Umbria is the green heart of Italy. It is with an open heart that Six Senses Antognolla will welcome guests to a rural escape against the backdrop of olive groves, vineyards and cypress-topped hills.
Aligning with the stars and the Six Senses brand values, the castle, borgo and estate are being reincarnated with a sustainable focus. There will be 71 rooms and 79 branded residences, a diverse wellness and cultural offering, 18-hole golf course, equestrian center, cookery school and organic farm. Encompassing a 1,335-acre (540-hectare) site, the surrounding contours and forest provide privacy and exclusivity, while the variety of facilities and activities make it a year-round destination.
Secluded yet all-encompassing
For those seeking an authentic Italian experience, the 12th-century Castello di Antognolla is located on the site of a 10th-century Benedictine monastery and crypt, with traces of a Roman settlement. As the scene of many sieges and struggles in the Middle Ages, for centuries it was the seat of one of Perugia’s most powerful noble families; if only the walls could talk.
A new chapter in this rich history has now begun. The 71 guest rooms and suites will be located within the historical castle and traditional old borgo buildings. The 79 residences, which will soon be available to purchase, range from apartments and two-bedroom villas to six-bedroom farmhouses, combining the heritage of Umbria with the comfort of modern living. All accommodations offer a unique home-from-home retreat thanks to the location, design features and abundant resort facilities. Old or new, everything blends seamlessly with the surroundings.
Shared experiences
Italian culture celebrates the joys of family life. From being active to relaxing over a leisurely meal, Six Senses Antognolla is about shared experiences and reconnection.
The vast scope of the estate allows for a multitude of recreational activities, emphasizing guest well-being, connecting with nature and joining events and celebrations in the local community. Guests can learn about the region’s traditions and heritage in the resort’s Experience Pavilion – a place for master classes, craft workshops, children’s activities and wine and food tastings.
There are also numerous hiking, cycling and horse-riding trails through forests of oak, chestnut trees and olive groves. Within the resort is Grow With Six Senses, a dedicated space for younger guests with activities that encourage them to reconnect with nature and gain useful life skills through play.
Six Senses Spa will be located within a contemporary wing of the new main building, and will offer wellness programming that incorporates sleep health, nutrition, movement and self-discovery.
Running through the center of the estate, the 18-hole golf course has been designed by renowned designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. With long, cliff-lined fairways, undulating greens and pesky lakes, the course has been installed to provide year-round playability and quick-drying surfaces. Drainage water is captured and recycled, boosting the course’s eco-credentials.
Food and wine culture
The charm of Umbria’s ancient towns and villages is complemented by its cuisine, which is renowned for superb ingredients and authentically rustic dishes. Guests and residents will enjoy the very best of local produce, including herbs, olives, fruit and vegetables grown on the estate itself.
There will be many opportunities to dive into wine experiences, including sessions on plant and plantation care and management, learning about organic wine production and a thrilling and event-packed harvesting season.
“Umbria really speaks to me. After many years of studying and living in the country, my connection to Italian people and culture is strong. Six Senses Antognolla lends itself to the creation of a unique community that will touch the hearts of its residents and hosts through honesty and respect for the land coupled with the aligned intention of all its stakeholders. We’re excited to be working on this project that brings together sustainable practices, wellness programming, and out-of-the-ordinary activities for all,” said Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
Dynamic project team
The redevelopment is being headed by VIY Management (VIYM), a London-based investment firm focused on luxury hospitality and mixed-use real estate projects and Alessio Carabba Tettamanti, an investor in Antognolla and the owner of the luxury Umbrian estate Tenuta di Murlo. The masterplan is by Woods Bagot, ranked sixth in the BD World Architecture 100. Interiors are by Tokyo-based Design Studio SPIN, known for transforming the interiors of renowned hotels and restaurants into the most luxurious venues.
“We are thrilled to start bringing our collaborative plans with Six Senses to life. Antognolla is a unique project in Italy in terms of its concept; combining a luxury hotel in a medieval castle, stylish serviced residential properties, an exceptional golf course and a luxurious spa complex – all of which will be operated by a world-renowned international hospitality brand. We are delighted that our vision of the project is in line with that of Six Senses, and we have a truly unique opportunity to carefully preserve and develop this area of historical and cultural significance,” said Development Director Jim Ryan of Antognolla.
Location
Six Senses Antognolla is located 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) north of Perugia, close to the regional border of Tuscany. It also borders the Monte Tezio – the highest mountain within the municipality of Perugia – and is a short distance from Lake Trasimeno. Although remote, the secluded area of natural Umbrian countryside is still within easy reach of Florence (1 hour 45 minutes) and Rome (2 hours 15 minutes) and is a 25-minute drive from the international airport of Umbria.
Six Senses Antognolla is set to open in 2023.