Villa Milani

WE ARRIVED AT VILLA MILANI – a peachy Italianate villa crowning a hilltop above historic Spoleto – soon after the departure of a top US rock musician, who had swept in from LA with his wife just to mark their wedding anniversary.

That’s how special Villa Milani is. This family-owned 19th century hillside hideaway has been lavished with TLC and now glows with expensive Renaissance charm. Exuberant, swirling gilded columns, bronze cherubs, antique clocks, wonderfully embellished ceilings and a huge stone fireplace make the lounge feel like part of a private palace.

Step outside and you are in beautiful parkland dotted with fountains and classical statues, with the rooftops and spires of medieval Spoleto – one of Umbria’s gems – flung at your feet and views beyond of softly wooded hills. You'll want to linger here in the gardens – whether it's over coffee and brioches for breakfast or with a pre-dinner glass of prosecco.

Sunset garden strolls

Named after the constellations, bedrooms are beautifully decorated with original shutters, antique carved bedheads and handsome, polished wood furniture.

With unsurpassed views over Spoleto’s twinkling lights, Villa Milani's gardens beg for sunset strolls and stolen whispers. Make the most of them: float in the curvaceous infinity pool or enjoy breakfast on the terrace in the summer months. If you must leave, walk Spoleto’s ancient city walls or take one of the hotel’s classic sports cars for a spin.

© Room for Romance