Niko Romito | Casadonna

Casadonna

hotel

Casadonna is a 16th century former monastery in Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, brought back to life after a courageous restoration focused on maintaining its historical character and transitioning into a contemporary one.

The design details are white stones, raw concretes, design and photographic art at the walls, modern antiques, iron, wood and natural materials. Those features characterize the reception area, Reale Restaurant and Casadonna.

Inside the monastery ancient spaces, Cristiana and Niko Romito created a restaurant and 10 guest rooms. The color permeating the whole building is white and it alternates with the purest colors of the works of art by Ettore Spalletti, with the conceptual art by Joseph Kosuth, with the photographs of Mario Giacomelli and with the colorful piece of furniture.

Six hectares of land belonging to the estate comprise the vineyards and the surrounding woods, home for 10 species of bees producing a precious mountain honey, which is the greatest expression of purity of Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo territory. Casadonna houses Accademia Niko Romito, the vocational Academy that follows the Chef’s culinary credo.

Cristiana Romito

Cristiana Romito is the General Manager of Casadonna and Maître d’Hôtel of Reale Restaurant. After a degree in translation and interpreting for German and French language, she started taking care of the dining room of Reale Restaurant in 2000, when she decided together with Niko to take over her father’s restaurant, who had prematurely passed away. After a vocational training course with Gambero Rosso on hospitality and the diploma as Certified Sommelier with the Italian Association for Sommeliers, Cristiana developed her own vision about hospitality and dining service through the years. Her hospitality is authentic but incredibly accurate, caring but delicate. It is the result of a work based on deep understanding and constant communication between the kitchen and the team that Cristiana wanted to build following a flat structure rather than a strict organizational structure.

Along the years, Cristiana has been honored with many awards: in 2012 she clinched the award Le Marchesine "Best Maître" by Identità Golose Guide; in 2018 the award Cantine Ferrari as best ‘Dining Room Hospitality’ by the culinary association ‘’Le Soste’’ and in October 2019, the award Mauviel 1830 “Best Dining Room Director”. The most and the greatest award of all, is the ‘Best Dining Room Manager’ by Les Grandes Tables Du Monde.

simplicity

“Hospitality is connected to authenticity. Guests need to feel at ease once they walk in Casadonna, whether they are used to fine-dining restaurant or they first experience a Michelin-starred restaurant. There is no point in being contrived, be authentic and our true selves, is what guests are looking for. Hospitality for me is something natural, nothing to do with a protocol to abide by.”

flat hierarchy

“Hospitality has clear rules but as far as I am concerned none of them can be overwhelming or strict. We do not follow the pyramidal hierarchy of the brigade system and hospitality. Each of us has his/her own role following my model based on flexibility, cooperation and mutual understanding. You can feel it all around and it helps guests to be well.”

in-depth

“Studying is at the core of our professionalism, it means having a perfect understanding of the dishes, ingredients, techniques and the ideas behind them. Each of us always tries to get to the bottom of the dish and catch the deep meaning it embodies. Similarly, having a deep knowledge of the place we are working in, is crucial, knowing why we chose a specific piece of furniture or a particular work of arts, means being able to communicate that universe to guests through one’s own way …”

essentiality

“I do want a warm and personable service but with no frills. We always explain dishes without being overwhelming. I want my guests to decide the interaction they prefer to have. There are people who don’t like talking too much, others instead who want to know more, we need to be flexible and capable to adjust our communication to their needs and make them have the best experience possible.”

rooms

Ten guest rooms characterised by comfort, natural light, tranquillity and design.

terra

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 35 square meters. No air conditioning.

delizia

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 28 square meters. No air conditioning.

luce

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 23 square meters. No air conditioning.

cielo

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Jacuzzi with double shower and Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 35 square meters. No air conditioning.

poesia

Room with balcony and panoramic view over Casadonna Park and Castel di Sangro valley. Wide double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 38 square meters. No air conditioning.

essenza

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate and Castel di Sangro valley. Jacuzzi and double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 37 square meters. No air conditioning.

sogno

Suite with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Bedroom equipped with in-style tube, double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 42 square meters. No air conditioning.

incanto

Suite with panoramic view over Casadonna estate and Sangro Valley. Fireplace in the room, Jacuzzi and double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 60 square meters. No air conditioning.

armonia

Suite with panoramic view over the surrounding mountains and Casadonna estate. Big jacuzzi and double shower with Hammam. Services Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 55 square meters. No air conditioning.

reale

Suite with panoramic view over the surrounding mountains and Casadonna estate. Big jacuzzi and double shower with Hammam. Services Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 55 square meters. No air conditioning.

breakfast

At Casadonna the day begins with the Italian breakfast served in the room overlooking Sangro Valley and the centennial horse chestnut. Immersed in the tranquillity of the setting created by the surrounding mountains, guests live the experience of a gourmet breakfast, which features local quality products and traditional recipes, reinterpreted according to Niko Romito’s philosophy. A wide selection of products, such as the famous breads and the brioches served with our home-made jams, the honey from the bees of Casadonna, the ‘manteca butter’ and the fresh juices and fruit extracts. An a la carte menu is also offered featuring the iconic “Niko Romito Toast”, the cold zabaglione with the Pandolce from Laboratorio, organic eggs or a selection of artisan cheeses and cured meats.

experiences

For guests staying a few days, the territory offers many opportunities for exploration. Whether just for one night or more, there is a lot to visit. Choose between a few hours’ visits or half a day excursion.

