Santo Stefano is about 2hrs drive away from Rome. Beautiful place and the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso hotel is located right inside one of the most beautiful “Borgo” or castle in Italy.
Crossing from actual world to an old one, all was amazing, walking in the old village under the rain while smelling smoke of the chimneys was really something. This is not a classical hotel, in fact, the reception, dining room and hotel rooms are strewn all over the tiny mountain village of Santo Stefano, in the heart of the Abruzzi in central Italy.
The Hotel offers unique accommodation in the fortified medieval village. This spectacular hilltop village in the Gran Sasso National Park has been perfectly preserved. Rooms are beautiful with, simple décor, locally woven linens, 17th-century wooden ceilings, and ancient fireplaces. All this is combined with modern technology, including under-floor heating and remote-controlled lighting.
You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from climbing and hang-gliding, to hiking and horse-riding. Famous ski slopes are also just a short drive away as are many interesting old towns and villages. The restaurant serves a great range of local recipes, all made using fresh food grown in the neighbouring fields.
The landscape is breathtaking with rocky crags, crumbling castles, wild forests and lakes. This area is largely undiscovered by tourists so you can have its lovely hilltop vistas all to yourself.