Both, and more. The beauty of Villa Francini is its extensive and immensely flexible accommodation. You may book for 2 or more nights on a B&B basis. You may come on a Retreat (no B&B during Retreat weeks). You may hire the whole house and garden and have exclusive and private use of everything (no B&B and no Retreats during Exclusive Villa Rentals)
Currently (Spring 2018) we have 5 guest bedrooms & suites which can accommodate up to a maximum of 14 people sharing. Most rooms can have either two single beds or joined together to make a superking. One room has a king bed but can accommodate another two singles or a king size bed in the adjoining lounge. Another room has an emperor sized four poster bed but can also accommodate two singles or a king size in the same room to make up to a quad occupancy room. Outside dining on the terrace currently accommodates 14 adults comfortably. Bureaucracy and local craftsmen permitting, two additional double or twin bedrooms will be added to the available rooms by the end of Summer 2018. In the slightly longer term there is another part of the house (currently sealed off) for which there is a Phase II plan to renovate and create a further two suites. At the end of all the works the house will comfortably accommodate 20 adults plus up to 4 children/teens in suite lounges when booked for Exclusive Villa Rental.
Please see the Accommodation page for details of each of the bedrooms. All bedrooms have new luxury en-suite bath or shower rooms. All beds are brand new and wonderfully comfortable, linens are of a very high standard (White Company etc) with a choice of soft down or hypo-allergenic pillows & duvets. Bathroom towels are soft and fluffy and pool towels are provided. As we have sought to maintain as much of the charm, character and history of this old property as possible, please realise that some paintwork has been left in it’s authentic state. This means that the décor may be patchy as it has been repaired only where the plaster was beyond salvaging and the paint effects have been unfortunately lost. This is intentional and a desired effect. Some pieces of furniture are vintage or antique in order to be appropriate to the house and may have scratches,knocks, fading etc commensurate to their history and as to be expected of antiques, but all are clean and fully functioning. The kitchen (for Exclusive Villa Rental) is again the original kitchen with all the original features. Although we have now moved away from wood and embers and are now cooking on gas, modern appliances have been installed alongside the big old hearth and ‘hob’ and the fabulous terracotta ‘washing machine’ which, in reality, take up a lot of space in what is, fortunately, a decent sized room, so this is absolutely not a sleek modern fitted kitchen. It is a rural country house working kitchen, as you would expect (just with all mod-cons). The kitchen is actually two rooms, the main ‘food kitchen’ with range cooker, fridge-freezer, sink etc and then the ante-cucina with dishwasher, rinsing sink, all the crockery, glasses and cutlery conveniently placed just off the terrace and rather handy for clearing away after al fresco dining on the terrace.
Our main regret with Villa Francini is that, as an ancient property, it is not suitable for those with motor disabilities. All the rooms are on the first and second floors and access is exclusively via stone stairs. Please contact us if you wish to discuss the suitability for any other disability.
Oh yes! There is a lovely circular pool in the garden for you to enjoy. It’s deep enough to swim in and at 4.8m you’ll all be able to take a dip. You won’t be doing exhaustive lengths every morning but for cooling off, dangling your feet or just a bit of glamorous posing it’s just the ticket. The pool isn’t heated but you’ll be grateful for that come the summer!
We certainly do! Because of the rather enormous, thick, solid stone walls the house is constructed with we do not currently have wifi in all bedrooms. There is excellent access in Reception, the Hallway, the activity space relaxation room and part of the garden. It is our aim to improve access to all common areas, and maybe, eventually, all the bedrooms but then we are a retreat away from the modern world…
Children over the age of 5 are welcome at Villa Francini. Some Retreats are adults only and you must check with your group leader/tutor whether it is appropriate to bring minors along. Their decision will be final. Due to the historic nature of the house (stone stairs, fragile glass, hard flooring, antique furniture etc) and all rooms being on first and second floors, we do not feel that children under 5 would be safe or comfortable nor their parents relaxed.
