Borgomaro is the main village in the area's Maro valley - population 884 at the last count. Pastel houses line the river, there's a lovely 17th-century church, and children play barefoot in the square; it's an enchanting slice of rural Italy. Relais del Maro has a plum position in the centre of everything, and is run with big smiles by owner Elena and her mother. An albergo diffuso, it's spread over 3 ancient buildings which were once home to their ancestors and premises for a butcher, barber and baker. Now beautifully restored, they house 14 immaculate bedrooms, a breakfast room and a library-lounge. There's also a flower-filled garden overlooking the village, with a tranquil pool and a bubbling Jacuzzi. If your idea of luxury includes lazy siestas, relaxed walks and time to read, this place will top your wishlist.
Highs
- The experience of staying in an authentic Ligurian village; you feel part of local life
- Elegant guest rooms with beamed ceilings and very comfy beds
- Excellent breakfasts of local produce (complete with Prosecco for that holiday feeling!), plus delicious light lunches and homemade afternoon cakes
- Lots of options for easy day trips (hilltop towns, sweeping beaches, Dominican convents), as well as beautiful walking trails
- A commendable commitment to slow living and the environment - the albergo was restored sensitively, with the aim of keeping Borgomaro alive
Lows
- Guests staying in Casa del Borgo and Casa del Fienile have to walk to the main house for breakfast and to use the pool (3-5 minutes respectively)
- The church bell - though it's silenced at night
- Some rooms are smaller and darker than others due to restrictions imposed by the old buildings
- WiFi can be patchy, although they have installed a faster line
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique B&B
- 14 rooms
- Breakfast (+ light lunches on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Electric car charger
Rooms
The rooms are spread between 3 restored buildings. The décor in each house is slightly different, but all mix antique furniture and pretty floral fabrics. Mattresses are excellent, and the ensuites come with powerful showers (a couple have tubs, too).
The 6 rooms in Casa Madre (the main house) feature green walls and pops of cherry red in the cushions, lampshades and curtains. We stayed here in one of the studio-style rooms, which have little kitchenettes (fridge, hob, cutlery, pans) hidden in cupboards. We loved the view of the church, and waking to the sound of the river gushing beneath our window after a wonderful night’s sleep. Casa Madre also houses the only Suite, which has a Jacuzzi tub in its bathroom.
The rooms in Casa del Borgo are more rustic in style, with muted blues and creams beneath original beams. Our favourites here are Standard Double Room 11, which has a romantic canopy bed and a built-in closet where Grandpa Pepin hid from search parties during the war, and Standard Room 12 with its freestanding antique bath.
Those wanting maximum privacy should book into Casa del Fienile, an old barn on the edge of town where you'll find 2 Small Doubles. They’re darker and more cramped than the other rooms but make cosy hideaways; Room 21 has a vaulted ceiling and a wardrobe which was part of Grandma Evelina's dowry.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a highlight, served on the ground floor of Casa Madre or under the sun on the terrace. All food is sourced locally: biscotti and pastries from the nearby baker, traditional Robiola di Roccaverano and Testun Piemontese cheeses, homemade jams and tarts, fresh fruit and juices. There are bottles of chilled Prosecco, too, should you wish to start your day in style.
Complimentary afternoon cake is laid out around 5pm, along with coffee and all manner of teas. You can also order light lunches such as pasta, charcuterie plates and cheese boards, accompanied by excellent local wine.
In the evening, you’ll need to eat out. We strolled up the road to Censin Da Bea, a rustic trattoria set in an old watermill. There’s no menu; instead, dish after dish emerges from the kitchen and you help yourself to whatever takes your fancy. We gorged ourselves on local salami, focaccia (a Ligurian speciality), salad, slow-cooked bean stews, just-caught eels and tiramisu, before waddling back to our room full but happy. Should you want something simpler, there’s a pizzeria just a few doors along from Casa Madre.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Kids' meals
- Lunch by arrangement
- Organic produce
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Wander around atmospheric Borgomaro, with its 17th-century church, narrow alleys and crumbling houses
- Walk coastal and mountain paths, keeping your eyes peeled for marmots and chamois in the forests, and whales and dolphins out at sea
- Or hike in the Mercantour National Park with its Alpine lakes and wild mountain goats. The magnificent waterfalls of Arroscia are also worth the walk
- Beaches are a few km away. Spiaggia d’Oro, Bagni Manè and Bagni Oneglio are the best - sandy and popular with families. Laigueglia is backed by shops and restaurants; Balzi Rossi on the French border is emptier and fringed by beautiful red rocks
- Drive to Apricale, an ancient village that clings precariously to a mountainside, and Taggia, which has a famous bridge and a Dominican convent filled with valuable art
- Visit the town of Cervo, balanced on a hilltop high above the coast. Its steep, winding lanes lead up to a castle with sweeping views, and there are cafés with panoramic terraces
- Bring bikes and cycle the lovely coastal trail from San Lorenzo to San Remo and on to Ospedaletti, which winds 24km along a disused railway
- Head to Sant'Ampelio, whose sunset is said to be one of the best in the world
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Mountain biking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Well being
- Whale watching
- Wildlife
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are warmly welcomed. Babysitting can be arranged, and there are plenty of safe, family-friendly beaches nearby.
Family friendly accommodation:
All rooms except Room 22, a Small Double, can fit a baby cot. Some Standard Rooms and the Suite have double sofabeds (often on a separate level) and can sleep up to 4 plus a baby; others have space for a rollaway bed.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Available on request
Children's meals:
There are plenty of child-pleasing options at breakfast, and lunches can be adapted on request. The kitchenettes in the studio-style rooms are handy for preparing snacks
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Relais del Maro is set in Borgomaro, in the Maro valley in Liguria, northern Italy. It's 20 minutes from the town of Imperia and just over an hour's drive from Genoa.
By Air:
Fly into Nice (109km away, in France) or Genoa (123km away). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
Elena can organise transfers, but we recommend hiring a car so that you can explore the area - see our car-rental recommendations. There's some parking outside Casa Madre, and a secure car park in the village. If you're driving from Nice, check before travelling that you're allowed to take your car across the border into Italy.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Italy and getting around
Airports:
- Nice 109.0 km NCE
- Genoa 123.0 km GOA
Other:
- Beach 17.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests