Last week was unusual, to say the least. Just Tom and me in our own enormous pile, with two gigantic thermally heated swimming pools and a fully equipped gym all to ourselves.

We have had our very own personal chef, waiter, barman, secretary, housemaid and fresh sheets and towels provided daily.

We started each day in a huge breakfast room, tables laden with cold meats, cheeses, croissants and wholegrain bread rolls, while our eggs were specially prepared to order.

Dinner was in the Rose Room with our waiter, Federico, suitably clad in a black and white uniform standing discreetly to one side while we ate our four course dinner and sipped the wines of our choice. 

I know you’re thinking that Tom and I have won the Lotto or that we’ve moved into Downton Abbey. But no. The situation was far more interesting than that.

For the past several months, while I have been receiving intensive physiotherapy after two rounds of major spinal surgery, Tom and I have been staying in an excellent medical hotel, where aftercare is professionally provided.

In the meantime, we have been waiting for the construction of our new home here in the Veneto to be finalised. Rather than struggle to find a short term rental, we decided to extend our comfortable hotel stay here until we can move in next month. 

During normal times, this is a very busy and popular hotel where we have musical evenings with Mauro, our singing barista, gala nights when Angelo plays the piano so beautifully while we dine; regular wine and cheese tastings; a fortnightly chocolate buffet and generally a lively and cheerful place to have spent the past months. Not everyone is in rehab here. Many groups come to experience the top quality thermal mud therapy and other beauty treatments available.

However, the hotel has just had to close for a week while the reception area is being refurbished. The red and gold floral carpet has been unceremoniously removed and has been replaced by enormous new marble tiles.

In the meantime, as we have been here for so long we are almost part of the furnishings ourselves, the owner has allowed us to stay on as its only guests. 

On Thursday we even had our own personal Gala Night. Mauro sang his heart out, accompanied by Angelo on an electric piano. It was the best night ever!

Returning to our room after an excellent dinner in the Rose Room, having said goodnight to Federico, the only sound we could hear was our footsteps echoing surreally along the long empty corridors. 

Truly La Dolce Vita, billionaire style! 

Orna O’Reilly

Monteortone, (Padova), Veneto, Italy

December 2024