Villa Crespi Orta Lake

Villa Crespi is a dream come true along the shores of Lake Orta, a small jewel of Piedmont considered one of the most romantic lakes in the world.

Dating back to the late 19th Century, this Moorish style, historic residence has been a private home and over the centuries became an exclusive place of hospitality for poets, nobles and rulers. Its name resonated in some of the most illustrious houses in Northern Europe.

Today, we’re are a 5-star luxury hotel and home to Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo’s 2-star Michelin restaurant. We’ve created an intimate and exclusive setting characterized by hospitality and taste.

In 2012, Villa Crespi became part of the Relais et Châteaux family, a symbol of excellence in hospitality and catering and shines on the international hospitality scene.

HISTORY
In 1879, Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, a pioneer in the cotton industry, commissioned the construction of this magnificent Moorish-style villa and surrounded it with a lovely green park where it would overlook his beloved Lake Orta.

His source of inspiration were his long business trips in the Middle East where he was bewitched by the charm of Baghdad’s splendid architecture. The construction was entrusted to the architect Angelo Colla, a native from the hills of Lake Maggiore.

He had complete creative freedom and could design the Villa as he wanted. Originally the Villa was named Villa Pia, the name of Cristoforo Benigno Crespi’s wife and to whom he dedicated its construction.

The residence later took on the family’s surname. On one of the entrance gates, it is still possible to read the original “Villa Pia”. The eclectic Moorish masterpiece took 30 years to build, unique the world over for its style, stuccoes and arabesque inlays; a marvel, which still today, takes your breath away.

The passing of time has seen a succession of different owners. In the 1930’s it was purchased by the Marquis Fracassi of Torre Rossano and became a place of residency for poets, nobles and royalty, including King Umberto of Savoy.

In 1999, after a meticulous restructuring, Cinzia and Antonino Cannavacciuolo returned its Middle Eastern charm and turned it into a landmark of Italian hospitality and a temple devoted to refined cuisine and good taste.

MOORISH ARCHITECTURE
The Villa will win you over thanks the peculiarity of its architecture, unique in the area. You’ll be instantly reminded of the Middle East and the fairytale-like atmosphere of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.

The Moorish style with domes of intertwined arches, rich and refined adornments made of stucco and molded plaster, painted and gilded, marble columns all reminiscent of the elegance of the minarets of Baghdad and Damascus, of the towers of the Alhambra in Granada and those at the Alcazar in Seville. You’ll be taken on a journey to distant times and far away places.

Thanks to the patronage of Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, the architect Angelo Colla, who started out with a first set of ornamentalists and decorators, had the opportunity to let his talent shine.

His romantic sense of cinematographic taste and passionate attention to decorative detail allowed him to spend the last part of his career to take on a significant adventure as a real independent architect.

The architect Colla created this luxurious Villa and enriched its every corner; from the majestic lobby and gorgeous Florentine mosaic floors, to the ornamental walls rising to the ceiling where they end in a starry sky in pure Moorish style, to the wooden inlaid windows with their intricate decorations and lavish parquet floors.

Lastly, the towering minaret, a reminder of the Arabic architectural style, and for which the Villa has become one of the most recognizable and emblematic symbols on Lake Orta.

FAMILY
We consider family as the cornerstone of this project. Since 1999, Cinzia and Antonino Cannavacciuolo have managed the Relais et Châteaux Villa Crespi and its two-star Michelin restaurant.

Bound by a great passion for hospitality, they decided to tackle this challenging and exciting adventure together; Antonino in the kitchen with the creation of innovative and refined dishes and Cinzia looking after the hotel with its distinguished service and luxury.

Authenticity, respect, commitment, energy and passion above anything else are the keys to their success and which have rewarded them over time with prestigious awards by some of the most renowned guides on the international gastronomic scene.

In 2007, their first child Elisa, was born followed by Andrea in 2012. The family grows, more and more, and includes a team of people passionate and motivated constantly working to achieve shared goals and satisfactions.

ROOM & SUITES
The Villa has 14 rooms and suites on three floors. Inside the architecture and Moorish style reflect the middle eastern theme which is also a characteristic of the exterior of the residence.

Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, proprietor of Villa Crespi, in 1879 decided the Moorish style would inspire his “dream” home on Lake Orta. This style includes stuccoes and inlays that remind us of those far-off places which as a cotton merchant he regularly visited during business trips to Baghdad and Asia.

Our housekeeper Liliya takes daily care of these rooms which are furnished in the elegant style of the19th century with Arabesque features in the doors and windows. All the rooms are decorated with gorgeous parquet flooring and period furniture, the bathrooms being in marble.

The Villa Crespi building respects the rules of 19th century architecture where the upper floors were the accommodation for service staff, with slightly smaller rooms compared to those on the lower floors which were for the proprietors and their guests.

MASTER SUITES
Let yourself be swept away in the authentic Middle Eastern luxury of these dream suites. Located on the Villa’s first floor, the Rania Suite has been decorated with imperial red silk, creating a very romantic atmosphere. The Scheherazade Suite is the “master suite par excellence” on the second floor of the Villa, where you can experience romance and charm in absolute elegance.

As you enter, you’ll be welcomed by the antechamber, furnished with a table and mirror. Both suites have a canopied queen-size bed with parquet floors, giving you 51 square meters of pure splendor.

Inside, the suites have a large Arabian arc which separates the sleeping area from the intimate sitting area with its sofa, small table and two small armchairs. Numerous lights, including floor lighting gives a romantic, soft glow.

The particularly sunny marble bathroom has a beautiful lake view and gets plenty of natural light as it spills through the large window.

Enjoy the comfortable shower with its ceiling waterfall shower head. The suite is perfect, not only for couples but also for families or more than two people. Additional beds or cots may be added.

PREMIUM SUITES
Enter the elegance of well-kept antique furnishings; stay in an aura reminiscent of far off lands and Middle Eastern appeal. The Amira Suite, on the first floor, and the Nur Suite, on the second floor, are adorned with antique gold-colored silk, a canopied queen-sized bed and magnificent parquet; 47 square meters of pure luxury.

The marble bathroom has a spacious shower for moments of pure relaxation. Located on the south side, the suites are blessed with light, lots of light especially in the afternoon. Enjoy the beautiful lake view and park surrounding the villa from one of the room’s large windows.

Inside the suites, you’ll find a lovely sitting room perfect for a bit of relaxation and reading. Thanks to their plush, lavish size, the suites are ideal for families. Additional beds or cots are available.

EXECUTIVE SUITES
It’s time to experience the charm of time. Let yourself be pampered by refined elegance. Jamila and Zeina, these sunny suites are located on the first and second floor of the Villa. Adorned with antique gold-colored silk, a canopied queen-sized bed, magnificent parquet and a sleek marble bathroom with comfortable shower, these suites offer 38 square meters of magical splendor.

Located on the south side of the Villa, you’ll enjoy the beautiful natural light and enchanting view of the lake and surrounding secular park from one of the room’s large windows.

The Moorish decor of the ceilings, doors, and windows will cause you to dream of the past and far away places, reminiscent of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.

In these rooms, the arabesque arches separate the sleeping area from the sitting area; this intimate corner near the windows will offer you a enchanted view.

DELUXE ROOMS
The perfect room if you’re looking for rest and well-being. They are located on the first and second floor of the Villa, adorned with antique gold-colored silk (Aidha) and imperial red (Isdihar); 26 square meters of furnished luxury with a taste of the past.

Lie on the canopied queen-sized bed, a sensation you’ve got to experience, or walk barefoot on the gorgeous parquet floor. The windows along the sides of the rooms offer a sunny view of the garden and the glorious curtains will guarantee a good night’s sleep.

The ensuite bathroom and shower are covered in elegant marble and bathed in radiant sunlight. Relax comfortably as you sit in the intimate boudoir. Enjoy an excellent Italian coffee and snack or even a wonderfully delicious breakfast in your room. If necessary, a cot can always be added to any of the Deluxe rooms.

THE RESTAURANT
Inspired by the traditions of his homeland, the Campania, his adoption territory, Piedmont, and the simplicity of the flavors of home, Chef Cannavacciuolo offers an always extraordinary cuisine experience, characterized by the use of excellent raw materials in harmonious fusion bringing the past and present together for an engaging and exciting creative Mediterranean cuisine.

