I DUE ROCCOLI
Good living and gastronomy above Lake Iseo
OVERSHADOWED BY ITS BIGGER NEIGHBOURS of Como and Garda, Lake Iseo is little-known outside Italy. Perched high above its south-eastern shores, with vine-clad hills to the south and mountains rising from the western slopes, I Due Roccoli has a grandstand view of those deep blue waters.
This handsome country villa set in acres of pristine lawns and private parkland has uninterrupted views of the lake, while the only sound here is birdsong. The style is classic Italian country house; soft colours, antique furniture, oil paintings and grand fireplaces, with the emphasis on comfort rather than ostentation. Comfortable bedrooms, some with raftered ceilings, come with a terrace or balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows to make the best of those stunning views.
Cooking at I Due Roccoli is excellent, so book a windowside table in the elegant dining room or candlelit terrace to enjoy fresh lake-caught fish and some of the best of Lombard cuisine. We started off on the terrace with a glass of local Franciacorte sparkly, accompanied by hunks of Parmesan cheese and strawberries.
Hit the Spot
High above Lake Iseo, with views to match.
Bedtime
Room 8 has a huge corner terrace and unbeatable views. 9 and 10 are great too.
Be Savvy
There's also a cottage in the woods with a private pool if you're taking the kids.
Be Smitten
Unspoilt views in utterly spoiling surroundings.
Dinners to dine out on
Cool off in the pool at I Due Roccoli, practice your ground strokes on the tennis court, kip beneath a shady tree or simply clock those terrific views.
Prepare to go the full Monty at supper time: from antipastis and primis through to wicked puds, these are dinners you’ll want to do justice to. And it's definitely worth getting out of bed next morning for breakfast on your terrace.
Honeymooners are well looked after here – say the word and hotel manager Vincenzo can arrange some special extras on request.
I Due Roccoli was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
This handsome country villa set in acres of pristine lawns and private parkland has uninterrupted views of the lake, while the only sound here is birdsong. The style is classic Italian country house; soft colours, antique furniture, oil paintings and grand fireplaces, with the emphasis on comfort rather than ostentation. Comfortable bedrooms, some with raftered ceilings, come with a terrace or balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows to make the best of those stunning views.
Cooking at I Due Roccoli is excellent, so book a windowside table in the elegant dining room or candlelit terrace to enjoy fresh lake-caught fish and some of the best of Lombard cuisine. We started off on the terrace with a glass of local Franciacorte sparkly, accompanied by hunks of Parmesan cheese and strawberries.
Hit the Spot
High above Lake Iseo, with views to match.
Bedtime
Room 8 has a huge corner terrace and unbeatable views. 9 and 10 are great too.
Be Savvy
There's also a cottage in the woods with a private pool if you're taking the kids.
Be Smitten
Unspoilt views in utterly spoiling surroundings.
Dinners to dine out on
Cool off in the pool at I Due Roccoli, practice your ground strokes on the tennis court, kip beneath a shady tree or simply clock those terrific views.
Prepare to go the full Monty at supper time: from antipastis and primis through to wicked puds, these are dinners you’ll want to do justice to. And it's definitely worth getting out of bed next morning for breakfast on your terrace.
Honeymooners are well looked after here – say the word and hotel manager Vincenzo can arrange some special extras on request.
I Due Roccoli was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery. |
|||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
Dining in
The garden-facing restaurant makes a pretty setting for dinner, and the menu does the setting justice. The huge windows are drawn right back on warm nights. We loved the sea perch salad with a citronnette of lemon. Other house specialities include lasagne with cuttlefish, braised veal in a red wine sauce and shank of lamb with crispy artichokes. Our white chocolate mousse with strawberries was a perfect finish.
Dining out
There are no less than three Michelin starred restaurants nearby. Il Volto in Iseo, Miramonti L'Altro in Concesio and Il Gambero in Calvisano are all worth the short trip.
Where?
I Due Roccoli
What’s cooking?
The lake charr served with a pepper concasse, mashed potatoes and chive olive oil is a house speciality.
Dress the part
It can be cool at night – take a pashmina.
Top table?
On the breakfast terrace, munching your croissants.
