| Eintrag | My family and I adored our stay at Il Grillo Parlante so much that I'm almost afraid to say how terrific it was for fear of never being able to get a reservation there again! It's a rustic house perched at the top of a hill in the phenomenally beautiful and largely un-touristed Piemonte wine region of Italy. It is peaceful and un-fussy, though convenient to the entire region.
The spacious, tranquil rooms are spotless and simply but tastefully decorated with supremely comfortable beds. The bathrooms are brand new. Although the views from the rooms of vineyards and hills are lovely, the views from the breakfast room and the small garden, which overlook the town of Monforte, miles of rolling hills, and, on a clear day, the Alps, are the most stunning.
Equally impressive was the hospitality and the food! The proprietors, who speak four languages, were so warm and helpful that it felt like we were staying with friends. They recommended wine tastings, restaurants, and activities throughout the area and really went out of their way to make our visit perfect. Gilberto was a sous-chef at a four-star resort in Canada, and the "table des hotes" dinner he and Regula prepared for the four of us one night was spectacular -- and huge! Breakfasts included his homemade jams and regional specialties. (An added highlight was watching the sunset over the mountains between courses at dinner).
Be forewarned: Il Grillo Parlante is at the end of a winding, dirt drive lined with vineyards, out-buildings, children's toys, etc. 2 km outside of Moneforte. It is an authentic country home, and as you approach it, it may not seem like something special. But trust me, it is! My husband and I tend to prefer trying new places to stay every time we travel, but we plan to go back to Piemonte and stay here again. We're both fairly critical but found Il Grillo Parlante to be extremely good value for money -- and wonderful. |