Tucked just outside the city walls, on a side street near Pile Gate, Heritage Villa Nobile is the best of both worlds – modern yet historic, central yet secluded. Once the home of an affluent intellectual and notable pianist, Maria Rubricius, and her husband, the doctor Jero Pugliesi, the house remained in the same family for three generations. After a brief change of hands, it was then bought by current owners Tina and Stipe Milisic, who thoughtfully renovated it into the high-end boutique property you see today.
The six bedrooms pay homage to Maria and Dr Pugliesi and their circle of friends, with names such as the Captain’s Room, the Doctor’s Room, and the Artist’s Room. Tina delved into the archives to research the villa’s former inhabitants and bring their history to life. Throughout the hotel, small cabinets display their personal effects.
Bedrooms have state-of-the-art tech such as underfloor heating, touch lighting, minibar and Nespresso coffee machine. Interiors are tasteful and stylish, with shades of pale grey and white, natural stone walls, mottled glass mirrors and restored antique furnishings. The Musician’s Room, on the ground floor, which contains a piano, is where Maria and Dr Pugliesi used to host their regular Monday night soirées, which would attract visitors from the nearby Grand Imperial Hotel (now the Hilton), who would drift in after hearing the music while out on their evening walk.
Breakfast is served in the front garden – a little oasis of calm, with orange trees and old Japanese Sago palms, where mornings begin with a continental tray of cold meats, cheeses and fruits, and evenings can be enjoyed with a glass of wine. With its strict over-16s policy, this is a refined retreat for those seeking a grown-up escape.