The Olmo Hotel

A hotel that re-imagines vernacular tradition with a minimalist aesthetic.

Millions of tourists visit the Italian Alps every year and they have plenty of hotels to choose from to make their stay comfortable. However, not every hotel can claim to have deep roots in local traditions and ancient architecture like Olmo. Nestled in the village of Ponchiera, the Province of Sondrio, Italy, the retreat is located inside a restored farmhouse. Sondrio-based architect Rocco Borromini, who has experience in renovation projects of traditional houses, transformed the old building into a welcoming, modern hotel. The architect preserved the character of the traditional design as well as many original elements, including the ancient stone cellars. Left abandoned for many years, the building required restoration work as well as upgrades to make it work as a contemporary hotel. Photographer Marcello Mariana captured the result.

Refined design that pays homage to tradition.

The Olmo farmhouse hotel stands on the slopes of the Rhaetian Alps and overlooks the Orobie Alps and Sondrio. Guests who step into the reception area discover an elegant space with tile flooring and rustic details. The original staircase leads up to the newly built attic designed to match the materiality of the original building. In this large suite, the only one on the floor, guests find a huge panoramic window that opens to breathtaking views of the Alps. All of the rooms have an interior design that refines vernacular tradition. Apart from hexagonal, colored cement tile flooring, they also feature dark wood furniture and chairs that add a color accent.

Minimalist and modern but airy and light, the rooms encourage guests to relax. Large windows also let them feel fully immersed into the mountainous landscape. The hotel has a breakfast room where guests can start off their day with some Italian coffee. In the area, great places to visit include vineyards and wineries, historic buildings as well as natural attractions like Lago Nero. You can check out more photos and info about the Olmo hotel on their Instagram page. Photography© Marcello Mariana.