Your best slowdown
experience
begins here...
Via per Miasino
Orta San Giulio – NO – Italy
Telephone: +39 389 3113813
info@ladarbia.com
La Darbia is the perfect »slowdown« getaway either you spend the entire visit on the family estate or enrich the stay with the charm of Italian villages that have preserved their architectural and cultural authenticity and beauty. Words can hardly describe the very first impression of entering the estate and realizing the uniqueness of the surroundings, the woods, the trees, and the hilltop location, enchanting due to an unforgettable view of the countryside.
La Darbia was designed by brothers and architects Gian Carlo and Matteo Primatesta, locals who are intimately familiar with and immensely appreciative of the energies of the magical Lake Orta, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and scenic lakes in Italy. When the opportunity arose, they bought the land and set up the property of La Darbia. The beginning of the estate was a patch of forest, growing over some ruins of an observation tower that used to serve as a hiding place for bird hunters, and an old vine.
"With a vision and an idea of their home, they designed La Darbia in the way that they want their guests to experience this mesmerizing and magical place, its history, architecture, and culture in the heart of authentic Piedmont. The experience of La Darbia is one of luxury, and also one of warmth, intimacy, and home. There is no exaggeration, but plenty of excess and kindness." SLOWDOWN HOTELS
Slowdown value: The "slowdown effect" of the arrival
It’s a WOW effect once giant gates let you to the estate. A hidden land that reveals itself as the door leaves open slowly and in a grand manner. It’s as if you’ve just found a nest in the branches of a huge old chestnut tree at the top of the hill that you climbed up to. Here you are embraced by ancient forest and mighty trees, but after a moment the view opens across the hills, close to the lake, and touches the surrounding mountain peaks. A world of “slowdown” is revealed to you when you discover La Darbia.
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Slowdown value: The power of the ancient trees and forest.
No tree was cut to make place for the resort. The mighty, healthy trees create a unique atmosphere and a special slowdown effect that needs a name. The apartment area is nestled among the branches of the trees, which offer protection from the sun and naturally create cozy corners perfect for resting in the sun or watching the playful game of sun rays and shadows. Thus, the setting remains whimsical throughout the day.
La Darbia aims to preserve the pristine environment and the estate is designed to preserve the old trees and vines. The creators, were determined to preserve the trees and the forest, keeping the landscape as authentic and natural as possible.
"When the rhythm of your mind is in harmony with the sounds of nature, your body fades into the green." SLOWDOWN HOTELS
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"La Darbia aims to preserve the pristine environment and the estate is designed to preserve the old trees and vines."
SLOWDOWN HOTELS
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"The point of a Slowdown Retreat is to rediscover the freedom and comfort of living. The La Darbia apartments are therefore designed in such a way to offer the rhythm and comfort of a homestay while not being designed as typical apartments." SLOWDOWN HOTELS
"Upon arrival, the greeting and an invitation to a slowdown experience will immediately stimulate all senses. Freshly baked "Paradise cake", fluffy biscuits, locally sourced coffee... La Darbia will impress and surprise you many times during your stay with the way you are received and treated, and encouraged to little slowdown moments that will remain in your heart." SLOWDOWN HOTELS
Slowdown value: A freedom of a homestay apartment-style
It is rather just the style of the rooms of La Darbia that can be considered a new kind of Slowdown retreat, one that nevertheless offers the full hotel experience.
They designed the resort with apartment-style suites to offer the comfort of the home, but at the same time, you have all the hotel services available. You can always decide how and where you would prefer to eat your meals. You can enjoy morning breakfast delivery to your apartment, midday lunch at the restaurant or by the swimming pool and in the evening you can enjoy a gourmet restaurant experience.
The interior is modern and built from predominantly natural materials. The suites come either with a private garden surrounded by vines or a private balcony sporting a majestic view across the resort, all the way to Lake Orta and the snow-capped summit of Monte Rosa, one of the highest mountains in Europe at 4643 meters. The apartments are comfortable, yet natural and peaceful.
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Step inside
Lake luxury apartment
Lake Luxury apartment is located in the first floor. The living area and the double bedroom are part of a single large bright room. All the apartments come with private entrances from the parking side area.
"The apartments offer a real feel of the comfort of an authentic home. They come either with a private garden surrounded by vines or a private balcony sporting a majestic view across the resort, all the way to Lake Orta and the snow-capped summit of Monte Rosa, one of the highest mountains in Europe at 4643 meters.” SLOWDOWN HOTELS
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Slowdown value: Kilometer 0 breakfast
Slow and serene morning is given at La Darbia, and their breakfast is a ritual in its own right. Delicious food and local delicacies are sourced within 0 km from the estate. The delicacies on the menu are of predominantly local origin, always fresh, scrumptious, juicy, and will simply melt in your mouth. Vegetables from the garden, homemade dairy products (especially butter), jams, chocolate cream, and homemade, freshly baked bread are there for you every morning.
