seeing how many weddings take place there, I reconsidered. Standing by the wall high above the beautiful waters of Lake Albano on a clear evening with someone you love feels beyond price, a unique moment in time. We were there 48 hours ago, enjoying “La dolce vita” in 30-degree heat. Now I’m sitting in my dining room, looking out through an open French door at green grass and hedges in a fine Yorkshire rain, thinking of Palazzola. Even with the stresses of Ryanair travel, British road works, and drizzly Yorkshire days, I feel ready to carry on.

We were a group of about 30, and the place worked really well for us. There’s a lounge/bar, reading room, chapel, and conference room. It’s a bit awkward to reach: the nearest train station is around 7km away, and a taxi from FCO can take an hour depending on the time. Still, it was definitely worth it. We stayed just three nights at the “venerable college” and had a great time. It’s a good fit for a quiet retreat, or one that’s less quiet. The food was good, the people were nice, and the after-dinner chanted “Ave” takes only a few minutes. If that’s your thing, don’t miss it. It all helped us feel welcome. The view across Lago Albano, with Castel Gandolfo as a landmark and Rome in the distance, is stunning. My room didn’t face the lake, though a few rooms do and must have a great view. The rooms are clean, bright, simple, and functional. One tip if you go for a walk: use the little gate at the back of the garden. Walking up to the paved road isn’t a good idea, there’s no footpath, lots of traffic, and plenty of litter.

Getting into Rome by bus was easy from Villa Palazzola, which made it a great base for our five-day stay. I was there with a group of Catholic researchers working in Catholic Education, and we had a fantastic time. The staff were so friendly and helpful, and the food was top class, with a great range of GF meals. Thanks to everyone at Villa Palazzola!