See & Do
Tour the lake by car, boat. or along walking trails: there's a footpath leading down from the hotel grounds to the lakeshore, and staff can supply a walking map. You can catch a local ferry to the little island of Monte Isola from the nearby town of Sale Marisimo, and once there it's easy to hire a bike for a few hours and pedal around – the island is largely traffic free. The medieval cittá alta of Bergamo is well worth a day trip, not to mention not so far away Milan. Be sure to visit Iseo's Friday market, and watch the sun go down from the hotel terrace.
Shop
Get all shopped out in Milano, fashion hotspot of the world and temple of consumerism.
Spa
There's nothing on site (though a very nice outdoor pool) but the excellent Franciacorte spa is 14km away.
After dark
Hop the night away at one of Iseo’s many discos, or take in an open air opera production in Verona's Roman amphitheatre during the festival months
Dates
Summer months
The Verona Opera Festival draws crowds from around the world, with some star-studded productions
The garden-facing restaurant makes a pretty setting for dinner, and the menu does the setting justice. The huge windows are drawn right back on warm nights. We loved the sea perch salad with a citronnette of lemon. Other house specialities include lasagne with cuttlefish, braised veal in a red wine sauce and shank of lamb with crispy artichokes. Our white chocolate mousse with strawberries was a perfect finish.
Dining out
There are no less than three Michelin starred restaurants nearby. Il Volto in Iseo, Miramonti L'Altro in Concesio and Il Gambero in Calvisano are all worth the short trip.
Where?
I Due Roccoli
What’s cooking?
The lake charr served with a pepper concasse, mashed potatoes and chive olive oil is a house speciality.
Dress the part
It can be cool at night – take a pashmina.
Top table?
On the breakfast terrace, munching your croissants.
See & Do
Tour the lake by car, boat. or along walking trails: there's a footpath leading down from the hotel grounds to the lakeshore, and staff can supply a walking map. You can catch a local ferry to the little island of Monte Isola from the nearby town of Sale Marisimo, and once there it's easy to hire a bike for a few hours and pedal around – the island is largely traffic free. The medieval cittá alta of Bergamo is well worth a day trip, not to mention not so far away Milan. Be sure to visit Iseo's Friday market, and watch the sun go down from the hotel terrace.
Shop
Get all shopped out in Milano, fashion hotspot of the world and temple of consumerism.
Spa
There's nothing on site (though a very nice outdoor pool) but the excellent Franciacorte spa is 14km away.
After dark
Hop the night away at one of Iseo’s many discos, or take in an open air opera production in Verona's Roman amphitheatre during the festival months
Dates
Summer months
The Verona Opera Festival draws crowds from around the world, with some star-studded productions
GETTING THERE
Location
Via Silvio Bonomeli, 250499 Iseo
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Iseo station – 5km
Taxis
EUR 15 from the station, EUR 60 from the airport. Private transfers can be arranged.
Airport
Bergamo – 30km
Rooms and suites
16 rooms, 3 suites
Special features
Rooms have period furniture, fine artworks and a balcony
Also…
Two rooms and one suite have a private terrace looking out over the lake. The hotel also boasts a tennis court, outdoor pool and outdoor jacuzzi.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
From EUR 130
Open/closed
Closed from 1 November - 15 March
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available morning and evening.
Children
Welcome, but not allowed in the pool unless accompanied by an adult.
Pets
Dogs are welcome but not allowed in the dining areas
Air conditioning
Yes – soon to be in all rooms
Languages
Italian, English, French,German and Spanish
Wedding license?
It's a popular place for wedding banquets, and up to 250 guests can be catered for.
Your contact
Vincento Agoni – general manager
Location
Via Silvio Bonomeli, 250499 Iseo
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Iseo station – 5km
Taxis
EUR 15 from the station, EUR 60 from the airport. Private transfers can be arranged.
Airport
Bergamo – 30km
Rooms and suites
16 rooms, 3 suites
Special features
Rooms have period furniture, fine artworks and a balcony
Also…
Two rooms and one suite have a private terrace looking out over the lake. The hotel also boasts a tennis court, outdoor pool and outdoor jacuzzi.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
From EUR 130
Open/closed
Closed from 1 November - 15 March
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available morning and evening.
Children
Welcome, but not allowed in the pool unless accompanied by an adult.
Pets
Dogs are welcome but not allowed in the dining areas
Air conditioning
Yes – soon to be in all rooms
Languages
Italian, English, French,German and Spanish
Wedding license?
It's a popular place for wedding banquets, and up to 250 guests can be catered for.
Your contact
Vincento Agoni – general manager
