Palazzo di Varignana

Palazzo di Varignana: Overview

Nestled within the serene Bolognese hills in Emilia-Romagna, Palazzo di Varignana overlooks the town from which it takes its name. At the heart of the resort stands Palazzo Bentivoglio, a country castle with four distinctive towers dating back to 1705, carefully restored to preserve the elegance of its history.

Surrounding this historic residence is a modern stone-built village, designed in harmony with the natural landscape. Spanning 30 hectares, the estate unfolds into sweeping gardens, tranquil parks, springs, and panoramic vistas. Beyond this, the resort’s farm stretches across 700 hectares, cultivating fresh, ground-to-table ingredients that take center stage in its culinary offerings.

Discover Palazzo di Varignana

Resort Highlights

  • Golf Course

  • Spa Treatments

  • Yoga & Pilates

  • Restaurants & Bars

  • Gym

  • 7 Swimming Pools

  • Tennis, Squash & Padel Courts

What Oliver Loves

  • Spa & Wellness
  • Weddings & Events
  • Concierge Services
  • Wine Tours & Tastings
  • Cooking Classes
  • Longevity & Mindfulness Experiences
  • Health Retreats & Personalised Programmes
  • Sports & Activities

At a Glance

  • Luxury villas, rooms & suites
  • Full range of concierge services
  • Putting green, chipping green & driving range
  • 5 Restaurants, 2 Bars & a Winery
  • Yoga & Pilates classes
  • Personalised health programmes & retreats
  • Personal training & sports lessons
  • Set among stunning sprawling gardens
  • 7 outdoor swimming pools
  • Bike routes
  • Outdoor sports: tennis, squash, padel, basketball

*Please note that during certain times of the year, not all facilities may be available. Some facilities may incur an additional charge.

Facilities

Reawaken your senses with energising outdoor pursuits, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Palazzo di Varignana’s rolling hills. Here, a holiday is so much more than time away, it’s a chance to embrace new rhythms, recharge your energy, and discover a lifestyle that nurtures both body and spirit. From stress-busting activities to soul-soothing escapes, every moment at Palazzo di Varignana resort is designed to help you find your flow and restore perfect harmony between mind, body, and soul.

Restaurants & Bars

The kitchen of Palazzo di Varignana was born from a deep love for the land, a value that has always been at the heart of the resort’s philosophy. Ingredients from the resort’s own zero-mile farm, including its award-winning extra virgin olive oil, take centre stage in every menu, from refined restaurant dishes to grand banquets.

Restaurants

  • Aurevo: The Aurevo restaurant is a tribute to the resort’s award-winning extra virgin olive oil, the “green gold” of these lands, and the soul of their contemporary and sustainable cuisine. A panoramic poolside restaurant, with a relaxed yet elegant setting and a refined Mediterranean cuisine.
  • Le Marzoline: Traditional Emilian-Romagna cuisine in a cosy and informal setting.
  • Ginkgo: For those who wish to combine wellness, good food and nutrition.
  • Il Grifone: Sustainability is the heart of every dish: zero-mile ingredients, seasonality, respect for nature, and a creative approach that minimises waste and enhances every resource. A refined culinary experience that speaks of ethics, local roots, and the future.
  • Treno Reale: For those seeking an iconic location and a romantic atmosphere, dine aboard an authentic vintage train carriage.
  • Oliveto sul Lago: The agricultural estate of Palazzo di Varignana, welcomes guests in its restaurant nestled in the hills and surrounded by our olive trees, with a local cuisine prepared exclusively with zero-mile products.

Bars

  • Lounge Bar: Enjoy cocktails while gazing out across the hills surrounding the resort.
  • Wine Cellar: Elegant wine tasting room overlooking the spectacular vineyard.
  • Pool Bar: In the summer season, while alternating swims in the pool and naps on the sun loungers, the informal atmosphere of the pool bar is ideal for those who want to have a light salad or a quick snack while relaxing by the pool.

Sports & Activities

Golf

Improve your swing in the golf practice area located within the resort consisting of a putting green, chipping green, and driving range with 11 driving stations.

Outdoor Sports

Guests have access to a modern gym with cutting-edge Technogym equipment, tennis, squash, basketball, and padel courts. Private lessons can be booked for all sports.

Bike Hire

Bikes and e-bikes are available for rent at the reception. Download the resort’s mobile app to discover beautiful bike tours.

Walks & Trails

Walk across more than 100 hectares of olive groves and vineyards, following the routes designed for expert joggers or beginners.

Resort Map

Health & Wellness

Palazzo di Varignana is nestled in the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, a region long celebrated for its mild, health-enhancing climate. Guests are invited to embark on a transformative journey of continuous wellness and self-discovery.

