Via Covini 16, Orta San Giulio Italy
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#4 of 12 hotels in Orta San Giulio
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Travellers' Choice
LA DARBIA, originally a small rural settlement where the principal occupation was agriculture, is located on the hillside that climbs upwards from the town of Orta following the natural slope of the mountain towering over it. A recent intervention led to the hamlet's revival and its destination as a tourist resort; the characteristic symbol is the little stone tower that gave the entire complex its name. The buildings that comprise LA DARBIA are all different from each other in shape and furnishings and are separated by yards and pedestrian lanes. Surrounded by foliage, the ground floor apartments have private gardens and a portico, while those on the first floor come with terraces. All the apartments enjoy sunny positions with a wonderful view of Lake Orta, the Island of San Giulio and Monte Rosa. The private gardens are towards the front of the park facing Lake Orta, as is the swimming-pool with the sunbathing area and the Nebbiolo vineyard, cultivated on the pre-existent terraced land, which dates back to the XVIII century. The parking spaces are to be found at the back along the driveway in the vicinity of the apartments. In the interior of the property there is a play area with suitable equipment for the use and enjoyment of our younger guests. A large wooded area, with an abundance of native species such as century-old chestnut, hornbeam and maple trees, surrounds the property. There is also a spring on the grounds belonging to the La DARBIA complex at just a short distance from the living quarters. It may be reached following a trail and the pure crystal water that flows from it is used on the property. Situated in an isolated area perfect for pure relaxation, LA DARBIA is also a strategic starting point to discover the many riches the surrounding territory has to offer: the town of Orta, one of the most beautiful in Italy, is within easy walking distance and from here one may discover the splendid Island of San Giulio and Sacro Monte, a Unesco heritage site. For mountain lovers, Mottarone with its breathtaking views, is nearby and so is the renowned tourist destination Lake Maggiore and its islands.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pool
Infinity pool
Outdoor pool
Concierge
Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Sofa
Clothes rack
Iron
Kitchenette
Dishwasher
Bath / shower
Microwave
Refrigerator
Kitchenware
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Family
Languages Spoken
English, French, German
Location
43Car recommended
Grade: 43 out of 100
10Restaurantswithin 1 km
9Attractionswithin 1 km
Contact
Via Covini 16, Orta San Giulio Italy
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The most magical, incredible spot - the photos don’t do it justice. From amazing views and magically scented apartments to the cutest breakfast basket deliveries, this place has it all!! If you are looking for an escape from everyday hustle and bustle and a base to explore Lake Orta from, you can’t go wrong here. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Everything was amazing
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
All I can say is WOW WOW. and a HUGE thank you to some of the most attentive and caring staff I have ever come across in 4 decades of travel. This is a small boutique hotel and their chef is vying for a Michelin Star. The culinary delight serves is worthy of being awarded the highest recognition. Breakfasts are served in your "apartment" which suited us really well. Sitting out on the terrace surrounded by the vegetable garden, and having some sundowners with a view out across Lago d'Orta, was a relaxing experience. It is within a good walk of Orta San Guilio, and if you are feeling up to a walking challenge, you can take a nice stroll along the lakeside of Orta San Guilio. And if you are a keen cyclist wanting to test yourself against the sharp inclines of the local roads, you will not be disappointed. There are some amazing historical buildings to visit around Lago d'Orta and you are also not too far from Lago Maggiore. …
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Date of stay: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We spent just under a week at La Darbia as a family and were blown away. From the arrival to the fantastic dinner to the heated pool. We simply enjoyed every minute at La Darbia. It is the perfect hideaway for families!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Fantastic view and a cosy garden with a nice pool. The breakfast is simple but good. However, for the price of around 300 Euros per night the service is inadequate. The interior is very cheap, mostly Ikea furniture. The apartment will be cleaned only every third day. An additional fruit for breakfast will be charged. Garbage must be disposed by yourself. In our case we had few disappointments like a broken Moka/Espresso maker, no hair dryer at first, then we got a broken one before we got a working one. At the cleaning after three days the floor was not cleaned, coffee and tea were not refilled. Garbage not emptied. It is possible to prepare food in the apartment, however, it has only very minimal equipment. In total, we enjoyed the garden and the view, but we think with little effort they could definitely make it much more convenient for the guests. And actually, for the price we would expect the small details to be just right. Some personal was very friendly and helpful, others rather grumpy.…
