Casa Maria Luigia
Art-stuffed Italian country house that doubles as a culinary pilgrimage site. Bold contemporary art meets Emilian farmhouse, Gucci upholstery meets vintage vinyl, and prized Italian cars sit next to Technogym equipment in the Playground fitness space.
Book the Francescana dinner when making your room reservation — it's on the non-refundable rate and spots go fast. You cannot add it reliably after booking.
Why It Matters
Holder of 3 Michelin Keys (2025 and 2026 editions) — the maximum distinction. The only reliable way to eat Bottura's legendary archive dishes (Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart) when Osteria Francescana in Modena is booked out. Also home to Al Gatto Verde, a 1-Michelin-Star wood-fire restaurant led by Chef Jessica Rosval. The property expanded in 2022 with a restored 1969 balsamic vinegar cellar — Acetaia Maria Luigia — housing over 1,200 barrels.
Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore bought this 18th-century farmhouse in San Damaso and filled it with what you'd expect from one of the world's most creative chef-and-partner duos: works by Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Ai Weiwei, a vinyl collection of 8,000 records, prized Lamborghinis in the gym, and a pantry stocked with aged Parmigiano and house-made balsamic. The 12 rooms all look different — some have an Andy Warhol on the wall, others a cast-iron bathtub and Gucci-upholstered sitting area. The whole setup feels like staying in someone's extremely well-curated home, with a world-class restaurant attached.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Alcova Penthouse
The top of the main villa. A large bedroom opens onto a private wood-decked balcony with countryside views; a separate tower room has a guest bed and its own views out over the estate. The marble bathroom has both a bathtub and a shower. Guests have described it as the best room on property — worth the step up.
80 sqm
Bella Vita Room
The most popular category in the main house. High ceilings, an open-plan sitting area, and — in some configurations — a cast-iron freestanding bathtub alongside the large walk-in shower. Room 2 puts you next to the reception, so pick a quieter room number if sound matters to you.
45 sqm
Luigina Cottage
A fully standalone three-bedroom cottage with its own gated entrance, private pool, and glass veranda looking out over the Emilian countryside. Wood beam ceilings, Italian stone floors, a professional kitchen with central island, and generous outdoor deck. The kitchen team stocks the fridge with snacks on arrival. Best for small groups or families (note: guests must be 15+). Has its own washing machine.
200 sqmML Festina Lente Comfort Room
A step up from the standard Festina Lente: same walnut floors and ceramic tile bathroom with walk-in shower, but with an open-plan sitting area that gives the room a noticeably more spacious feel. Good for guests who want a bit of breathing room without going up to a Bella Vita.
37 sqmML Festina Lente Room
The entry-level room at Casa Maria Luigia, though 'entry-level' here means walnut floors, handcrafted ceramic tile bathroom with walk-in shower, and original artwork hand-selected by Bottura and Gilmore. Intimate and cozy. Complimentary espresso machine, tea selection, and fully stocked minibar.
30 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A 45-minute guided tour of the estate's own balsamic vinegar cellar — acquired and restored in 2022 — housing over 1,200 barrels, some dating to the 1900s. Guided tastings of 12-year and 25-year balsamic. Tours are in English. Free for hotel guests; advance booking recommended. Groups of 10+ should email acetaia@casamarialuigia.com.
A unique program where guests can adopt a set of balsamic vinegar barrels (a 'batteria') for one year from the Acetaia Maria Luigia, experiencing the ancient Modenese balsamic tradition and receiving Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena D.O.P.
Full-day guided e-bike tour through the hills of Modena, along woodland trails and vineyards. Visits the village of Castelvetro with a stop at either a local winery or a Parmigiano Reggiano producer. English-speaking guide and bike rental included. Advance reservation required.
Half-day guided visit to Parmigiano Reggiano and Lambrusco wine producers in the Modena area. Self-drive from €390/couple; with driver from €740/couple.
Full-day guided visit to producers of Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano near Parma. English-speaking guide included. Self-drive from €790/couple; with English-speaking driver from €1,240/couple.
Modena Golf Club is 15 minutes from the property, offering both 9-hole and 18-hole courses. Golf clubs and accessories available for rental at the club.
An open-air tennis court on the estate grounds, famously decorated with a Joseph Beuys 'Difesa della Natura' poster on the fence. A tennis pro is available upon request. Included for all guests.
A two-hour English cocktail masterclass at the Ex Spaccio delle carceri Cocktail Bar with a professional bartender. Covers Negroni and Americano history with local variations using Casa Maria Luigia balsamic vinegar and Lambrusco. Self-drive from €350/couple.
A hands-on pasta-making class in the open kitchen of Francescana at Maria Luigia, run by the hotel's chefs. Mid-morning class using traditional techniques and artisanal ingredients, culminating in a shared lunch around the table. Exclusive to hotel guests.
A wood-decked outdoor pool, originally built by the previous owner in the 1970s and now fully restored. Open summer season only. A pool house kitchen is stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks for guests poolside.
A large space that does double duty as gym and private museum. Technogym equipment sits alongside Bottura's personal collection of iconic Italian cars, special-edition motorcycles, and art. Open 8am to 8pm daily for all guests. Included in room rate.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A communal house kitchen open around the clock and stocked daily by the culinary team with cheeses, cured meats, salads, seasonal snacks, wine, beer, Lambrusco, and soft drinks. All complimentary for guests.
A full traditional Emilian breakfast is included in all room rates. Served in the Francescana carriage house dining room — multi-course, with gnocco fritto, local charcuterie, house pastries, balsamic-drizzled aged Parmigiano, and more.
All rooms include a fully stocked complimentary minibar, espresso machine, and tea selection.
A dedicated room for listening to Massimo Bottura's personal vinyl collection of approximately 8,000 records.
The estate grounds include a boating pond, a 50-variety rose garden, a park of secular oak trees, an orchard, and secluded sitting areas. A 'folly' garden retreat in the traditional English sense provides a quiet spot for reading or afternoon tea.
Wood-decked outdoor pool, open in summer season. Pool house kitchen stocked with complimentary drinks.
Open-air clay/hard court on the estate grounds. Tennis pro available on request.
The estate has a working vegetable garden and a wood-burning pizza oven on the grounds.
Technogym-equipped fitness area housed in the same space as Bottura's personal collection of Italian cars, motorcycles, and art. Open 8am–8pm daily.
The hotel team books guided tours, transfers, golf tee times, and restaurant reservations (including at Osteria Francescana in Modena) on behalf of guests.
Free parking available on the property. The Luigina Cottage has its own gated private parking.
Guests can arrive directly by helicopter. Reservations team handles logistics.
BUILD YOUR CASA MARIA LUIGIA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning