Pianaura Suites
Pianaura Suites are two eclectic and chic suites set in a 17th century farmhouse overlooking Valpolicella’s rolling hills near Lake Garda.
You are in the middle of nature and you can see the whole of Lake Garda with the mountains behind.
Favai Hills
Panoramic lake views in all apartments.
Finnish sauna & private whirlpool in the Living SPA Suites.
What is the story behind Favai Hills, what was your inspiration to create it?
Favai Hills is a private hideaway but with a personal touch. We both work in the catering industry and when we go on vacation, we don't book 500-bed castles to stay in. We always look for small hideaways and prefer to stay in apartments and bungalows in different corners of the world, with the Caribbean being a favourite.
But the biggest problem with staying in a bungalow or private home is that you don't get breakfast. I like the peace and solitude of not having staff or other people running around all day. But going out looking for breakfast in the morning is a drawback. That's why we wanted to do something like this. Very few people want all-inclusive anymore but breakfast is nice. So that is the cornerstone of what we offer.
For a few years, we were looking for our own private hideaway, somewhere around Lake Garda. A spot where we could enjoy our spare time, overlooking the lake, while not being far from nice restaurants. We wanted to create a place where we could recharge our batteries for a week or so, with all the conveniences of home.
At Favai Hills, you have peace and quiet, you have privacy and everything you need. But you also have breakfast in your suite or on your private terrace and a personal concierge who can book restaurants for you or recommend places to go. They get to know you a little and suggest things, based on what you like.
Unlike at a large hotel where everything happens relatively anonymously, you have a personal “friend”. If you need anything, someone is there for you 24 hours a day via WhatsApp. Even if you’re out driving and are looking for a good restaurant in Salò, for example, you can message our personal assistant for advice.
We have only been open for just over a year but already, 20% of our guests have stayed four times or more. I think that says a lot.
How would you describe the atmosphere, architecture and interior design of Favai Hills?
We worked with Bergundtal, a South Tyrol-based architecture and interior design company that specialises in luxury hotels. We didn’t want to use glass and concrete but rather natural materials, such as the red Verona marble you can see on the external walls.
Sustainability was important to us, so we have a photovoltaic system above the parking lot. We also have triple-glazed windows (which is unusual on Lake Garda) and this wasn’t just to keep the apartments warm in the wintertime but also to reduce the need for air-conditioning in the summer.
Each apartment is unique and we tried to incorporate as many of the existing materials on the property into the design. For example, there was a historic sheepfold with an old stone vault that is now our Cantina Trust Bar. On the other hand, there are lots of modern touches, such as the lamps from Karman that help to make each apartment individual. Many of the furnishings and benches are custom-made.
The atmosphere at Favai Hill is quiet but you can be anywhere in 10 minutes. In the summertime, you can hear the crickets and a few cowbells from way up high and in the winter, you don't hear anything. You are in the middle of nature and you can see the whole of Lake Garda with the mountains behind. Not only does everyone have their own private garden but there are three hectares of land for a maximum of eight people.
What we effectively sell is peace and privacy. “Favai” is an old word meaning “squirrel”, which is our logo. It’s a word that works in the three different languages of the region — German, Italian and Ladin — and squirrels also reflect the peace and isolation of the forest.
To you personally, what is so special about Favai Hills?
It feels like being on vacation for me, even though I work here, as I am always meeting really lovely people. Despite visiting Lake Garda for the last 13 years, we still do sunset photos and are amazed by the view and the peace. When you arrive and get out of the car, you think: “Oh, I’m here”. The stress goes away and you feel calm.
Most of our new guests arrive and want to book this and this. Then after the second day, they cancel everything as they wonder: “Why should we go down there when it’s so beautiful up here?” For me, being at Favai Hills is a balm for the soul.
And the apartments are pet friendly?
Yes, we do specialise in dogs, as we have a lot of private land for them to run around on. There are lots of hiking trails that lead down to the lake or up the slopes of Monte Baldo and each apartment has a fenced private garden where they can lie in the sun. We have a dog ourselves and being a dog-friendly property is one of our drawcards.
At Favai Hills, there are four apartments, each of which is furnished in the same style but is also unique due to the existing structural conditions. On the left is the stone house, which was built around 1870 and was completely renovated, with the basement cut open and glass windows placed in front to take advantage of the view.
In contrast, the house on the right is from around 1970 and is partially built from stone and partially from Siberian oak. Each apartment has a slightly different layout due to what was there before but each has the same amenities — a living room with a kitchenette and a balcony, plus a terrace and views across Lake Garda.
Each suite consists of one double bedroom, a bathroom with shower, a living area with a double sofa bed, and a private garden or private terrace.