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Date of stay: September 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Wow! Every time we looked out at that stunning view! What a beautiful place La Darbia is. Though I would not want to go in the busier season (I fear it would feel like too many people on top of each other), I would not hesitate to recommend this place out of season. We were in a first floor room. The staff were very warm and welcoming. The accommodation was fabulous. The breakfast baskets were amazing - that delicious homemade marmalade, the locally made yoghurts, bread and butter, really made breakfast special. We also loved the gardens and outdoor seating areas and wandering around the vegetable beds. Despite the autumn chill, it was magical to sit under the pergolas looking out over the lake, even in the dark, with a glass of wine and a bowl of nibbles. This, for us, has to be the loveliest place we've stayed in. Oh, and the pool. Oh yes, the pool. We managed a few lengths even in late October! Fresh but pleasurable. Thank you to all the team at La Darbia, for making this a special and memorable holiday for us.…
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Date of stay: October 2019
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: First floor rooms probably have better views of the lake than ground floor rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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This complex occupies a commanding position overlooking the waters of Lake Orta. The views from the hotel are quite amazing. Indeed having travelled fairly extensively over four decades I can think of few vistas that come close by comparison. Truly stunningly beautiful. The hotel is composed of a series of two-storey stone houses all enjoying the aforementioned outlook. We booked C'era due volte a first floor apartment composed of lounge/diner, bedroom, small bathroom and terrace. Whilst rather minimalist with, as one previous reviewer described, ‘Ikea-style’ furniture, the room was nevertheless spacious and reasonably well equipped. However, it did lack ‘warmth’ – a few pictures on the walls and a rug on the floor perhaps would improve the ‘high class hall of residence’ feel enormously. The large walled first floor terrace was a real asset. The vine-covered grounds and heated swimming pool occupying the slopes below the hotel accommodation are idyllic. However what we had failed to fully appreciate – and I venture one does not really get the correct impression from la Darbia’s website – is just how much the operation is essentially a self-catering complex albeit with a lovely, if expensive, restaurant attached. Indeed, the restaurant is run as a semi-independent enterprise. Being a resident does not guarantee you a reservation as we discovered, so if you wish to eat there when you arrive book in advance. Nevertheless, on Wednesday evening (when it is closed), a free supper of cold meats, cheese and wine was generously provided. Reception is tiny and there is no lounge or bar service for the pool that we saw. There is no chambermaid service so rooms are not made up during your stay. Although delivered to your room with efficiency and good as far as it goes, the breakfast arrangements are disappointing. What is brought to your door in terms of products is generally fine, although with little variety eg. type of bread and jam the same each day. No beverages or juices are included, which can be an inconvenience on your first morning as no such supplies (beyond what the previous guests donated?) are available in the room. There was a packet of ground coffee but no percolator or means of making it. Also the ‘extras’ available to order – meats, cheese, eggs – are, I suggest, items which most good hotels would include in their standard breakfast offer. The welcome, at least in our experience, can be patchy. While we arrived at 6.15pm, it was not made clear that our breakfast order had to be submitted by 7pm; we were not provided with a local map; neither were we given the correct codes necessary to enter/exit the complex – something that caused considerable anxiety later that evening when returning after dinner from San Giulio. It would also have been useful to be warned that San Giulio is a pedestrian only town as we nearly got into difficulties driving in there at night. So, as the phrase goes, a ‘mixed bag’ albeit set upon a magnificent location…
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Date of stay: September 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Request a non-ground floor room in order to enjoy the stunning views
