We would like to find a wonderful place to stay in the country not far fron Assisi. We would like for it to have a lovely location, views, and a pool. We had originally chosen a spot further away, but that does not seem to be working out well. We will be there for only 5 days, so can't do the apartment thing, but will have a car. Thanks for any help you can offer. <BR>DeAnn

Oh my gosh, DeAnn! Don't miss Malvarina. It's Umbrian heaven, not far from Assisi. Meets all your requirements and is not expensive. Fantastic dinner cooked by mama and her staff. Some of the rooms have little kitchenettes. My husband and I were there in October and I can't wait to go back.

Oops! Malvarina website is www.malvarina.it

I have also heard very good thinks about the Malvarina, I hope to go out and see it soon.<BR>Anther possibility is SANTA MARIA degli ANCILLOTTI<BR>http://assisi.hypermart.net/<BR>This is a 4 star hotel close to Assisi (a bit difficult to find - if you would like detailed directions let me know). It is really fabulous - there are only 8 rooms (very big) and guests are treat incredibly well by Paolo and his family.<BR>

DeAnn,I have stayed at above and loved it. However, it will be more expensive than Malvarina. The setting is great.

I didn't see any prices on the Malvarina website. Do you remember how much it was?

Sandi, I have a brochure but can't locate it at the moment. We paid the equivalent of about $80 US/night for the room that's pictured on their website in the upper lefthand side after you've clicked on "Our Rooms." Huge room with its own private patio in a little building connected to the main house. Dinner was about $25/pp, a mulitcourse extravaganza that lasted several hours and was worth double the cost.

It looks great. I bookmarked it for sure!

We will be traveling in July. Will air conditioning be an issue? I noticed that Santa Maria degli Ancillotti does have AC - does Malvarina?<BR>Thanks!

Nope, no AC at Malvarina. It's fairly high up on the side of Mt. Subasio so it may be cool in summer there. The October weather was really warm in Umbria, but our room at Malvarina was cool because the walls are very thick.

DeAnn, Malvarina is a bargain at about $90. SMdA will be closer to $150 for an apt. but is 4 star quality and almost new. The family lives there in the main house but only the 20 something son speaks much Inglese. You can also do the multi-course dinner thing.

How far is Malvarina from Assisi? We were given the price of 134 euros for a double room and half board for two for the end of April.

Sally, it's about 15-20 min. by car from Assisi to Malvarina. The price you were quoted sounds good. We paid about $80 for the room in October, and dinner was about $20 each. Ask for Il Casale, the room pictured on their website. We stayed there and it was heavenly.

Thanks a lot, Betsy. Actually, I saw three rooms pictured on their site.

Helen,<BR>Does your original vote for your favorite Hotel in Assisi go to the Hotel Giotto? Made reservation there for first week in July.<BR>Hope you still feel this way.<BR>Love your input!

Sally, Il Casale is pictured in the upper left hand corner of the pictured rooms--the one with the yellow bedspread.

Uh-oh...knew I should have checked before I sent the message above. Malvarina's website is different from the last time I visited. There is a photo of the outside of Il Casale at http://www.malvarina.com/eng_cottages.html. They're calling it an independent cottage. Sorry!

Hi Jack<BR>I just love the Giotto - but like a lot of other hotels you have to be careful on which room you get - make sure you contact me before booking (or after - it is probably the same) and I will ring them to check.

Actually Jack<BR>Let me know in advance - probably better after all.

Hi Helen,<BR>I have sent you an email regarding my reservation at the Hotel Giotto.<BR>Thanks for your interest.