An excursion to the natural Gole del Sagittario, a horse riding across Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, a day dedicated to slow rafting or to the wolf watching experience at the park of Majella, among many other excursions to choose from.

A visit to Cianflocca Farm, in Castel di Sangro, or to the BioAgriturismo Valle Scannese, at Scanno, where you can buy the yogurts and cheeses served at Casadonna.

Decide for a stop to Valle Reale Farm, in Popoli, for a wine tasting of Leanoardo Pizzolo’s wines.

A walk along Pescocostanzo or Scanno which are credited to be two of ‘the most beautiful Italian Villages’ or along Pescasseroli to discover the beauty of Abruzzo villages.

The staff at the reception will be glad to inform you and help you book and organize your excursion.

product

The culinary experience of Niko Romito at home. A selection of pastry and bakery products, which represents the purity of the Chef’s work and embodies the connection between food, health and wellness. Available online.

Casadonna is a 16th century former monastery in Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, brought back to life after a courageous restoration focused on maintaining its historical character and transitioning into a contemporary one.

hotel

The design details are white stones, raw concretes, design and photographic art at the walls, modern antiques, iron, wood and natural materials. Those features characterize the reception area, Reale Restaurant and Casadonna.

Inside the monastery ancient spaces, Cristiana and Niko Romito created a restaurant and 10 guest rooms. The color permeating the whole building is white and it alternates with the purest colors of the works of art by Ettore Spalletti, with the conceptual art by Joseph Kosuth, with the photographs of Mario Giacomelli and with the colorful piece of furniture.

An experimental vineyard surrounds Casadonna, it is mainly growing Pecorino grapes – a local variety- with a few rows of Riesling and black Pinot grapes. It is undoubtedly a heroic vineyard grown at 860 metres above sea level. It produces a sharp mountain Pecorino wine, the Casadonna wine. Riesling and black Pinot grapes are still being experimented to study their ability to adapt to local territory.

Six hectares of land belonging to the estate comprise the vineyards and the surrounding woods, home for 10 species of bees producing a precious mountain honey, which is the greatest expression of purity of Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo territory. Casadonna houses Accademia Niko Romito, the vocational Academy that follows the Chef’s culinary credo.

Cristiana Romito

Cristiana Romito is the General Manager of Casadonna and Maître d’Hôtel of Reale Restaurant. After a degree in translation and interpreting for German and French language, she started taking care of the dining room of Reale Restaurant in 2000, when she decided together with Niko to take over her father’s restaurant, who had prematurely passed away. After a vocational training course with Gambero Rosso on hospitality and the diploma as Certified Sommelier with the Italian Association for Sommeliers, Cristiana developed her own vision about hospitality and dining service through the years. Her hospitality is authentic but incredibly accurate, caring but delicate. It is the result of a work based on deep understanding and constant communication between the kitchen and the team that Cristiana wanted to build following a flat structure rather than a strict organizational structure.

Along the years, Cristiana has been honored with many awards: in 2012 she clinched the award Le Marchesine "Best Maître" by Identità Golose Guide; in 2018 the award Cantine Ferrari as best ‘Dining Room Hospitality’ by the culinary association ‘’Le Soste’’ and in October 2019, the award Mauviel 1830 “Best Dining Room Director”. The most and the greatest award of all, is the ‘Best Dining Room Manager’ by Les Grandes Tables Du Monde.

simplicity

“Hospitality is connected to authenticity. Guests need to feel at ease once they walk in Casadonna, whether they are used to fine-dining restaurant or they first experience a Michelin-starred restaurant. There is no point in being contrived, be authentic and our true selves, is what guests are looking for. Hospitality for me is something natural, nothing to do with a protocol to abide by.”

flat hierarchy

“Hospitality has clear rules but as far as I am concerned none of them can be overwhelming or strict. We do not follow the pyramidal hierarchy of the brigade system and hospitality. Each of us has his/her own role following my model based on flexibility, cooperation and mutual understanding. You can feel it all around and it helps guests to be well.”

in-depth

“Studying is at the core of our professionalism, it means having a perfect understanding of the dishes, ingredients, techniques and the ideas behind them. Each of us always tries to get to the bottom of the dish and catch the deep meaning it embodies. Similarly, having a deep knowledge of the place we are working in, is crucial, knowing why we chose a specific piece of furniture or a particular work of arts, means being able to communicate that universe to guests through one’s own way …”

essentiality

“I do want a warm and personable service but with no frills. We always explain dishes without being overwhelming. I want my guests to decide the interaction they prefer to have. There are people who don’t like talking too much, others instead who want to know more, we need to be flexible and capable to adjust our communication to their needs and make them have the best experience possible.”

rooms

Ten guest rooms characterised by comfort, natural light, tranquillity and design.

classic room

terra

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 35 square meters. No air conditioning.

delizia

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 28 square meters. No air conditioning.

luce

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 23 square meters. No air conditioning.

deluxe room

cielo

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate. Jacuzzi with double shower and Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 35 square meters. No air conditioning.

poesia

Room with balcony and panoramic view over Casadonna Park and Castel di Sangro valley. Wide double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 38 square meters. No air conditioning.

essenza

Room with panoramic view over Casadonna estate and Castel di Sangro valley. Jacuzzi and double shower with Hammam. Services: Internet WI-FI, free minibar, satellite TV, telephone, radio, wake-up call, bathrobe, 37 square meters. No air conditioning.

suites