Suite Cathérine offers all the amenities, such as a fully equipped kitchen and a private garden with its own Jacuzzi (april to october). In the suite, named after Cathérine Deneuve, you have two levels of pure comfort at your disposal. It definitely provides enough freedom to live your own story.
From the kitchen on the ground floor, you have direct access to the terrace, which invites you to sunbathe on comfortable lounge furniture and deck chairs. The large window front in the living room allows you to start the night with one of our fantastic cocktail creations and a view of nature.
FEATURES
• magnificent view of the surrounding woods and meadows
• living room with kitchen, large window front and direct access to the terrace
• private garden with Jacuzzi (April to October)
• bathroom with shower, large tub and window
AMENITIES
• contemporary design by Architectural Office Berg und Tal, Bruneck (BZ)
• all private gardens are fenced and equipped with outdoor shower
• well-stocked wine cabinet with chilled white wine
• fully-equipped kitchen
• garden with lounge furniture and sun loungers
• wooden floors with underfloor heating
• air-condition
• luxurious care products made by our partner Piroche, Merano (BZ)
• amenities plastic free, if possible
• Dyson hair-dryer
• Simmons mattresses
• pillows and duvets from the South Tyrolean company Daunenstep
• Italian bed linen made from the finest cotton
• flat screen TV
• bathroom with shower/toilet
• Hamilton Beach juicer
• electric water jug Plissé made by Alessi
• towels made by Frette
• Chemex coffee carafe for filter coffee
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Smeg blender for your smoothies
• tea pot for tea
• mechanical typewriter to write your story
In Suite Grace, named after the outstanding actress Grace Kelly, you can recharge your batteries in the private Jacuzzi (April to October). A bridge takes you to your private garden, where you can enjoy the outdoor shower. The large panoramic terrace offers a wonderful view of Lago di Garda – relax in private on the suite’s premium-quality lounge furniture and treat yourself to a glass of hand-selected wine from the wine cabinet.
FEATURES
• private Jacuzzi (April to October)
• living room with kitchen, large window front and panoramic terrace
• bridge to the private garden with outdoor shower
• bathroom with window
AMENITIES
• contemporary design by Architectural Office Berg und Tal, Bruneck (BZ)
• all private gardens are fenced and equipped with outdoor shower
• well-stocked wine cabinet with chilled white wine
• fully-equipped kitchen
• garden with lounge furniture and sun loungers
• wooden floors with underfloor heating
• air-condition
• luxurious care products made by our partner Piroche, Merano (BZ)
• amenities plastic free, if possible
• Dyson hair-dryer
• Simmons mattresses
• pillows and duvets from the South Tyrolean company Daunenstep
• Italian bed linen made from the finest cotton
• flat screen TV
• bathroom with shower/toilet
• Hamilton Beach juicer
• electric water jug Plissé made by Alessi
• towels made by Frette
• Chemex coffee carafe for filter coffee
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Smeg blender for your smoothies
• tea pot for tea
• mechanical typewriter to write your story
In addition to a wonderful view of Lake Garda, Suite Sophia also offers a private garden with its own outdoor shower, providing refreshments like a gentle summer rain. On the spacious terrace, you can enjoy the Italian sun and then have a glass of ice-cold white wine under the cover of the pergola. With a view of the impressive mountain massif and the gentle lake scene in the foreground, you are closer to nature than ever. The unique panorama is omnipresent in this suite inspired by Sophia Loren.
FEATURES
• pergola
• spacious eat-in kitchen with a large window front
• direct access to the private garden with outdoor shower
• bathroom with shower, tub and window
AMENITIES
• contemporary design by Architectural Office Berg und Tal, Bruneck (BZ)
• all private gardens are fenced and equipped with outdoor shower
• well-stocked wine cabinet with chilled white wine
• fully-equipped kitchen
• garden with lounge furniture and sun loungers
• wooden floors with underfloor heating
• air-condition
• luxurious care products made by our partner Piroche, Merano (BZ)
• amenities plastic free, if possible
• Dyson hair-dryer
• Simmons mattresses
• pillows and duvets from the South Tyrolean company Daunenstep
• Italian bed linen made from the finest cotton
• flat screen TV
• bathroom with shower/toilet
• Hamilton Beach juicer
• electric water jug Plissé made by Alessi
• towels made by Frette
• Chemex coffee carafe for filter coffee
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Smeg blender for your smoothies
• tea pot for tea
• mechanical typewriter to write your story
Suite Audrey provides a relaxed atmosphere and stylish design on two levels. The fully equipped kitchen and a well-stocked wine cabinet offer plenty call for a night full of culinary delights spent with your loved ones. When you wake up in the suite inspired by Audrey Hepburn, you can welcome the new day on the spacious panoramic balcony and feel the tranquillity of Lake Garda.
