Canonica dei Templari, B&B in the hills of Monferrato
Canonica dei Templari is an old rectory converted into a rural guesthouse in Piazzano, in the Camino area of Piedmont, among the hills of Monferrato. It has a few elegant rooms, a garden with a terrace, a hot tub and a generous breakfast. I recommend it to couples and to anyone who loves quiet and walking trails.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Canonica dei Templari.
Where Canonica dei Templari is and how to get there
Canonica dei Templari stands in Piazzano, at Via Montesion 63, in the municipality of Camino, in the province of Alessandria. It is in the hills of Monferrato, in a rural and quiet area. The listing points to the nearby Masino Castle and the village of Camino, both handy for day trips.
Arriving by car is the best option: the property has private parking. Turin airport is about 66 km away, so Monferrato is a reasonable transfer if you fly in. One guest even chose it as a stopover for a single night during a study trip to the area.
What the rooms and spaces are like
Canonica dei Templari is a rural house renovated in keeping with tradition. There are only a few rooms, and one guest describes them as furnished with old-fashioned yet elegant taste, with classic details and a romantic feel. They are spacious, clean and fitted with flat-screen TVs.
The bathrooms are private, with hair dryers, bidets and toiletries. Outside there is a garden with a terrace, where breakfast is served, and access to a hot tub. WiFi is free. For evenings, anyone who values quiet will find the right place here: one guest recalls how lovely it was to watch the stars from the garden.
- Spacious rooms with private bathroom
- Garden with a terrace for breakfast
- Hot tub
- Private parking and free WiFi
What guests say
The Google rating is 4.8 from 51 reviews. Guests speak of an oasis of peace, cosy rooms and very careful cleaning. The hosts are described by several people as warm, kind and always helpful.
Breakfast is the second big topic: generous, with genuine ingredients and homemade cakes. Some also appreciate the effort to cut down on plastic and the easy access to the trails, useful for walkers.
What to know before you book
An older review notes that breakfast was sweet and lacked anything savoury. The listing now mentions a buffet with continental and Italian options, but if savoury food is essential to you, it is worth asking in advance.
It is also worth being clear about the type of property. Although it appears as a hotel, reviews describe it as a bed and breakfast with a few rooms. Do not expect a reception desk, restaurant or entertainment. The isolated position is part of its charm, but it also means you will need a car for almost everything.
- Only a few rooms, so book ahead
- Isolated position, car almost essential
- No services of a large hotel
Who I recommend it for
I would choose Canonica dei Templari in Piazzano for a couple's weekend, or for anyone who wants to truly switch off, among hills, walks and slow breakfasts. I can also see it as a base for tastings in Monferrato, since one guest used it exactly that way. If you want to compare other places in Piedmont, have a look at Agriturismo Cascina Borio in Villafranca d'Asti, Hotel Giulio Cesare in Turin and La Cascina Grossa in Cascinagrossa.
I would not recommend it to anyone looking for nightlife, to families who need entertainment, or to those who want a traditional hotel with every service. Here the value lies in tranquillity and attention to detail.
What to do around Piazzano
From the rectory you can visit Masino Castle and the village of Camino, and wander the medieval villages of Monferrato. Trails leave conveniently from the property, which is why many guests choose it for walking.
Another reason to stop in this area is the home of the artist Colombotto Rosso in Camino, remembered by a guest who stayed here while studying. Otherwise, the beauty of the place is doing very little: stars in the garden and a good book.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
