Rastrello, a fully restored 14th-century palazzo hotel that sits on the border of Umbria and Tuscany in Italy, in the medieval village of Panicale, will unveil its new Garden Annex next spring, introducing a further seven rooms to the boutique property, as well as a dedicated spa, meditation room and small outdoor pool in its gardens that overlooks the beautiful Umbrian countryside.
Bordering the garden of Rastrello, the new Garden Annex, designed by Pellizzari Studio, was a former abandoned building which has been lovingly restored to allow more guests to enjoy the unique offering at Rastrello, which has recently been certified B Corp for its sustainable and responsible practices. The expansion is set to nearly double the hotel’s capacity, bringing the room count from nine to 16, and each spacious suite, all overlooking Lake Trasimeno, will feature its own unique design.
The Garden Annex will feature a large guest lounge which overlooks the garden and the lake, where guests can enjoy breakfast, aperitivo, or simply relax and read or play a board game. The lounge will also be available for private dinners or small weddings up to a maximum of 40 people..
Just as with the current lounge, the new lounge will have complimentary house wines, craft beers and small bites from 4pm-7pm for aperitivo. All day, guests can refill their waters with the water filters there, as well as enjoy coffee and teas, including Rastrello’s farm-infusions, such as blueberry & basil, olive leaf & lemon or rosemary, lavender & mint.
The Spa will be situated on the lower level and will feature a sauna, shower and two lounge chairs. For added privacy, guests will be able to reserve the spa for hour intervals and can access alone with their room key. The Meditation Room can be found on the second level and has been designed acoustically to create the most serene environment. Guests can also book to have a massage or couples massage in the Meditation Room.
The Garden features a deck that overlooks the lake and will be home to the new dipping pool with fountain, lounge chairs, and tables for guests who wish to enjoy breakfast outdoors. The gate to the guest garden will be open throughout the day, allowing guests to walk freely between the two properties.
Rastrello also boasts a farm-to-table restaurant, Cucina & Giardino, headed up by celebrated regional chef Nicola Fanfano, and produces its own award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Overlooking Lake Trasimeno, Cucina & Giardino offers a panoramic garden terrace with breath-taking views as well as an intimate indoor space for guests and locals to enjoy. The majority of the produce used in the restaurant and bar comes from its organic gardens. The grains, wines, cheeses, charcuterie, spirits and sodas are from local suppliers, and the only imports at the restaurant are maple syrup from a family member’s sugar farm in Vermont, bananas, and smoked salmon.
