Hotel Review: Casa Maria Luigia ⋆ Travel Candi

Hotel Review: Casa Maria Luigia

Modena most likely isn’t on your bucket list. You may have not even heard of Modena, however, Modena isn’t a city to overlook. Packed inside such a small area, Modena is filled with historic sites and gastronomic experiences, including the famed Osteria Francescana.

Staying in the heart of the historic center of Modena may be appealing, but staying at Casa Maria Luigia is an experience on its own. Located approximately 15 minutes outside of the historic center of Modena, Casa Maria Luigia is a private estate with 12 cozy, classy rooms. Upon arriving at the property, which was curated by power couple Laura Gilmore and Massimo Bottura, you’ll feel a sense of immediate relaxation rush over you as you’re warmly welcomed by the casa’s staff. Plus, staying here gets you first in line for reservations at one of the world’s most well-known restaurants.

You’ll immediately notice the immaculately curated property grounds, which I highly recommend browsing around to learn more about some of the restaurant’s flavors and to admire the flora and fauna. The 18th century mansion’s interior is a mix of modern and vintage, with personal items from the couple everywhere.

Room Booked: Festina Lente

The hotel’s first room category to book is the “Festina Lente” room. This room features a large bed, a small seating area, an in-suite bathroom with local toiletries, and the most adorable accent decorations placed perfectly around.

The small gift of local delicacies was the perfect touch to welcome us to the region and we still dream about the flavor of the parmesan cheese.

Bathroom

While the bathroom in the Festina Lente rooms are small, they’re carefully constructed and have the most intricate touches found throughout. One negative was the size of the vanity being so small that it made it a bit difficult to get ready for dinner due to the space limitations.

Casa Maria Luigia Festina Lente Sitting Area

The Hotel Restaurant: Francescana at Maria Luigia

Breakfast is also at the on-site Francescana location, served in a well-organized buffet style or a la carte,, with the offering being a variety of seriously delicious baked goods and Michelin-starred regional Italian specialties.

Several of Osteria’s flagship dishes are served here, which are notably no longer served at the original restaurant in central Modena.

Activities

At the hotel you can do nothing or you can do everything. The hotel’s grounds are filled with gardens, hidden seating areas, and there’s a beautiful pool with plenty of space for all guests. Fill up on all the snacks and drinks offered free of charge or save space for a multi-course tasting menu at Francescana at Maria Luigia.

Overall

Casa Maria Luigia is a perfectly appointed country estate that you won’t want to leave. Our regret as we departed was that we had not booked more time there to sit back and relax. We also would have loved to have tried Francescana at Maria Luigia for dinner (but we did love our dining experience at the original Osteria Francescana). Every single element at this hotel is perfectly planned and we can’t compliment the service enough.

What We Loved

Beautiful, bespoke details are everywhere. From the entrance to the rooms and in each common area, each piece of art and design was thoughtfully implemented.
The rich, local treats in each guest room upon arrival is a nice welcome to the hotel.
Snacks, fresh lambrusco, and delectable desserts are available for guests at any time of the day. There’s a whole new meaning to “raid the fridge” now.
If you are unable to grab a table at Osteria Francescana in the heart of Modena, the hotel has an on-site restaurant that’s guaranteed to guests (Francescana at Casa Maria Luigia).
Every morning, the breakfast buffet was fully-stocked with a wide selection of handmade delights. There’s also an a la carte menu, which puts a vibrant and modern twist on boring breakfasts.

What You Should Know

The hotel is not within walking distance of Modena city center. Pre-booking a taxi is recommended (the hotel can handle this for you).
Despite the hotel’s adult-only policy, there were still guests who brought a toddler. This was quite the disturbance for guests who were at the Casa expecting quiet and relaxation.