La Darbia

Its backdrop boasts views of the lake that attract travellers. With their adventurous spirit, architect brothers Gian Carlo and Matteo Primatesta have transformed an abandoned rural area on Lake Orta in Piedmont (Italy) into a sophisticated holiday retreat. A haven where luxury is clear to see and the magnificence of Italian life is revealed at its finest.
Captivating in the silence of this location, just over an hour from Milan and close to the Swiss border, Lake Orta, along its 13 km expanse, sparkles and frames the landscape of Monte Rosa - the second highest peak in the Alps at over 4600 metres - in the Piedmont region. The pleasant lakeside towns are lined with eclectic buildings, the result of the Belle Époque. Figures such as Lord Byron, Nietzsche and Balzac, and other intellectuals and artists from the turn of the century, were inspired by the beauty of the lake and the climate of the time.
Lake Orta has remained a treasure, as it is not as well-known as other lakes such as Lake Como or Lake Maggiore, and it is hoped that it will continue to be a place where peace and quiet prevail. This is why the holiday retreat uniquely redefines the sense of luxury with exclusivity combined with the beauty of the location and the hospitality of those who welcome you.

The twenty apartment suites denote a rural language, while remaining modern and conveying much of the local history

The architects from Studioprimatesta became hotel owners. They created the La Darbia restaurant (La Cucina) to be a place of beauty and design. Similarly, the peaceful terrace and cocktail bar, which are located in the middle of the organic vegetable garden, are attractive. The kitchen is run by chef Matteo Monfrinotti, who ensures regional ingredients and authentic dishes, imbued with a gourmet identity.
Simple and elegant, the twenty apartment suites denote a rural language, while remaining modern and conveying much of the local history. The colour concept of the interiors reflects the distinctive colours of nature. All the accommodation is covered in ivy and opens onto the garden, where the stunning setting is filled with vines and a heated saltwater swimming pool awaits.
Since 1995, the shores of Lake Orta have seen the growth of several projects by the founding brothers of Studioprimatesta. And today, La Darbia is an example of the fabulous work they have both achieved over the course of their careers. Their portfolio includes wineries, accommodation, residences, offices and industrial spaces. All with a common denominator: an architectural approach that is not intellectual, but rather emotional.