Borgo Baccile by Vini Fantini

We found the place decent as an event venue, though the hotel itself wasn't to our taste. What really led to the one-star rating was how they handled our request to cancel when we arrived. We were willing to pay a cancellation fee, but got no attempt at compromise, only aggressive arrogance and, frankly, incompetence.

Tucked among winding little country roads and huge vineyards, Borgho Baccile feels like a hidden gem. The rooms are huge and nearly spotless, with an attention to detail I haven’t seen elsewhere. Service was better than at many five-star hotels I’ve stayed in around Italy. It’s hard to beat for a countryside stay with five-star conditions. They offer a wide range of wines from Cantinas across Italy, and the awards back up how good they are. My wife and I came back for a second visit within a year because after our first stay we knew we wanted to have a small destination wedding here. We did, and it was wonderful. I have nothing bad to say about the place. Incredible.

The staff were the highlight of our stay at Borgo Baccile. Jade and Roberto were so caring and helpful that we felt completely relaxed. Our restored room was lovely, with a spacious bathroom, and the fresh breakfast each day was probably the best we’ve had in Italy over 30 years of travelling here. Special mention to the omelettes. What do they feed those chickens? We ate at Taverna Ducale in nearby Crecchio and had an excellent meal featuring local produce. La Vineria di Salnitro, in the little hillside town of San Martino Sula Marrucina, was also well worth the 30-minute drive. The food and matching wines were memorable. My father was here in 1943 with the New Zealand Army. A visit to the beautifully located, well-kept Sangro Commonwealth War Cemetery gives you a sense of the scale and tragic circumstances of the fighting in Ortona and Orsogna.

Among the vineyards in the Abruzzo hills, you can enjoy precious fantini wine in a modern take on the Middle Ages and spend your days being spoiled in this little piece of paradise. It’s a pioneering idea, and one of the best Italian settings I’ve ever seen.