Breakfast is one of our favorite slowdown moments since we conceived the slowdown concept. When you are allowed to take time for a long breakfast and enjoy tasting new dishes, this is a "slowdown effect" of the retreat.
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Breakfast from
the dreams
One of the special slowdown experiences is to book the breakfast delivered to your apartment.
SLOW EXTERIOR DESIGN
Garden like
living room
The garden with its characteristic pleasant and mild atmosphere is designed as a lounge room and a restaurant foyer, which is a treat for all senses.
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"This is to relax your senses and makes a perfect conclusion for a memorable visit. We are of course referring to the restaurant and the flavours of chef Matteo Monfrinotti's specialties. " SLOWDOWN HOTELS
Slowdown value: Restaurant La Cucina & culinary master of the land of Piedmont - Matteo Monfrinotti
The menu tells a story of the cuisine and the flavors of the Piedmont region, with the local dishes being its most important chapter. Creative and elegant, the plates respect the tradition but interpret it in a contemporary way, showcasing the region's exquisite, genuine ingredients.
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A NEW DIMENSION
Slow dinner story
As soon as you enter the restaurant garden, the greetings are friendly and the presentation is impressive.
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Slowdown value: Light lunch
Not only dinner, you can enjoy a slow lunch on a sunny warm afternoon in La Darbia. Each corner invites you to include all your senses, from the spectacular views to cozy garden scenes where tasting of new menu and new flavors will make you appreciate the time you will spend here.
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"People need a combination of sun and shade, warmth, and chill to thrive. Taking that into perspective, La Darbia is a meditative escape, where sitting in the garden and appreciating the magnificent view it offers fills you with new energy." SLOWDOWN HOTELS
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SLOW EXTERIOR DESIGN
Slowdown
views
Sun terrace by the swimming pool is like a meditative oasis with the view that makes you fly.
Slowdown value: The pool as an altar
The swimming pool is like the altar in the heart of the estate, a sacred place offering a relaxing swim or a background for a yoga session or just for relaxing. The soothing sounds of water and the seemingly endless view of the surroundings straight from the mind of Paul Valery and his “The Spinner” conjure up the "ultimate slowdown effect".
SLOWDOWN PHILOSOPHY
Relax
Life is a balance between holding on and letting go. Once we wish to slow down one of the first steps would be to release all the tensions from our body.
Slowdown value: A healing touch
This year La Darbia added a new addition to their "Slowdown" philosophy - A massage room in the heart of their garden. In a beautifully curated atmosphere, you can now choose from several treatments that will help you to relax tensed muscles and prepare your body to let go...
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The sunset "slowdown effect"
Not one day is alike here. Each evening, a red sky mirrored in the lake and in the swimming pool, adorned with the shadows of the surrounding peaks creates a special atmosphere that perfectly complements La Darbia's aesthetic. A magical "slowdown effect" of the nature.
Slowdown value: Yoga break
Spend some relaxing time around and extend your views. Perhaps yoga is a beautiful way to connect you with the place to feel and inhale the freedom it offers.
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SLOWDOWN INSIDER GUIDE TO SURROUNDINGS
ORTA
The Slowdown experience is rounded off by the village of Orta, built on a promontory on the eastern bank of the lake, close to Isola San Giulio with the basilica of the same name and a monumental seminary serving as a Benedictine monastery.
Slowdown value: La Dolce Vita of Lake Orta
The rhythm of the local life brings the experience full circle. La Darbia is a wholesome escape from modern life, a return to innocence, a taste of something out of time, a way of life recognized by people as "slow life". It provides just the type of environment that turns the focus inwards and towards the good things in life.
Once you get to know the rhythm of life and its harmony with the lake, the little town is sure to charm you and restore your taste for beauty and present time.
The village is a member of “I Borghi piú belli d’Italia” association.
"In comparison to its larger neighbors Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, Lake Orta may be small in the surface, but shines like a jewel; it is, even more so than the beforementioned lakes, a place where an authentic life based on an authentic atmosphere takes precedence." SLOWDOWN HOTELS
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A SLOW WAY OF SOCIALIZING
THE CANTINA
After a glass of excellent red wine, comes another tip to reinforce the authenticity of slowdown living. Warm hospitality, delicious food and a magical atmosphere are all synonymous with Italy, and all of that awaits you here.