The presentation of his creations is his personal way of expressing his personality and art. He doesn’t forget his origins; the grueling apprenticeship passed in the kitchen ranks, his determination to grow and constant willingness to learn.

In the 1980s, he attended a hotelier trade school which led him on different professional experiences in the kitchens of renowned restaurants in Italy and Europe until the end of the 1990s. Fresh from his accrued experience, the then young Antonino together with his wife Cinzia Primatesta decided to revive the spectacular Villa Crespi.

Laqua Charme & Boutique in Meta di Sorrento, in honor of his home and for his adopted home, in Novara, there’s the Cannavacciuolo Café & Bistrot and the Cannavacciuolo Bakery as well as the Cannavacciuolo Bistrot in Turin.

His passion for people and quality has given him the chance to become known by the general public in his role as a testimonial for quality brands, as a TV Chef with entertainment programs and talent shows such as Masterchef, Masterchef Celebrity, Cucine da Incubo and ‘O mare mio.

His commitment paid over the years has rewarded him with numerous awards; his first Michelin star in 2003 and his second one in 2006 as well as being part of the most renowned Italian and international gastronomic guides.

Through his cooking philosophy, Antonino Cannavacciuolo expresses not only his career but also moments from his life, a continuous journey of discovery from the traditions of Southern Italy, in particular Naples his cornerstone, to the shores of Lake Orta in Piedmont, where he now lives with his wife Cinzia and their children.

His cooking philosophy brings these two territories together, Piedmont and Campania. He blends together the ingredients, from the cheeses and meats of Piedmont with the pasta and fish of the Mediterranean into an innovative and radiant cuisine.

Today, Antonino Cannavacciuolo is the Chef Patron of the 2-star Michelin restaurant at Villa Crespi and is supported by a young kitchen brigade who have the same daily passion and constant desire to follow in his footsteps.

With the same attention and passion paid on each guests, this care can also been seen in the services provided by the Restaurant Manager Massimo Raugi.

This dedication can be felt within the restaurant’s three rooms, out on the enchanting veranda with its striking view of the park as well as in the contemporary lounge bar.

THE WINE CELLAR
Choose from one the 1,800 different wines; the best of classic and contemporary choices. Our wine list is in constant evolution and includes wines from Italy as well as from all over the world.

There is one cellar dedicated to red wines and one for sparkling wines, champagne and white wines. The bottles are kept at an ideal temperature with just the right amount of humidity; prefect conditions to preserve their unique characteristics.

According to a popular legend, passageways and tunnels link the Villa’s cellars to the Island of San Giulio and to the Torre di Buccione. Once a place of worship and prayer, these places are now dedicated to the care and conservation of the precious wines personally chosen and selected by our Sommelier and the Chef.

KITCHEN EXPERIENCE
Antonino proposes an exclusive and unrepeatable occasion for you: experience a morning in the Relais & Châteaux Villa Crespi kitchens. The Chef makes his kitchen and staff available for a fascinating appointment.

A thrilling journey which will reveal how cooking becomes an art, thanks to the talent and passion of an extraordinary chef. An art which involves the mind and the senses, an unforgettable experience, observation, flavors and masterful moments.

Under the guidance of Antonino Cannavacciuolo’s sous-chefs the kitchen experience is an occasion that leads to the discovery of the secrets of preparation of three classic dishes, a true symbol of his work.

An appetizer, a first course and dessert: a chance to be part of the production of dream dishes. Daily cooking lessons can be booked from Wednesday to Sunday from 9.30 to 11.30

COOKING CLASS
Spending time cooking is not only the daily duty of mothers and women, not only the Christmas meal, not only a candlelight dinner with one’s lover or a birthday but it is as well a refined art, a passion and a game.

It means to mix ingredients, colours, flavours, to know how to do it, to realize dishes in order to involve and excite both the cook and the eater. Step by step it is possible to prepare delicious recipes and to improve culinary skills.

Nowadays we read culinary guides, we watch programmes on TV, we ask grandmothers for recipes, we discuss on the internet, we listen to radio programmes about this argument… so, why do not attend a special cooking class?

