Italy Hotels: Hotel Logge del Perugino, Umbria. A pink interlude between Umbria and Tuscany.

On entering Città della Pieve, one is immediately struck by the beautiful neo-Renaissance building surrounded by a park of forest trees – ilex, pines, palms and horse-chestnuts – overlooking a green valley. The old noble residence has been completely remodelled by the architects Puleo and Innamorati and reopened to the public as a four-star hotel in 2002.

A large, carefully tended Italian garden extends in the front, with a boxwood hedge that encloses very old rose plants and other flowers, forming delicate geometric designs. Large Tuscan terracotta pots overflowing with geraniums stand at the corners. The garden continues on a number of levels, opening unexpectedly on a circular space with a gazebo, woven through with climbing roses, which shelters tables where tea is served. In the distance is a medieval Poor Clare monastery, where it is possible – in the early morning – to attend a sung Mass.

A large area is reserved for the splendid, heated swimming pool with its sinuous form and hydromassage corner, tiled with a mosaic representing a river and surrounded by a grassy lawn with chaises longues for sunbathing - all of which is encircled by majestic trees. And overlooking the countryside of Umbria are large terraces set off with white balustrades, where it is pleasant to relax in comfortable outdoor armchairs under the broad umbrellas.

Entering the lobby, to the right is a small American bar and to the left the reception and breakfast room. In the elegant sitting rooms, the mood is set by precious velveteen Spanish fabrics with floral patterns in warm colours – brick red, soft green, wheat yellow, apricot pink – covering the inviting armchairs and sofas placed around the fireplace. The curtains take up the same colours with a classic striped pattern. An antique bookshelf is lined with books for use by the guests. The interior design is completed by elegant pillows, nineteenth-century paintings and floral compositions. The floors in all the common spaces are made by the masters of the “Sassi di Assisi”. Le Sibille Restaurant, open to the public, offers authentic specialities of the local cuisine.

Of the 24 rooms, 22 are located in the main building and 2 in the charming dépendance. The spacious rooms look out over the garden or valley and are furnished with comfortable beds covered with bright bedspreads made of an English-style fabric with red flowers, and a small desk. A dark green carpet softens the sound. The rooms are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, a frigobar, satellite TV, safe, direct telephone and modem outlet for Internet use.

Inside the hotel, the Danae Beauty Center has an elegant yet comfortable space, offering a new dimension in traditional beauty care and in specific treatments for the face and body. Three small rooms are available for lipolytic treatments, physiosauna with slimming algae, mud with thermal cots, aromatherapy, collagen masks, stone massage – comfort touch, shiatsu massage, peeling, lymphodrainage, lushly footbaths, and body treatment with wrapping. Guests may use the beautiful tiled Turkish bath and solarium shower or request yoga sessions. Treatments are available individually or in personalized packages. Regular clients become Club members and enjoy special discounts.

Very close to the hotel is the Fonteverde Thermal Centre in San Casciano dei Bagni, where the ‘Day Spa’ programmes make it possible to enjoy the beneficial qualities of these thermal waters that have been recognized and appreciated since the Roman period.