Santa Maria Degli Ancillotti

We came back this summer to our favorite place in Umbrië. The hospitality, rooms, and breakfast are all top quality. Dinner is served in a lovely setting, looking out over the garden and landscape, and the service is beyond what I expected. The host is always there when you need him. Already looking forward to coming back.

Alessio is a big part of why we’ll return. He’s charming, always smiling, and made us feel welcome like old friends from the moment we arrived. We first found Santa Maria degli Ancillotti through friends during an area tour in April, but one night wasn’t enough. We changed our May plans to stay longer, and we were back just five weeks after that first visit. It’s on a hillside overlooking Petrignano, very close to Assisi. “Hotel” doesn’t quite describe it. There are about 10 rooms, each with a double bedroom, an adjoining lounge area, and a private bathroom. They’re newly decorated and modern, with traditional furniture, and the bathrooms have high-quality modern fittings. The grounds are immaculate, with olive groves, open grass, a large pool, and a patio with plenty of sunbeds and shade. I was a little disappointed we arrived too early in the year to see all the roses at their best. Breakfast and dinner are served outside under a large pergola with wind shutters when the weather allows, or in a traditionally styled restaurant otherwise. The family makes everything themselves, even the yogurt. Alessio’s mother, wife, and sister each prepare one or more courses. Dinner follows the Italian tradition of five or six courses, with no set menu. If you let them know in advance about allergies or a dish you don’t like, they’ll prepare alternatives. The food was fabulous Italian home cooking, and the pasta was probably the best I’ve ever had. The rooms are modern but have traditional touches, and the whole place is so well kept. We’ll certainly be back.

A peaceful, beautiful place, with spectacular food grown and cooked at home. Alessio, Ines, Susi and Rosa are just the best. It’s our 12th visit, and we’ll be back again.

We spent a week here and had a truly excellent stay. Ancillotti and his family did everything they could to make it just right. They welcomed us throughout, and treated each of the children as individuals, so well. We hope to come back soon for more rest and relaxation in the Italian sunshine. Thank you.