When you’re visiting a wine region for the first time, one of the most important questions you have is, ‘Where should I stay?’

If you’re like us, you want the best experience your budget will allow, and you probably have a checklist with ‘must haves’ for your accommodations. Finding a spot that meets your wants and requirements can be challenging when you can choose from so many wonderful options. It helps to have someone who has been there to narrow it down for you. 

If you’d prefer not to think about it at all and want someone else to do the planning, search our listings for tours and guides. 

Here are our recommendations when you’re visiting the Piedmont wine region. 

There isn’t one place that’s suited for everyone, so first, you’ll have to answer a few questions.

Q1: Will you have a car?

You don’t necessarily need a car when visiting Piedmont, but we recommend one if you’re comfortable driving. Why? Because if you want to travel independently, you can’t get to small villages and tucked-away vineyards and wineries with nonexistent public transport. A rental car also means more freedom to travel at your own pace.

On those days when you don’t want to go it alone, you can always find a wine guide for day tours of the region.

Q2: Can you walk and carry luggage on steep inclines, uneven cobblestones, and up flights of stairs? 

If you think this might be a challenge, look for accommodation with private on-site parking or, if you don’t have a rental, hire a private driver with a door-to-door dropoff. Of course, staying in a city with more accessible accommodations is also an option. 

Q3. Are you okay with little to no nightlife? 

Most small villages are quiet in the evenings, and few, if any, bars and restaurants are open late, which means you’ll need to find a larger city if you want some late-night activity. 

If you answered YES to all three questions, choose the villages of Neive or Monforte d’Alba. Neive is an absolute gem of a hilltop village, and Monforte d’Alba’s old town is stunning (and steep!)

We highly recommend the small boutique hotel Al Palazzo Rosso in Neive. 

If you answered NO to those questions, consider staying in Alba. It’s a city of around 30,000, with bus and train services from Milan, Turin, and other major cities. Within this larger city, you’ll have access to more public transport options and some nightlife. It can be challenging to navigate the city with a car, so consider if you really need one. Day tours are available from Alba for winery tastings and for visiting nearby villages.  

For major cities in the region, Turin is a must! It’s a beautiful city with a vibe that’s a mix of Paris and Madrid with Italian flair, comfort, and style. It has classic, elegant architecture, with loads of restaurants and bars, great shopping, plenty of hotels for all budgets, and friendly, welcoming people. Trust us, it really is worth the visit. 

・

Al Palazzo Rosso in Neive

Al Palazzo Rosso
Piazza Italia 6, 12052 Neive

Tel: +39 333 1179 127
info@al-palazzo-rosso.it

Staff Review from 2023

Why it’s a great place:

The small hotel has four spacious rooms with private ensuites in a historic building with incredible character. Rooms have air conditioning and free wi-fi.

Free public parking is just outside the door, but if you can’t snag one of those spots, there is more free public parking just a minute or two’s walk away. 

The building’s bottom floor entry shares a wine bar, and there’s a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the view with the bottles of wine you bought during your day’s wine outings. 

Situated in the center of the village, it’s within an easy walk of several fantastic restaurants and bars. 

Benedetta, the owner, is probably the most fabulous host you’ll ever meet. Each morning, she’ll prepare a delicious buffet spread for you, with eggs made to order if you’d like. 

Things to know: 

Neive is a small, quiet village without nightlife, but its serene, quaint character makes it special.

The room had no television, but it kept things peaceful and restful, and we didn’t have noise from other guests, so not having a TV isn’t necessarily a negative. And, the room has wi-fi, so you can use your phone, tablet, or laptop if you really must have entertainment. 

There is no elevator, so you’ll have to carry yourself and your luggage up several flights of narrow stairs. But this is a true historical building, and the charm far outweighs the hike. 

Don’t miss this to learn more: