Fodor's Expert Review Relais San Vigilio

Brothers Gigi and Paolo Zani transformed a castle and soldiers' barracks dating from the Middle Ages into a retreat just above the Città Alta. Original architectural features like stone arches and wooden beams are seen in many of the rooms, along with the castle fortification, which is incorporated into the terraced gardens and pergolas where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and aperitifs during the spring and summer. Rooms are tastefully decorated in shades of gray and white and each has a unique modern work of art created by a Bergamo artist as well as vintage pieces—like a leather vaulting horse. Opt for one of the "relax" rooms, which has a soaking tub and shower, or a terrace room with views of the city below; there are also two rooms designed for families with sofas that become single beds. An on-site restaurant, Cucina, serves lunch, dinner, and tasting menus with a focus on meat and fish and Italian-influenced dishes with a contemporary flair.