Star chef Massimo Bottura opens his first hotel

In the heart of the idyllic Italian region of Emilia-Romagna lies a jewel of the hotel industry. The heart project of Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura is set amid 200-year-old oak trees, an inviting pond, and an on-site vegetable garden. In collaboration with his life and business partner Lara Gilmore, Bottura has created a luxurious but nature-oriented hotel in Italian country house style. It was designed to offer guests a timeless atmosphere where they could experience the diverse region of Emilia-Romagna first-hand. Stylistically, the charming boutique hotel with only 12 rooms is reminiscent of the 18th century.

Massimo Bottura announces his hotel as follows:

It took us many years to find this special place, and we filled it with our favorite things: selections from our collection of contemporary art, books and records, and a pantry full of iconic Emilian ingredients like Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico and Lambrusco.

Hotel interiors include a main hall with frescoed ceiling, a cozy cocktail lounge, a record room and an Italian family style kitchen. The on-site kitchen is open all day from 6am - midnight for snacks, drinks, tea and coffee. The music room invites guests to enjoy the record collection from the boss himself. You also have the option of preparing your own aperitif or enjoying an after dinner whisky in the cocktail room. Directly behind the property and between the agricultural fields there are paths for walking, running and cycling. For sports enthusiasts, a pool and tennis court await right on the premises. The staff at Casa Maria Luigia will be happy to help arrange personalized tours of the area and any transfers.

Casa Maria Luigia - Hotel accommodation in country style

The charming bedrooms of the Casa Maria Luigia feature an open sitting area, handcrafted ceramic tile bathrooms and ground level showers. All rooms have walnut wood floors and offer the opportunity to engage with the country house ambience at your leisure. Italian designer furniture with Dedar fabrics and Ortigia bathroom utensils complete the feel-good factor of the enchanting suites. In addition, all rooms and suites have bamboo towels, bathrobes, hairdryers, a safe for valuables, Wi-Fi, a minibar as well as a selection of teas and an espresso machine. After a fabulous night's sleep, a traditional Emilian breakfast awaits in the morning, served in the adjacent building - a former carriage house.

The room categories are divided as follows:

ML Festina Lente

This charming room features an open sitting area, walnut floors, luxurious beds, and handcrafted bathrooms with ceramic tile and ground-level shower. 30-45 sqm, from € 450 / night

ML Bella Vita

These luxurious rooms feature spacious open living and dressing areas with high ceilings, walnut floors, larger handcrafted bathrooms with ceramic tile, cast iron bathtubs and/or large walk-in showers. 50-75 sqm, from € 600 / night

ML Alcove Penthouse

This modern penthouse has a separate living room, a large bedroom overlooking a private 16 m² wooden balcony, a marble bathroom with bath and shower, a tower room with guest bed and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The penthouse is around 100 sqm and is accessible exclusively by stairs. from € 750 / night

Restaurant Francescana at Casa Maria Luigia

Although Bottura has opened a beautiful boutique hotel with his Casa Maria Luigia, the culinary arts are not neglected here either:

The Francescana Restaurant is a true culinary experience, courtesy of three Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura. It is located in a turn-of-the-century carriage house that has been transformed into a stunning dining room with an open kitchen, contemporary artworks and magnificent sea views. The dining room is decorated with artwork by contemporary artist Damien Hirst. Guests enjoying the tasting menu at the Francescana restaurant are seated at one of three communal dining tables designed by Alessandro Mendini. The tasting menu is seasonal in nature and is divided into 9 courses with wine pairings. Unlike his Michelin-starred restaurant "Osteria Francescana" in the centre of Modena, guests here at the Hotel "Casa Maria Luigia" have the unique opportunity to take an intimate look at one of the most renowned cuisines in the world.

Personality and star chef Massimo Bottura

2016 founded Massimo Bottura the non-profit Food for Soul to fight food waste. Massimo Bottura's book, Bread is Gold, is the first to address the issue of food waste holistically, featuring recipes for 3-course meals from the world's best chefs. The 150+ recipes transform everyday ingredients into inspiring dishes that are delicious, economical and simple to prepare. In Modena, Bottura founded the project in cooperation with regional associations. "Il Tortellante". - A kind of therapeutic community project in which young people and adults with autism learn how to make fresh handmade pasta ("tortellini").

Picture credits: Paolo Terzi, Callo Albanese e Sueo, Casa Maria Luigia