Relais Monastero di San Biagio

The food is OUTSTANDING, and their own beer is way outside my usual microbrewery experience. I normally don’t go for that stuff, but this one is off the charts. Apparently it won some kind of world cup. The place itself is a hidden gem, a relaxing spot well away from the usual path. Room 11 made me laugh with its low ceilings, but it was still very good, and the facilities were excellent. Wow, this place is underrated.

The staff really do go out of their way to make you feel welcome and comfortable. The food, all prepared on site in the full industrial kitchen, was fantastic, and wine and beer were easy to get. I can’t say whether there’s a fully stocked bar, since we didn’t need one. There’s also an on-site microbrewery if you want to check it out and have a beer. I was there for a five-night work retreat and training. For a small or medium group it worked really well. There were about 20 of us, and we used two good training rooms with internet, one of them with a large TV. The setting is beautiful, quiet and scenic, while still offering a comfortable, well-serviced stay. The spa looked clean and well equipped, though I didn’t use it myself. My colleagues thought it was great. There are stairs throughout, and getting to the main building from an apartment or a room outside the main house may involve a short walk up a slight hill. Internet seemed patchy in some rooms, but the shared areas had good coverage and were available to use. Assisi is a lovely historic town about a 30-minute drive away on winding country roads. Highly recommended.

The people made the weekend feel personal and relaxed. Lucia, Mario, Serena and the rest of the team were kind, attentive, professional and flexible about working through our wishes. After returning there so often, they feel almost like family, and we plan to come back as hotel, restaurant and spa guests. The spa is amazing and well worth the price. We celebrated our wedding at the Monastero of San Biagio from 23-25 September 2022. Lucia Bernini was a huge help in the planning, thanks to her experience, connections and team. She’s flexible, upbeat but realistic, and fun to be around. She took a lot of stress away and made the event logistics run smoothly. Many guests said the hilltop setting felt like an Italian fairytale, and we agree. There are beautiful views, several outdoor areas for celebrations and a lovely indoor space that still has a view. The renovation is tasteful, with careful details and finishes, including in the hotel rooms and spa. The neutral light colours, warm wood and brick make it easy to adapt the place to your own style. We wanted somewhere personal and warm rather than commercial, and the whole venue was reserved for us for the weekend, with 46 beds, so we never felt rushed out for the next wedding. One thing to plan for: because the space is so customisable, some things need to be brought in. Decorative lights, for instance, weren’t available there. The food was one of the main reasons we chose the venue. Chef Mario and his team serve delicious, distinctive but approachable food using local ingredients, much of it from their own garden. It was just as good for two diners as it was for our group of 110. They also have an artisanal brewery on site, and the beer we served on both days got lots of positive feedback. Mario cooks with it, too. We’d highly recommend the venue for weddings, hotel stays, the restaurant and the spa.

For getting to nearby towns and walking spots, you’ll need a car. Still, this is a wonderfully peaceful place to get away and recharge. The food and wine were incredible, and the owner went out of their way to look after everyone. Highly recommended for a restful escape.