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We had a fantastic stay at La Darbia. We received a warm welcome from Angela who is ready with information if you ask. All apartments - whether you have a balcony or a terrace and garden - offer a fabulous view over Lake Orta (and the vineyard in front). The interior is rather simple but with everything you need (also air conditioning and wifi). You have to order your breakfast items each day. The ‘basic’ breakfast basket contains bread, croissants, butter, milk, yoghurt and jam but you can order extra items at a surcharge, such as Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Toma cheese, salami, eggs, fruit. All products are fresh and of very high quality. You can also buy some things in the reception area: Prosecco, wine, lemonade and water. The apartment was clean, the shower rather tiny. There was a great pool (one minor point: there were only 4 umbrellas for about 14 sunbeds; 2 more would be great, although we understand the owners do not want to spoil the breathtaking view). We forgot to bring swimming pool towels but could rent them. Nice! One night we were invited to an aperitif offered by the owner(s). Make sure you don’t miss this: it was in a superb setting (la cantina) with superb drinks and superb bread, meats and cheeses. Thank you again! And then the most wonderful thing about La Darbia: La Cucina! This restaurant has a marvelous terrace with splendid view, there is a romantic atmosphere and the food is really good. They use a lot of home-grown ingredients from their garden. The setting is so special. We would for sure return for the restaurant alone. Grazie! PS Make sure you bring some mosquito repellents as these tiny creatures ruined part of our enjoyment. In the evening we tried to read a book on our terrace but the pages were soon smudged with tiny corpses. We also tried to have a drink outside but the mosquitoes came buzzing around our heads. In the end insanity forced us into the appartment but during night they had a feast on us. My husband normally doesn’t get bitten but this time his legs were full of bites and so were mine. I didn’t have so many bites but the one's I got all caused a painful swelling around the area and itched terribly. A real nightmare!…
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Date of stay: July 2019
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Everything about La Darbia is high quality. The apartments are well appointed with quality fixtures and fittings. Each morning a stylish wicker basket arrives full of homemade breakfast goodies and you can continue the experience with lunch or dinner in the restaurant on site which has wonderful views and a terrace when warm. Many ingredients come from the owners' kitchen garden. The view is absolutely spectacular from all the apartments which have been designed to maximise on the setting. The infinity pool area is lovely - just note that when the weather is cold it isn't heated. The whole complex has been carefully designed and while it's a 20 minute walk into the old town (and around 45 minutes back depending on your fitness levels!) it's well worth it to be able to get away from the main tourist areas. Can't rate this place highly enough and will definitely be back.…
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: First floor apartments probably feel a bit more private but the ground floor ones have more...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Positive points Thé view top top Thé building Thé Size of thé suite Thé private terrase great Thé restaurant with à nice terrasse overlooking thé lake Good food reasonable Price for that quality Average check 40€ Critics Bad signalisation Décoration of room with Ikea furniture No service You have 5o adapt to their organisation You have to make your own breakfast.they supply thé good You have to make your room Ans 150€ Ok if it was an hotel
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
What a fantastic discovery....outstanding location and views that take your breath away. Our well appointed 2 bed apartment was spotlessly clean as was the whole complex. The restaurant ( guests only) is simply outstanding local cuisine ... incredibly the very reasonably priced menu, with plenty to chose from....changes every day !!!. We sat outside on the terrace overlooking lake Orta... simply magical. A real gem.... we will be back time and time again
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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PRICE RANGE
US$218 - US$466 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ItalyPiedmontProvince of NovaraOrta San Giulio
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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Claim Your ListingLA DARBIA: UPDATED 2022 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 174 Photos (Orta San Giulio, Italy) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about La Darbia
Which popular attractions are close to La Darbia?
Nearby attractions include Santuario Madonna della Bocciola (1.0 km), Villa Nigra (1.0 km), and Chiesa di San Rocco (1.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at La Darbia?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at La Darbia?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What are some restaurants close to La Darbia?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ristorante Villa Crespi, AgriGelateria, and Il Cucchiaio di Legno.
Are there opportunities to exercise at La Darbia?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at La Darbia?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, and German.
Are there any historical sites close to La Darbia?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Sacro Monte di Orta (1.3 km), Piazza Motta (2.0 km), and Villa Bossi (1.8 km).
Does La Darbia have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is La Darbia accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.