You might find yourself complaining about the steep, winding drive up to Casa Colleverde, but as soon as you reach your destination and gaze at the magnificent vista from the infinity pool, you’ll realise the journey was entirely worth it. After all, no view as good as this comes without a climb.
Perched outside the tiny village of Castelnuovo Magra in the wooded Colline del Sole, this 1950s house has been completely redesigned to take full advantage of its setting. The building is dominated by glass walls and twin-aspect balconies looking out over the hills to the sea, and on a clear day you can see as far as Corsica. The feel is tranquil and intimate - there are only 3 suites, each large and stylish with sleek Italian furniture and a private terrace. You’ll also be treated to knockout breakfasts from welcoming host Lisa, and an outdoor chill-out zone where you can sprawl out with a glass of local wine. As for the location, it’s perfect for exploring: head north to Portofino and the famous Unesco-listed villages of the Cinque Terre, or south to Pisa, Lucca and the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Highs
- A handy base for Liguria and northern Tuscany, yet well away from the crowds who flock to both regions in summer
- Good value for the area, particularly given the high level of style and service and the spacious suites
- A gorgeous infinity pool flanked by a chill-out zone with bean bags and loungers
- Lisa is a wonderful host, with a mine of knowledge about the area
- Did we mention the view?
Lows
- No children under 12 unless you take the whole place; this is a peaceful, grown-up retreat
- No daily lunches or dinners, though light meals can be arranged on request
- You’ll need a car to explore, and to venture out for food in the evenings
- The road up is steep, bumpy and very twisty
Best time to go
Casa Colleverde is open from April to October. It makes a great spot to relax at any time, but we recommend spring or autumn, when the temperatures are slightly cooler and you can beat the crowds on the nearby coast.
Our top tips
Try the pizzas at Napoli e Pepe, a 10-minute drive from Casa Colleverde - they’re some of the best we’ve ever tasted. You can choose your own toppings or pick from an extensive list of tried-and-tested combinations (we'd particularly recommend those which include brie).
- Boutique guesthouse
- 3 rooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- Over 12s only
- Closed: 1 Jan 2025 - 31 Mar 2025...
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 3 suites are super-stylish with contemporary Italian furniture, yet also comfortable and welcoming. Their sleek white walls and tiled floors are warmed by pops of colour (burnt orange, lime green) in cushions, rugs and artwork, and all feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to private outdoor sitting areas. The ensuite bathrooms are swish affairs with rain showers and separate tubs.
We stayed in Fico d’India, which sits on the ground floor, and loved its direct access to the pool; the Neroli Suite on the floor above is a like-for-like copy with a balcony offering sweeping views. Both feature double bedrooms and living spaces with huge, comfy sofas. Biggest of all is the Melograno Suite, back on the ground floor, which has a vast terrace accessible from both the bedroom and the separate sitting room.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast (8.30-11am) is a continental affair taken on the terrace whenever the weather allows, with all the usual suspects plus eggs made to order. Standouts for us were the olive and fruit breads from the local bakery, and the homemade fig jam.
Lisa can provide simple lunches and dinners on request - perhaps pizza or barbecue food - and you can help yourself to tea and coffee in the kitchen; a selection of wines and spirits are available on an honesty basis, too. Generally though, you'll need to drive out to eat in the evenings; just ask for restaurant recommendations.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Lunch by arrangement
Activities
- Strike out into the wooded hills which surround Casa Colleverde. Several walks lead straight out from the house - Lisa can point you in the right direction
- Explore the Cinque Terre - a must-see string of pastel-coloured harbour villages (Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Monterosso) linked by rail, ferry and spectacular coastal footpath. You can’t take cars into their centres, so park in La Spezia (40 minutes away) and catch the train or boat from there
- Venture further along the Ligurian coast and you’ll come to the pretty fishing town of Camogli, the glittering resort of Portofino (where you can catch a boat round to the picturesque beachside abbey of San Fruttuoso), and the historic regional capital of Genoa
- Head in the other direction to the beautiful Tuscan cities of Pisa and Lucca, both within an easy drive
- Or just laze by the pool and lap up that view
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
This is a peaceful, sophisticated sort of place, and no kids under 12 are allowed unless you book the whole house on an exclusive basis.
If you’re coming with a child over 12, all suites have sofabeds; the best option is Melograno, as the sofabed sits in a separate living room.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Casa Colleverde sits on a hillside above the village of Castelnuovo Magra, in the wooded Colline del Sole. It’s in southern Liguria, 40 minutes' drive from the regional town of La Spezia and close to the border with Tuscany.
By Air:
Pisa Galileo-Galilei is the closest airport (60km away) and is served by numerous airlines - click on the links below for a list. You could also fly into Genoa Cristoforo Colombo, 100km away.
From the Airport
Transfers can be arranged, but you really need your own car to make the most of the area and to drive out for meals - see our car rental recommendations. There’s free parking on site, and detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape. 
More on getting to Liguria and getting around
Airports:
- Pisa Galileo-Galilei 60.0 km PSA
- Genoa Cristoforo Colombo 100.0 km GOA
Other:
- Beach 14.0 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape