La Palazzetta del Vescovo

Press Reviews

AWARDS

i-escape's Annual Guest Awards 2011
Winner: Romance category.
See the full list of winners

i-escape's Annual Guest Awards 2010
Overall Winner.
See the full list of winners

REVIEWS

Conde Nast 'Brides', November 2009
"Owned by quite possibly the loveliest couple in Italy, La Palazzetta del Vescovo is a small nine-room hotel close to Todi, in the sleepy Umbrian countryside. Set on the edge of a hillside with views stretching for miles, it has traditionally furnished rooms with large beds. Perugia, Assisi and Todi are all short drives away, while the surrounding countryside is wonderful for walking. The large swimming pool is fantastic, the home-cooked food wonderful and the atmosphere is more like staying in a friend's house than a hotel..."

Karen Brown's Guides
"After many years working as managers of multinational corporations in separate cities, gracious hosts Stefano and Paola Zocchi changed lifestyles and location. They decided on Umbria—midway between Milan and Rome—and bought the Palazzetta property sitting on a hill near Todi. Complete with 360-degree countryside views, their beautifully restored 17th-century stone home is a gem where guests enjoy spacious bedrooms with all the amenities ... [and] breakfast in the lovely dining room or out on the terrace facing an infinity pool that seems to look out on all of Umbria. Besides sightseeing in the area, arrangements can be made for massages, personal trainers, helicopter transfers from the airport, vineyard visits and cooking lessons with Paola."

Alastair Sawday's 'Go Slow Italy'
"Paola and Stefano love to pamper their guests and there's a 'wellness' room in the cellar. An informal elegance prevails... [Bedrooms have] a matchless view over steeply falling vineyards and the Tiber valley. On a clear day you can see as far as Perugia. The newly-planted gardens and the pool make the most of the outlook, too – as does the terrace, where you can enjoy an aperitif before Paola's Umbrian cuisine. She, like her house, is a delight – serene, smiling and friendly."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “This has got to be the most perfect place we have ever stayed at. The location is unrivalled and within (at most) 40 mins drive from some amazing towns. The Zocchis are an incredible couple. Despite it being towards the end of the season, their enthusiasm, hard work and attention was remarkable; always at hand in the morning to advise on day trips, routes and parking places which took the strain out of sightseeing. To say Paola's cooking is amazing is an understatement and Stefano's knowledge and choice of wines was brillant. He has a terrific sense of humour too! We decided, in the end, to eat in every night as the food was so fantastic - pasta with truffles, wild boar and lots of Tuscan specialities. After cooking us such amazing dishes, Paola proceed to cook a cake every night for breakfast and prepare the croissants for the next day. They were kindness itself and on arrival upgraded us to a superior room as, they said, we were staying for a week and the room was free.
  
  We cannot recommend this place highly enough and have come away with such lovely memories of Paola, Stefano and of course Chiaretta (the dog).”
  Isabella, United Kingdom (27.09.11)

• “Tremendous wine list. Great value and Stefano is a fantastic sommelier.
  A lovely place to stay with terrific hosts.”
  Thomas, United Arab Emirates (08.09.11)

• “Everything was totally wonderful, from our warm welcome to our beautiful room , the views and the outstanding quality of food.They are to be congratulated, it could not be bettered, nothing was too much trouble, and we very much look forward to staying again.”
  Penny, United Kingdom (15.08.11)

• “Just back from a wonderful couple of days at the Palazetta. Paulo and Stefano are tremendous hosts, welcoming without being over bearing, and the food, wine and views are just stunning!”
  julie, United Kingdom (09.07.11)