Unfortunately we ask you to not bring your pet on a B&B holiday out of respect for other guests who may have allergies or other issues. We do have one double room, to be opened in early summer 2018, which will be appropriate for dogs sharing with owner(s). However, if you are booking exclusive use of the Villa then you may bring dogs and we will work with you to decide which rooms will be appropriate for pets to use. If coming on a Retreat you may bring dogs with the permission from your group leader/tutor and the other members of the group. If you are bringing a dog, please see the Terms and Conditions.
Of course. Mobile phone reception at the Villa is reasonable, sometimes dipping out but only momentarily. We also have e-mail and you are welcome to give loved ones back home the Villa’s contact details for use in case of emergency. Some retreats will encourage you to strictly limit the use of any digital device, especially if you are attending a Digital Detox Retreat. ‘Rules’ regarding phone usage will be set by the group leader/tutor and explained to you by him/her.
Prior booking is advised, especially if you are on a retreat with a large group of people and/or you have limited free time. If you would like to book ahead please wait until your accommodation is confirmed and then contact me. The therapist is fully UK qualified and is proud to have been awarded the credential of Fellow of the Federation of Holistic Therapists. Please see the separate page for the list of available therapies and prices. All therapies are payable in situ.
If you have booked via AirBnB you will be bound by their cancellation policy. If you have booked Bed and Breakfast directly with Villa Francini then you are bound by a 48hr cancellation policy. If you are booked onto a Retreat then contact your group leader/tutor as they will have defined the Terms and Conditions. Generally you are able to substitute another person in your place. For Exclusive Use Villa Rental you are bound by a 30 day cancellation policy but will lose your deposit and admin fees with less than 90 days notice. If you are unfortunate enough to have to cancel then I shall of course be happy to cooperate with your insurance company to ensure that you are not out of pocket.
Yes, it is covered by all laws and by-laws.
If we have availability you are more than welcome to. Please contact us to know whether the Villa is available or already committed to another retreat or other bookings.
We recommend comfortable clothes, cool cottons and linens in the summer with maybe a shawl/wrap for early morning dawn meditation and a cardigan/jacket/fleece in early season and towards autumn. . This is not a glamorous area per se (we’re in rural countryside not the centre of Milano…) but if you would like to bring a gorgeous dress for dinner then do feel free – they deserve to be worn! Comfortable shoes are a must for your countryside walks. Bring a swimsuit and flip-flops for the pool. In the summer do not forget: Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum July and August if you plan to be outside) and some mozzie lotion if you’re extra tasty. Don’t bother to pack: Pool towels, bath towels, shower gel, hand-wash, hair-dryer (unless you really prefer your own). Most people forget how cold it can get in Italy in the winter but we are only two mountains away from the ski-resort so if you’re coming for Christmas and/or New Year then please pack accordingly! (Hot water bottles for bed-time provided).
If you are staying as a B&B guest then breakfast only is provided. Breakfast will vary daily but will generally include bread/toast, oats/muesli, fresh fruit, cheese, jam, delicious local honey, yogurt, juice, tea, herbal infusions and coffee. Eggs/omlette, French toast, vegetables etc will be included from time to time to vary the choice. If you are staying on a Retreat then your group leader/tutor will have all the details. Naturally we will do whatever possible to accommodate particular diets but please do give us plenty of advance warning. The Italian shops have a surprisingly good selection of gluten-free alternatives to pasta but choice in other areas is extremely limited still. If you are booking the Villa for Exclusive Use then you will be here on a Self-Catering basis. You will have full use of the kitchen and details of local supermarkets, food shops and food markets will be sent to you ahead of time should you wish to do a shop en-route to the Villa. A cook and a housekeeper may be hired to take care of everything for you, if you wish. Please let us know if you would like to do this.
Check in is 3pm – Check out is 11am, unless by prior arrangement.
Villa Francini is strictly smoke-free anywhere on site. If you must smoke you will be asked to do so in an area just outside where provision will be made for the safe collection of ash and cigarette ends. Vaping is permitted, but we ask you to respect others and to refrain whilst at the table. Responsible drinking of alcohol is allowed although if you are attending a Retreat alcohol may, however, not be available depending on the type of Retreat. Do check with your Retreat Leader or organiser for clarification. Drugs are not tolerated.
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