Varsana Spa

The spa at Palazzo di Varignana Resort is deeply inspired by the water and other elements of nature to bring you an authentic and immersive wellness experience. Treatments include:

  • Massages
  • Facials
  • Face massages
  • Body peels
  • Reflexology
  • Manicures & Pedicures
  • Make-up Artist
  • Hairdresser

Ars Vivendi Private Spa

  • The Hammam, to immerse yourself in the Arab culture’s practice of body care for purifying it from the toxins of everyday life. A pursuit of harmony following Middle Eastern suggestions through perfumes, elements, and sounds. The application of products with olive oil will help you rediscover full-body presence and the perception of the senses.
  • The Ofuro will bring you to discover the Japanese approach to wellbeing. A treatment where the connection between mind and spirit shapes a new meaning of self-care. The traditional Japanese bath is a spiritual journey where absence becomes presence, emptiness is filled, time expands and you can find your roots in the ancient ritual of the tea ceremony, served on the tatami.

Yoga & Pilates

  • Private or small group classes.

Beauty Line

  • Palazzo di Varignana have developed their own line of skincare beauty products, using ingredients from the land, such as extra virgin olive oil, wine, saffron, and pomegranate.
  • Products are used in spa treatments and can be purchased.

**Please note that there may be a supplement for spa treatments, with advance booking required.

Fitness

The glass-encased gym, with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, is open 24/7. Personal training sessions can be booked, as well as private sports and swimming lessons.

Outdoor Swimming Pools

2,500 square meters of outdoor spaces with 7 outdoor swimming pools overlooking the beautiful hilly landscapes that surround the resort. In the summertime, seven outdoor pools open daily from 9am to 8pm.

**Please note that not all activities are complimentary and may incur a charge.

Health & Wellness Retreats: Acquaviva Method

The resort offers a selection of Health & Wellness Retreats inspired by the science-based Acquaviva Method, developed by Dr. Annamaria Acquaviva, Scientific Director of Palazzo di Varignana. Central to the retreats is the ‘Longevity Menu’, a personalised culinary experience based on strategic combinations of nutraceutical-rich foods, selected to boost physical and mental performance while promoting inner and outer wellness. Health Retreats include:

  • In-Forma
  • Detox
  • Slim
  • Stress Release
  • Deep Sleep
  • Golden Age
  • Yoga & Mindfulness
  • La Dolce Vita
  • Secrets of Longevity

Location

Family & Kids

Palazzo di Varignana are happy to welcome guests of all ages and can assist with organising activities that will appeal to the whole family. Thanks to a wide range of spaces and services designed for the enjoyment of children, parents can enjoy moments of complete relaxation and tranquility.

Pools

Children from 0 to 16 years old in the winter period are welcome at Crystal Pool 2, a pool dedicated to them. During the summer period, access to the resort’s outdoor pools is free. Children 0-16 years of age cannot access the traditional Varsana SPA path. Parental presence is required inside our dedicated spa areas until 16 years of age.

Playroom & Babysitting

The playroom within the resort has many games available for the youngest children to enjoy and is open year-round. Families can request a professional educator or babysitter. In August, children 4-12 years old can participate in the kids club. Activities and supervision of children will be handled by an educator.

Outdoor Play Area

The outdoor play area surrounded by greenery at the resort includes swings, climbing castles, slides, and swings for children from 3 years old. Bikes are available also for our younger guests to follow trails within the estate via the app available for Android and Apple.

Restaurants

Chefs at Aurevo Restaurant and Trattoria le Marzoline have created special menus for children. At the Ginkgo Longevity restaurant, the menu created by Dr. Acquaviva takes them on a journey to discover natural flavours.

*The services are on a request basis and may incur a charge. For more information, please contact our Concierge Team.

Sustainability

Palazzo di Varignana has defined a plan of actions intended to improve the sustainable footprint of the Resort and all its related activities. Diversification of energy sources, reduction and efficiency in water consumption, procurement of raw materials from short supply chain, planting of trees and conversion to organic of some crops.

Since 2015, the agricultural estate Agrivar has expanded to cover 700 hectares of land, introducing olive groves, vineyards, and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables to the hills surrounding Varignana. These products are used in the preparation of dishes served in the resort’s restaurants. Following the principles of the circular economy, the products from their land are used to offer a zero-mile culinary experience and to create the Varsana SPA cosmetic line, made with natural raw ingredients.

Weddings & Events

Weddings

The stunning location of Palazzo di Varignana and their team’s impeccable attention to detail make the resort a perfect place to get married.

Corporate Events

An elegant foyer opens from the historic cellars of Palazzo Bentivoglio which leads to the 300-square-meter Congress Center. Lit by natural light and equipped with blackout windows, it can adapt to any type of event.

From the blog…

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