Relais Roncolo 1888, an SLH Hotel

Stuart Fowler

2025-09-18

Google

What a jewel of a summer hotel - we will certainly return. We chose it as a base to explore Parma and Modena but we hardly wanted to leave its heavenly embrace even for a half day. Small, informal and charming, this is nonetheless an impressively slick operation. Rooms are beautifully appointed, service impeccable (with as much or as little chat as you signal that you want) and food outstanding, be it the breakfast buffet, lunch at the pool or dinner in the old orangery (actually for lemons). With so few rooms, the restaurant needs to be a destination for the surrounding area which indeed it fully justifies.

Roncolo is blessed with a brilliant location. The views are breathtaking, from its position just into the foothills of the Appenines overlooking the Po valley. Excellent walks are on its doorstep. We love staying in wineries but the twist in this case is balsamic. The range of wines served is excellent, their own being limited to Lambrusco (not everyone's cup of tea).

Getaway52776273091

2025-07-27

Tripadvisor

We had just one night at this wonderful place. The location is fantastic, the surroundings epic and the hospitality second to none. |Special mention to Michael who went above and beyond with all his assistance and the Christo, who transformed our meal experience into a culinary journey. Both food and wine were superb.

E4357ODalains

2025-07-24

Tripadvisor

Zeer warm onthaal, heel persoonlijke bediening , lekker eten in een schitterende omgeving. Een top locatie met top mensen die doorheen de dag heel nabij zijn en op een mooie manier ten dienste staan om van jouw verblijf een uniek verblijf te maken. We hebben uitermate genoten… Dankjewel aan de volledige staf!

D6065TPlauram

2025-07-18

Tripadvisor

BEAUTIFUL SETTING! The Relais is gorgeous, peaceful, magical. We were warmly welcomed in the middle of a torrential rain storm that swept through. Our two suites were beautifully furnished. The hotel staff were lovely. The pool was just the thing at the end of the day touring Parma. |The wait staff at the restaurant could have been friendlier. They were off putted by the fact that we had two small children in our party. |We wish we could have stayed longer.

patricia oliver

2025-07-14

Google

I had a truly wonderful experience at Venturini Baldini. I was given a private tour of the estate and its charming rooms by Michael, who was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. His explanations about the history and process of the Aceto Balsamico were especially engaging and insightful. The tasting experience was also excellent. The entire visit was elegant, authentic, and memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the heart of Emilia-Romagna with a personal touch.
Wow 👏👏👏

14Elizabeth14

2025-06-19

Tripadvisor

We stayed one night and were due to arrive in time for an anniversary tasting meal with paired wines but the weather ( thunder storms over the Alps) and a technical issue on our flight meant we arrived after midnight. The hotel treated us to a bottle of champagne and a free balsamic vinegar bottle as a present and then extended our check out to after 4pm the following day. They were amazing! Breakfast was fabulous with so much choice and delicious food; the pool is wonderful and despite having only a light lunch, it was fantastic. The room was large with everything you need including a yoga mat. Make sure you do the balsamic vinegar tasting. The staff were so laid back and helpful we felt de-stressed instantly. We are planning on returning and staying a lot longer!

Lea Leuenberger

2025-06-06

Google

A romantic, peacefully place. My husband, my son and our dog were welcomed warmly. The people working there were wonderful. Everything was clean and beautiful. The breakfast was stunning. The pool just a dream. Highly recommended ♥️

jacqueline henao

2025-05-28

Google

We absolutely loved our stay at Relais Roncolo 1888! From the stunning views of the surrounding vineyards to the elegant yet cozy atmosphere, every moment felt special. The staff is incredibly welcoming and attentive. When we arrived, Simone gave us a warm welcome and shared some interesting background information and history of the estate. All the staff made us feel right at home. The rooms were beautifully designed, blending historic charm with modern comfort. We also enjoyed the delicious food and wine—Christo made excellent pairing recommendations. It was a memorable experience. Make sure you also participate in the balsamic tasting class presented by Michael. He was very knowledgeable and made it fun and interesting. We can’t wait to come back!

JASK

2025-05-28

Google

Fantastic stay at this magnificent hotel!
The service was top notch, the rooms were well kept and beautifully appointed, the restaurant’s design allowed everyone to enjoy its sublime vistas and the food was delicious. Of particular mention was the breakfast which has been our favorite.
Congratulations to the owners for the work they’ve done restoring the place and to the staff for their hospitality and attention to detail.

