Castello Santa Maria

We stayed four nights at the Castello, a member of the well-named Charme & Relax network of country hotels. The Castello was originally a monastery founded in the 15th Century. It is now a hotel with several cottages set in an olive grove. We shared the modern Broom Cottage with another couple. We had two bedrooms and two baths with a central sitting room equipped with a small frig, toaster, 3 burner stove and dishes/silverware. The grounds are set with olive trees and of course we came away with some of the oil as well as the black cherry jam served at breakfast. The large swimming pool has a place to picnic in the shade as well as lounging furniture around the pool. Very pleasant to relax and contemplate the countryside including the isolated town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Despite being deep in the countryside the roads are good and we spent several days touring to Montefalco, Torgiano and Orvieto. We splurged on dinner one night at the hotel. The dining room which is used for wedding receptions and meetings was jaw dropping with its paintings and art works. The food, wine and service were excellent; the prices were what one would expect at a first class restaurant. Free Wi-Fi is available inside near the Castello's office or at a table under the trees not far from the building's wall. My one suggestion would be to add more light inside the cottage - the wattage in the bulbs is pretty low. Other than that minor quibble I highly recommend it.