• “My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at la Palazzetta del Vescovo for the entirety of our 4 night honeymoon last week. We wanted a relaxing switch off after the hectic run up to our wedding and that is exactly what we got. The I-escape review described Stefano and Paula as ''possibly the nicest couple in Italy" and they certainly lived up to their reputation. With their geunine warmth, humour and hospitality it felt like a home from home and they felt like friends by the time we had to leave. Paula's cooking was outstanding and the complimentary aperitif of wine and antipasti before dinner was a lovely touch. The abundant views from their home are simply breathtaking and if it's peace and quiet you are after you can't go wrong, with only the bells of the local monastery punctuating the silence at regular intervals. Our one criticism is the fact that light snacks at lunchtime are not provided. It would have been wonderful not to have to tear ourselves away from a day by the pool to find a local restaurant. That said the first class food in the evening more than made up for this and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel to friends and family. Put simply this hotel is an Umbrian gem.”
  CARA, United Kingdom (18.06.11)

• “Loved the homely hospitality. Delicious wines with the best Italian food made from the freshest of ingredients. We had the most wonderful stay – extremely happy.
  
  Hiring a car was a good idea as long as you have a good map. We had a great afternoon in Deruta making pots and buying pottery. The cooking afternoon with our hostess was very organised and educational preparing a 4 course dinner for ourselves and fellow guests!! It was delicious. We felt 3 days was not long enough to see and do the area justice.
  
  Thank you for making us aware of this very special hotel run by a delightful couple who could not have been kinder.”
  Mrs Sarah-Jane, United Kingdom (06.06.11)

• “My husband and I stayed for our honeymoon and had a wonderful stay. Paula and Stefano were such wonderful hosts and went out of their way to be helpful. Paula is a wonderful cook and we highly recommend guests stay for dinner here. We had wild boar that was freshly caught the day before. Stefano is a knowledgeable wine expert who helped to pair the wine with the food perfectly. The room was wonderful and set in a beautiful house with stunning views. My husband and I highly recommend staying here!”
  Siobhan, Hong Kong (27.03.11)

• “A fabulous spot, run by a charming couple who couldnt have been more helpful and welcoming. Superb food, incredible hilltop position and outstanding service.
  We will be back as soon as possible!”
  Poppy, United Kingdom (14.09.10)

• “The setting, food, wine, rooms, and the owners. It was first class.
  Visit a vine yard, see the surrounding cities, try the local cuisine, rent a car.
  I think you should make it clear you have really need to rent a car if you visit here.”
  Harry, United Kingdom (25.07.10)

• “Paola and Stephano are the perfect hosts; it felt like we were attending a dinner party every evening. The food and wine were excellent and plentiful, and the setting idyllic. The location was so relaxed and beautiful that it was difficult to drag ourselves away, either from poolside or when it came time to leave.”
  Antony, United Kingdom (17.07.10)

• “An exceptional hotel run by two of the most generous and kind people we have ever met. It was absolutely faultless - Paola and Steffano could not have made us feel any more welcome - from Paola's wonderful cooking to Steffano's extensive knowledge of Italian wine - they catered for our every need and that of our 18 month old duaghter. Thank you both (and Chiaretta the dog) for a spectacular holiday.”
  Holly, United Kingdom (17.07.10)

• “We cannot rate Palezetta highly enough. The accommodation and food were absolutely excellent. The location is great for day trips around Umbria. Stefano and Paula are wonderful hosts, providing a really top class personal service, for example helping my husband organise a cycle hire, and very helpful with suggestions for trips out locally. Their genuinely warm hospitality was fabulous.”
  Linda, United Kingdom (26.06.10)

• “An absolutely outstanding guesthouse. We had such an amazing time at La Palazetta, nothing is too much for Stefano & Paola. We can't wait to go back!! From the food, the views, the ambience and the company of the owners we have simply been bowled over.”
  Jacqueline, United Kingdom (12.06.10)

• “La Palazetto del Vescovo is the perfect honeymoon location - an exquistely restored property in a beautiful hilltop location. Hosts Paola and Stefano take care of every detail to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible, and have lots of helpful advice on what to do and see in the area. Alternatively you can just lounge by the infinity pool and watch the landscape. Perfect!”
  Anita, Netherlands (08.06.10)