643rebeccaz

2025-05-19

Tripadvisor

My husband and I really enjoyed our stay there. Prior to arrival, I had been corresponding with Michael and Simone who both were very prompt and helpful in organizing tours, reservations and recommendations. Upon arrival, everything was executed flawlessly.||As you can see on the map, the hotel is located in Venturini Baldini winery, however, instead of turning right into the winery, the hotel and restaurant is further up the hill with a gorgeous view overlooking the region.||We reserved a Superior Villa but got upgraded to a Senior Suite Villa upon arrival, which was a nice surprise! The room was very spacious and well thought out. I appreciated that the windows had screens as there are a lot of mosquitoes and insects around and you could open the window and not be worried about it. I also appreciated the heated floor in the very spacious bathroom as well as the complimentary drinks and snacks. It was one of my favorite rooms during our time in Italy.||Restaurant Limonaia is a short walk nearby. Breakfast (included) started at 7:30A and was an impressive assortment of breads, pastries, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, etc as well as cooked to order hot items (eggs, pancakes, etc). I highly recommend dinner at the restaurant, where the tasting menu was at a very affordable price (85 Euros) or you can order a la carte. The main part of the restaurant is in a covered patio with gorgeous views of the region below. ||Within the hotel grounds, the pool is a bit further up past the restaurant and parking area and you can stroll around the vineyards up on top of the hill and follow the road to the bottom to the winery and lake. Very pleasant, though the path at times can be a bit bumpy. There is also a gym near the villa that goes into what looks like a basement dungeon. There are also bicycles available to use as well next to the front desk/reception. ||Our friend was visiting us for the day from Milan and the staff was so accommodating to add him to the wine tasting and balsamic tasting. Both are highly recommended as they take you to the attic to see the different barrels to sample their balsamic vinegar and then down to the cellar to sample their Lambrusco in one of the wine storage areas. ||All the staff we encountered were pleasant and friendly and really made our stay very enjoyable. I particularly wanted to note that they were able to find us a last minute tour of a prosciutto producer, which we thoroughly enjoyed!||My only regret is that 2 nights was too short! I definitely wanted to spend 3 or more nights there, but unfortunately my schedule didn’t allow for it. The other tip I would say would be to stay during the week if you are interested in doing tours of Parma cheese or prosciutto facilities. Unfortunately, majority of them only conduct tours during the weekday and the cheese tours are only in the early morning when they start making the cheese. ||I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend this hotel!

marined211

2025-04-24

Tripadvisor

Nous avons passé quatre nuits merveilleuses au Relais Roncolo. Très bel hôtel situé dans les hauteurs au milieu de la campagne avec une très jolie vue. Le service est impeccable notamment la réception et le restaurant. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié les conseils de visite et le cours de cuisine (cours pour apprendre à cuisiner des véritables italiennes de façon traditionnelle) pour lequel nous étions accompagnés de deux chefs italiens et d’une employée de l’hôtel qui nous traduisait en français. |Le cours était fantastique! |La dégustation de vinaigre balsamique est également à recommander. |L’hôtel est bien situé pour visiter la région à mi chemin entre Parme et Modène.

Kimberly

2025-04-22

Google

We had a fantastic 4 night stay at Relais Roncolo. The property is beautiful and very well situated for exploring this part of Italy. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel at home and to help us arrange activities during our stay. Laura worked tirelessly to organise bikes for us to ride during a busy holiday period, and when one broke, Omar spent a morning fixing it for us so that we could ride it the next day! I have never been treated so well at a hotel. It was a truly unforgettable holiday that could not have been possible without the hard work of many people, including Simone, Massimiliano and many others. Thank you!

Norrskenets

2025-04-01

Tripadvisor

The breakfast—wow. It was easily one of the best I’ve ever had! The cappuccino was perfection, and the homemade crostata was a dream. Honestly, it’s a must-try if you ever go. The entire staff was so attentive, and they made sure we had everything we needed. ||||Massimiliano, the manager, was incredibly kind and made us feel right at home from the moment we walked in.||||A big shoutout to Michael, the receptionist, who was so dedicated and helpful. He printed out an entire guide with the best restaurants and parking spots in Parma, which was a lifesaver. He also took us on an unforgettable tour of the aceto balsamico vinegar cellar on the estate. The entire process was so fascinating—watching the barrels age and learning about the centuries-old tradition behind it was something I’ll never forget.||||One of the highlights was the tour of Fattoria Rossi, the local Parmesan factory. The team arranged it for us, and we were able to see firsthand how they make Parmigiano Reggiano. Needless to say, we left with six kilos of cheese!||||The rooms were gorgeous—perfectly renovated and so well-maintained. It felt like a blend of history and modern comfort. And our little dog had the best time running around the beautiful gardens.||||Relais Roncolo truly made us fall in love with Emilia Romagna. It was an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to go back. Thank you to the whole team for making our stay so special.

Milana Chigridow

2025-04-01

Google

From the moment we arrived, we felt at home, thanks to the incredible warmth and hospitality of Massimiliano, who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect.

One of the absolute highlights was the breakfast—easily one of the best I’ve ever had. The cappuccino was made to perfection, and the homemade crostata was simply unforgettable—a must-try for anyone visiting. Every detail was thoughtful, and the entire staff showed such genuine care and attention to making our experience memorable.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Michael, the wonderful receptionist who truly went the extra mile. He took the time to print out a detailed guide with the best restaurants and parking spots in Parma, which proved to be so helpful. But what truly stood out was the private tour he gave us of the estate’s aceto balsamico vinegar cellar—a hidden gem of Roncolo. The barrels, rich with history and the deep aroma of aging balsamic, told a story of tradition and patience. Michael explained every step of the process, from the selection of grapes to the decades-long aging that results in the precious vinegar. It was a fascinating glimpse into an art form so deeply rooted in Emilia Romagna’s heritage.

Another unforgettable experience was the tour of Fattoria Rossi, a local Parmesan factory that the team kindly booked for us. It was an absolute dream to see how real Parmigiano Reggiano is made—so much so that we left with six kilos of cheese!

The rooms at Relais Roncolo were stunning—elegantly renovated, immaculately maintained, and filled with charm. The balance between modern comfort and historical beauty was just perfect. And even our little dog had the best time, running freely through the gorgeous gardens, which felt like a fairytale setting.

This stay was one of those experiences that truly make you fall in love with a place. Relais Roncolo, with its warmth, beauty, and deep connection to the land, made us adore Emilia Romagna even more. We’ll be back for sure—grazie di cuore to the whole team for making it unforgettable!

laxcf269

2024-08-04

Tripadvisor

We stayed here for a few days. My wife, son and I felt so welcome by Max and Michael and the rest of the staff. Rooms are good, the pool is great. Jogging from the road to the entrance couldn't be more beautiful in the morning. Their on location wine, olive oil and balsamic are so good we shipped ALOT back to the states.||Highlights|the location is just incredibly relaxing and peaceful|the welcoming staff of GM Max, Manager Michael and Host Nadia plus so many more made this place special.|after being out every day, we would get back around 5 and go to the pool with a bottle of cold sparkling rose and just chill |they reloaded the mini fridge every single day with wine, sodas, juices and beers so no need to even worry about having something.||Improvements|Service at the pool could be better as you need to walk up to the outdoor bar area and order. The menu for lunch at the pool could be bigger. they just need to have the folks walk around the pool once in a while. ||These are small issues, but I assure you that Max, Michael and the team are running an incredible 5 star Luxury Boutique Hotel that we will surely come back to again.||Thank you, Max, Michael, Lorenzo, Laura, Tinsi, Mike and team!

Jane Quynh Nguyen

2024-07-10

Google

We stayed here for three nights and wished we had booked a longer stay. We are a family of five with three young kids so we booked the family suite and the junior suite. The rooms were connected to each other via a sitting room. This gave us plenty of space to spread out and be comfortable. The property itself is absolutely beautiful, with its stunning setting and meticulously maintained gardens. What makes this place stand out though, are the people. From the minute we got there, everyone was so warm and helpful (especially Michael at the front desk). They were genuine in their interactions with both us the adults as well as the kids, and they went above and beyond to make our stay as comfortable as possible. We hope to be back soon!

Voyage06572489462

2024-06-25

Tripadvisor

This countryside vineyard estate is hidden away amongst the hills of Roncolo, and is one of the most striking, picturesque, beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at. It is the perfect blend of modernity and traditional Italian styles. The hotel manager, Massimiliano, and his staff (Michael in particular) cannot do enough for you and are so polite, welcoming, and accommodating. ||There are a range of activities to do on the estate. We did wine tasting (accompanied with cheese and salami) and balsamic vinegar tasting. Staff were very knowledgable and the produce is divine. ||The estate is 3 levels, with the hotel on the second level. You are free to roam around the estate as you please and there are several designated walking routes which can take you up to the third level which gives you the most incredible view of several slanted valleys as far as the eye can see. The scenery is stunning. ||I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough for a dose of serenity.

Kathleen

2024-06-24

Google

We had a delightful stay at the beautiful Roncolo 1888 in May. The approach to the hotel past their vineyard and up, up, up the cypress-lined road was just lovely. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and taken to our beautiful Villa Manodori rooms.

The restaurant is outstanding - we enjoyed several breakfasts (the best pancakes we have ever had!) and amazingly delicious dinners (that lemon dessert was an all-time favorite!) and wines. Impeccable service!

My husband and I spent a delightful rainy afternoon at the bar chatting with Max, the General Manager, who could not have been more friendly, acting as if he had nothing to do that afternoon but chat with us! :)

We highly recommend a stay at this beautiful property if you are planning a trip to Emilia Romagna!

cloud58

2024-06-23

Tripadvisor

We enjoyed three nights at Roncolo 1888. The setting is idyllic on the hillside, very peaceful. Our room was comfortable and looked out onto the beautiful garden. We enjoyed the pool and walking in the hills.||Breakfast was extensive as you would expect and we ate two nights in the restaurant which was also excellent. The other evening we went down to the winery and enjoyed food from the food trucks and the live music. ||Laura took us on the balsamic vinegar tour which was very interesting.||All in all a fantastic stay made special by the friendly staff.

rachm2768

2024-03-29

Tripadvisor

Such a beautiful start to our Italian Roadtrip. ||Relais Roncolo 1888 was perfect for our foodie family with a vineyardand a balsamic vinegar producer both on site - tastingsavailable and DO take them up on them if you can. There is currently one restaurant with views to die for; and one more in the making to provide guests with more options. We had dinner and breakfast at the hotel and both meals were lovely but the breakfast was my favourite - mainly for the freshly made doughnuts and Madelines. You can't, after all, beat cake for breakfast!||We stayed in the Family suite which was perfect for our little family - 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms meant no shouting for the bathroom in the morning. |Family peace has been maintained but, alas, not the waistline.