A cooking course in Villa Crespi is an interesting, amusing and exciting experience. Why don’t you make the most of this possibility of visiting one of the most well renowned kitchen?

Our group of young and prepared cooks is ready to show and explain how to prepare some of the historical recipes of the Restaurant taken from the innovative mediterranean cuisine of Chef Cannavacciuolo.

Spend two hours in a friendly environment, learn the recipes and the tricks to realize perfect meals to surprise your friends, your family and loves.

EVENTS
An event is a very special moment, whether you are the organizer or you are the guest. We at Relais & Châteaux Villa Crespi know these occasions very well and for this very reason in addition to the Villa’s dream location its harmonious and certainly not conventional spaces, you’ll find a team of experienced hospitality professionals at your complete service.

We’ll provide you with personalized options for your private and corporate events. Imagine having meetings, gala dinners, birthday lunches or birthday, special occasions and weddings in this Moorish villa from One Thousand and One Arabian Nights surround by peace and nature with its breathtaking view.

At Villa Crespi, it is our mission to fulfill your every desire, meet your every expectation and to make every moment unforgettable. You can count on us for all your needs from the first meeting up to the very end of your event.

CORPORATE EVENTS
Come in and let yourself be charmed by the 3 rooms inside the 2-star Michelin restaurant and the pastel-colored veranda overlooking the century-old park. It is definitely the perfect setting for your corporate event.

Take a look at the private “red” room with its glorious natural light and fireplace, perfect for meetings. We can offer you gourmet coffee breaks, starred business lunches and any needed equipment for speeches and/or presentations.

The “blue” room will amaze you with its gold ceiling full of inlays and decorations for evocative and luxurious dinners and the “yellow hall”, adorned with lights and mirrors, for special occasions in complete privacy.

For more than 90 guests, you’ll have exclusive use of the restaurant, reserved entirely for you and your guests (max of 120 people); the Mâitre and his team will take care of everyone with the utmost attention paid to comfort and to the smallest details

Villa Crespi is the 5-star location you are looking for, where your top clients are welcomed in an elegant setting, where they can enjoy the kitchen designed by Antonino Cannavacciuolo.

On Lake Orta, we can easily be reached from Turin, Milan, the airports and Switzerland. Step back in time inside the charming Moorish style rooms and suites for a moment of focus, stimulation and relaxation.

And if that wasn’t enough, you can make your experience at Villa Crespi even better with an exclusive cooking demonstration carried out by the expert hands of Chef Cannavacciuolo.

Cooking lessons alongside his skilled and friendly brigade; sensory and holistic treatments and water sports on the lake for fun and engaging activities for team building activities your guests will never forget. This is how we want to greet our guests.

WEDDINGS ON ORTA LAKE
Romantic, unforgettable, magical, 3 words to describe your wedding at Villa Crespi … but it’s also so much more… read on…

Faces full of emotions, expressions of delight and happy smiles are the wedding guests of the celebrating the wedding at Villa Crespi where a qualified team, with their passion and experience, is ready to help you make your dream come true, to turn your imagination into something real.

This is your day and you deserve only the best; the warm welcome of a smiling and reassuring team, the charm of an enchanted villa with its rooms overflowing with stories of kings and queens, a lush park overlooking the lake under the radiant sunlight or a starry sky.

A gourmet enogastronomic experience able to satisfy all tastes and designed by the experience and continued research of Chef Cannavacciuolo and his brigade, an impeccable dining service putting everyone at ease with great attention paid to detail and to the requests of adults and children alike.

A celebration full of music, dancing and an open bar service where you can enjoy the company of your loved ones until the wee hours of the morning.

Do you want to have the leading role in this painting? Then, let’s meet at Villa Crespi! Let us guide you as you discover all the possibilities to be had, take at the different rooms available and breathtaking views and meet the people who give life to the Villa and who, together with you, will bring life to your own canvas.

And if your dream is even bigger … Imagine you the newlyweds coasting along in a boat over the waters of Lake Orta as you look on to the enchanted villa. Harps and violins will accompany you, as you make your way into the magical park.

The wine glasses of your guests will be raised as they welcome you and shine a pale yellow in the sky. A blanket of fresh flowers or lighted candles will warm and light your faces as you pass through the doors of your “princely” suite on your first night, reminiscent of the past and far away lands…

Our warm and sincere welcome will be felt throughout your magical day as we make sure your moment will forever be an unforgettable memory.

WELLNESS SUITE
In this unique and inimitable context, The Villa Crespi Wellness Suite represents an oasis, a privileged escape from the daily routine. An environment where you can breathe well-being and relax, savoring the sound of silence, where you can find your balance in a peaceful and refined place.

A journey in search of yourself, where sensory and holistic treatments accompany the guest to live an experience of absolute and full regeneration.

Natural products with a delicate texture transmit in our body a renewed physical and mental energy. The Villa Crespi Wellness Suite evokes the spirituality that reigns on the evocative island of San Giulio, ‘the island of silence’, a place of peace and meditation.

LEDWAY FULL BODY MASSAGE
Revitalize your entire body with this unique treatment that works both on the body’s physical and emotional sides. Thanks to the innovative technology of LEDway, it’s possible to carry out full-body detoxification by rebalancing diuresis, intestinal peristalsis, and menstrual cycle.

But that’s not all; in a single session, you can also ease spinal cord pressure, reduce joint and muscle tension as well as improve posture. It also works on lymphatic flow, which means reducing edema, inflammation, and joint stiffness.

AYURVEDIC ABYANGAM MASSAGE
Within the walls of our Villa, it is easy to dream and let yourself be carried away to distant and mysterious places. Alongside our services inspired by the pure waters running through the Dolomites, we would like to give you the possibility of enjoying a unique experience rooted in faraway India.

A moment of reconnection and total well-being evoking imagines of enchanted places where water is the symbol of rebirth and renewal for the body and soul. Abyangam therapy is a traditional Ayurvedic massage, meant to restore harmony among all constitutional types.

The treatment provides wonderful sensations of well-being and peace, acting on the whole body. Balance is brought back to your body’s emotional and spiritual health, and you are relieved of anxiety and stress.

Gentle strokes and caresses, together with deeper stretching and movements, offer incredible benefits to your muscular and articular system. You’ll be left with a restored sense of equilibrium and belonging to the universe.

E-BIKE
Lake Orta and its Riviera offer a wide range of diverse experiences. From “classic” food and wine itineraries or something a bit more romantic, passing through small villages in the valley or one of the many neoclassical villas scattered throughout the territory as far as Mottarone with its numerous natural panoramic views unexpectedly peeping out along a road or a path.

Villa Crespi e-bikeAnd what better way to discover our lake? How about a healthy bicycle ride? Or better yet, how about an electric bike? A new and ecological way to explore our territory while respecting the environment and nature.

Let yourself be tempted by the flatter, easier roads leading to the steeper ones where you get the chance to enjoy breathtaking views. You’ll never forget these sights and they’ll keep in your hearts and mind for years to come.

The Bosch Group’s expertise in electric motors, sensors, displays and lithium-ion batteries will provide cyclists plenty of fun with their cutting-edge “Technology for Life”. Check with the concierge for the best times and interesting excursions.

Electronic bikes are an intelligent mobility system; an extremely agile and comfortable way of getting around nowadays. They also offer a number of benefits for your health, the environment and our society.

From Villa Crespi head towards Gozzano. From there, go towards Pogno and the Valsesia before turning right at the roundabout in the direction of San Maurizio d’Opaglio. Once you’ve gone through San Maurizio, head in the direction of Alzo di Pella. At the roundabout under the rock of the Madonna del Sasso, keep left and follow along Via Cave.

After Alzo, take the slightly uphill road leading to Cesara and from there to Nonio and Brolo. At that point, you’ll finally head down to Omegna with its charming lakeside promenade, called Buozzi.

After the hospital in Omegna, turn right and follow the signs for Borca. From here all you’ve got to do is ride along the flat stretch of road running along the lake. Head towards Pettenasco and then follow again the signs for Orta.

Rooms: 14

Price: from 365 EUR per night

Source: www.villacrespi.it