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The Nun Relais and Spa is a truly special place where history, spirituality, and luxury meet.
The 18 room Nun Relais and Spa is the splendid result of St Catherine’s Monastery, originally built in 1275, being restored and converted into what is now a 5 star relais and spa. It’s located in the Umbria region of northern Italy and the original monastery provided incredible bones for what now is the hotel. The lower level of the hotel features the spa: a truly unique oasis of Roman ruins and mineral therapy accented with Roman columns dating back to just a few hundred years A.D.
It’s roughly a two hour drive from Florence and was one of the most impressive highlights on our tour of Italy. The city of Assisi is one of the quaintest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities I’ve ever seen let alone have the privilege of experiencing. It’s main draw revolves around religious meaning as it was the birthplace of St Francis. He famously founded the Franciscan religious order and shed himself of material possessions. Franciscan monks still walk the streets and are seen on a regular basis if you wonder the twists and turns of the ancient streets. The hotel is simply magnificent and a gem of a find if you’re looking to enjoy fantastic food, be pampered, and check out of the real world and soak in the mineral baths of a spiritually charged building. Whether you are religious or not, the atmosphere of the hotel and city are harmoniously peaceful and very settling.
Getting there
After a very pleasant drive from Florence, on a perfect Italian day, we arrived to the Nun Relais and Spa around 6 pm with almost two hours to spare before sundown. The hotel blends perfectly into the town. It’s a serene village, nothing assuming, pretentious, and the Nun Relais and Spa seamlessly blends in with this aesthetic.
Check in:
It’s a passive luxury that the hotel specializes in providing. We were taken to a small lounge area and given some snacks and drinks. Miles obviously went with the champagne.
We settled in for 10 or 15 minutes, had a small snack, and finished our drinks. We were excited to get to our rooms as we had hand selected rooms 10 and 17. I’ll do a separate review of 10 because it was so special and this hotel really struck a chord with me.
Room 17
The room is on the 2nd story but you enter on the first from the courtyard
Looking back down to the entrance
Mini Bar
Bath and Products
Loved these products. Very luxurious
Eat Out Osteria has one of the best views in the city
Nun Relais and Spa is truly a 5 star hotel, yet the the food prices in their marquee restaurant are anything but 5 star, in fact, they’re very affordable. The food is delicious. I’ve included day and night photos of the view as it’s spectacular whenever you’re there.
In the morning breakfast is served just off the lobby
The service is outstanding, staff friendly, and food was great. I can’t say enough about this place. It’s truly special.
The Spa
The Nun Relais and Spa spa is magnificent. There are a couple of different packages that you can select when choosing rooms, and ours included the spa. I’d highly recommend this option as the mineral water really helps with aches and pains. Also, the facility is as impressive as any I’ve seen. It’s not overly large, fancy, or gilded, but it is seamless. The main bath, which you enter after having gone through 3 different temperature chambers and a series of rain baths, is outfitted with more jets, which are specifically placed and designed for various ailments and body parts, than I ever imagined possible. There are jet beds at one end, water spouts in the middle, foot plates with jets, it goes on and on. Spectacular.
Men’s locker room
The main facilities
There is also a quiet area for reflection, calm, and serenity. Snacks, water, and tea are available as well.
The spa is outstanding and we didn’t experience any services. It was just fantastic going in and soaking, lounging, and sweating.
More of the grounds
The Verdict:
The hotel alone is worth venturing to Assisi to experience. But, Assisi itself is worth carving out time to see once in your life. I’d highly recommend splurging to stay at Nun Relais and Spa as it will leave an impression on your mind, body and soul.
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Assisi is one of my most favorite cities in Italy and Umbria is definitely my favorite region. I have always been curious about a Nun Relais, so thank you for the wonderful review. I usually stay at Hotel Giotto (also has a nice spa, but has an amazing restaurant and some of the most fantastic views I have had at a hotel). Assisi and Umbria have some of the best offerings in Italy -art, food and wine, and mostly fantastic people…which keeps me coming back.
Thanks Kay! It was absolutely incredible. Glad to hear you’ve had a great time in the area as well