L'Orto di Ortensia

Sara is a lovely, discreet host who makes you feel at home. The country house sits on a hill just outside Bagnolo, easy enough to reach and surrounded by greenery. It’s a simple, peaceful place for a few days in nature, with just a few rooms. They’re extremely clean, and the little touches show how much care she puts in. The beds are comfortable, not too soft, and the linen smells fresh and crisp. We tried her Spanish tapas dinner, and it was delicious, better than many meals I’ve had in Spain. Everything was fresh, carefully cooked, and made with good ingredients. Breakfast was a treat too, with homemade jams and lovely cakes that looked beautiful. The price is really reasonable, and the garden hammock is a lovely extra for relaxing. I’d happily return, maybe for the Greek dinner. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and recharged.

Sara is warm and caring, and puts a lot of effort into making guests comfortable. She’s also a wonderful cook. We had dinner there a few times, and both the food and the experience were better than at most local restaurants. The rooms and bathroom were always fresh and clean. There are so few rooms that the shared bathroom hardly feels like an issue. The valley setting is quiet and peaceful, with beautiful herbs all around. It’s a great base for visiting local towns and mountain huts or going hiking. If you’re after an authentic B&B stay like the ones people had before Airbnb changed expectations, this is the place. We’ll definitely stay again.

The simple rooms are very comfortable, and there’s a shared bathroom. Outside, there’s a lawn with a seating area shaded by a vine, plus lovely views of the mountains and the plain below. It’s very peaceful. This special place is a home restaurant with just two B&B rooms. Sara focuses on edible flowers and uses as much of her own produce as possible for delicious, beautifully presented meals.

Sara is so lovely, and her cooking is delicious. It’s such a relaxing place to get away. We’ll be back!