Castello di Guarene

Baroque grandeur is the name of the game here, with frescoed halls and period furniture that would make a museum curator weep with joy. The medieval living room beckons for pre-dinner drinks, while the restaurant serves up local Piedmontese specialties in a setting that feels like dining in a royal palace. Below ground, those medieval caves have been transformed into an atmospheric spa complete with a wood-scented sauna and hammam that channels distant Istanbul. Come afternoon, the panoramic terrace becomes the stage for that most civilized of activities – sipping something local while gazing out over hills dotted with some of Italy's most prestigious vineyards.

Each of the twelve rooms feels like it's been lifted straight from an aristocrat's diary circa 1750, yet somehow manages to slip in modern luxuries without breaking character. Silk and velvet tapestries adorn padded walls, while original antique furnishings share space with subtle modern technology. The bathrooms are marble-clad affairs that would make a Roman emperor feel at home. Eight rooms occupy the third floor, each named after a historical figure (no pressure to live up to your room's namesake), while four more intimate chambers can be found on the ground floor. All come with the expected modern touches – wi-fi, LED TVs, minibars – though you might be too distracted by your golden headboard to notice.