The best way to make it through the hot midday is a short siesta in your private loggia, which provides pleasantly cool shade. In the evenings, the heat of the day covers your suite in coziness before you lie down in your high-quality duvet made by the South Tyrolean company “Daunenstep”.
FEATURES
• breath-taking view on 2 levels
• fully equipped eat-in kitchen
• large panoramic window with a fantastic view
• 2 premium bathrooms with shower, tub and window
• bedroom with large panoramic balcony
• private garden with outdoor shower
• roofed loggia
AMENITIES
• contemporary design by Architectural Office Berg und Tal, Bruneck (BZ)
• all private gardens are fenced and equipped with outdoor shower
• well-stocked wine cabinet with chilled white wine
• fully-equipped kitchen
• garden with lounge furniture and sun loungers
• wooden floors with underfloor heating
• air-condition
• luxurious care products made by our partner Piroche, Merano (BZ)
• amenities plastic free, if possible
• Dyson hair-dryer
• Simmons mattresses
• pillows and duvets from the South Tyrolean company Daunenstep
• Italian bed linen made from the finest cotton
• flat screen TV
• bathroom with shower/toilet
• Hamilton Beach juicer
• electric water jug Plissé made by Alessi
• towels made by Frette
• Chemex coffee carafe for filter coffee
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Smeg blender for your smoothies
• tea pot for tea
• mechanical typewriter to write your story
We offer guests a very nice breakfast, which they can enjoy in their suite, on their private terrace or on the shared terrace. We can also arrange for it to be served in a basket if they want to have breakfast somewhere on the grounds. Many of the breakfast items are sourced locally, such as butter and cheese from the local dairy. We make the jam ourselves and we don’t use disposable portions.
Vanja is there during the day and can arrange for drinks or a cheese platter at lunch, as well as organise cars, boats and restaurant reservations. Guests can do this in person or via WhatsApp. We also have the Cantina (an honesty bar) where guests can select their own wines or organic pasta from Felicetti, which is one of the largest producers after Barilla.
In all of the bathrooms are organic shower gels, soaps and shampoos from South Tyrol. They are made without parabens or silicone, so they are 100% eco-friendly. All of these are refillable and not disposable.
I’d recommend hiking Monte Baldo to soak up the views and exploring the wineries of Amarone. In around 20 minutes, you can be in the heart of this wine-growing region, with several wineries offering guided tastings. In seven or eight minutes, you can be at the Paolo Bonomelli Boutique Olive Farm, which produces some of the best olive oil in Italy.
Alternatively, you can rent a boat to go to the other side of Lake Garda or enjoy windsurfing and kite surfing in the north. We’re not far from the cultural attractions and shopping of Verona or the Roman excavations of Sirmione. Surrounding Lake Garda are a lot of small towns and villages to explore.
For guests who like to party, there are several beach clubs on the shores of Lake Garda. Then as soon as you retreat to Favai Hills, you have total calm. Everything can be reached in less than 20 minutes, so you never have to go far. Within 10 or 15 minutes are restaurants run by award-winning chefs and simple trattorias — you have it all.
We are located in the middle of the countryside along a gravel road that feels far out of the way. But in less than 10 minutes, you can be in the village of San Zeno where you’ll find restaurants and shops. It has been nicknamed the “Terrace of Lake Garda" and is just seven minutes or so from the water.
On the lake shore is Castelletto with its small harbour and three or four very good restaurants, as well as a small bay for swimming. In 10 minutes, you can be at the chairlift that ascends to Monte Baldo. Verona is 35 minutes away.
Around 20 minutes from Favai Hills is Punta San Vigilio, which is home to one of the most beautiful beaches on Lake Garda, Baia delle Sirene. Backed by an olive grove, this private beach has sun loungers and a bistro belonging to Giovanni Rana, the “father” of tortellini.
Before we opened Favai Hills, we preferred to visit Lake Garda from September to May and less so in the summer months. But it remains open all year round and each season has its charm.
In general, northern Europeans travel over the Brenner Pass in February, March and April when it is starting to get warm here. You can have lunch outside and lie in the sun. It's quieter than later in the season but all the best restaurants are already open.
In September and October, it’s similar. When the first thunderstorms arrive back home, you still have golden autumn on Lake Garda. Even into November, you can enjoy lunch outside with the sun shining and it’s wonderfully warm.
Winter can also be nice as it’s very quiet but you have to go up the hill where it’s warmer than down in the valley. Below is usually covered in fog and it feels as though you are at 3,000 metres. Most of the good restaurants where the locals go remain open, so it’s a good time to visit if you want to detox from life. January is the only month with the possibility of snow but it’s usually only for a couple of days.
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