Villa Pia - anyone been?

[thetraveller]

I've found some old threads on Villa Pia in Umbria, but would love to hear views from anyone who has been recently. We're considering a holiday there, but it's quite a lot of money for us, so want to be sure!

In particular would be good to know a bit more about the accommodation. I know they have rooms in the main building and a separate building ("Palazzo Regina" just outside the gates). Which is better? Does the separate building have any garden / sitting area outside? I ask because DS (14mo) currently spends a lot of time napping, and it would be good to have a nice outside area to while away a few hours with a book whilst he sleeps.

Apologies for the specific questions, and hope someone knows the answers!

Haven't been but have looked at it, it does look good but the accommodation looks quite basic for hte price and for no childcare

Not very current but we went in 2007 when DS was just 5. Can't help with Palazzo Regina as they weren't using it the week we were there (not enough guests). There is a building at a right-angle to the house (you can see it on the website under Grounds), I think it must have been the stables, I would have thought a room in there would suit as you can sit outside in the main "square" and a baby monitor should be in range. My only concern with taking a little one is it's pretty much gravel everywhere by the house so difficult for ride on toys and grazed knees.

The lunches were the highlight of my day, and the free access to coffee machine, snacks, beer, wine etc. Not much to do locally if weather is bad unless you drive quite a way.

Thanks. The stables bit sounds good. DS finds gravel fascinating at the moment and can spend ages picking up and examining bits, so he would be in heaven!

I know someone who went last summer and really didn't enjoy it. I didn't grill her on the details but got the impression that she really didn't enjoy the whole "communal holiday in the middle of nowhere" thing. I also specifically remember her saying that bits of it were surprisingly un-child-friendly.

This is all hearsay so hopefully I'm bumping the thread and someone else who has been recently will reply.

Have you seen the reviews on Tripadvisor?

I've seen the reviews on Tripadvisor; it does seem to be a love it or hate it place. We're pretty comfortable with the communal aspect, and we know that area of Umbria reasonably well. We also live somewhere not massively child-friendly, so are used to dealing with that (up to a point). So things like stone stairs without stairgates (which I imagine you might get in a place like Villa Pia) don't worry us unduly; we just keep a close eye on DS and try to keep him away from the more obviously dangerous places.

Sounds like you might enjoy it then!

I haven't been to Villa Pia but we were in Umbria 2 years ago and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. It's absolutely stunning, the people are really friendly, the food is amazing and it's not nearly as busy as Tuscany.

For family travel tips check out my website: www.lovebabylovetravel.com.

All the best,

Anna

We also went in 2007 and were in the seperate 'new' building which was great, we also had two rooms one for us and one for the dc but our own bathroom, sort of almost like an apartment. It is right beside the original house, as orienteerer says, like a right angle to it. I'm sure if you are sitting in the courtyard with a monitor you could hear pretty easily, though you are likely to be surrounded by other people's tiddlers.

I looked at Villa Pia but this review really put me off!!!

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1438692-d255260-r15359268-Villa_Pia-Lippiano_Umbria.html