Teamwork and Teamplay
LOCATION
The northern suburbs of Udine boast numerous exceptional restaurants and one of the best golf courses in the region – Golf Club Udine stretches across a wide lowland region surrounded by majestic mountains, oak and beech tree forests, and the enchanting backdrop of the Julian Alps. The course on which the club was founded in 1972 features 18-holes and an integrated 85 acres of playing space, always offering the golfer breathtaking views. The hotel by the golf course is still fresh, as it was only opened in 2016, and its rooms with views of the Alps and its excellent location make it the perfect place for classical meetings and an even better one for incentive experiences. There are numerous programmes to be explored in the region and the birthplace of the best Italian prosciutto – San Daniele – is just a few kilometres away.
ACCESSIBILITY
The new, luxuriously designed hotel lies in the small town of Fagagna, in the heart of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Opened in February 2016, the hotel is a strategic foundation for future investments, easily accessible by car, private plane or helicopter. It only takes about 15-minutes to get to Udine and guests coming by car will love the fact that there is a big car park in front of the hotel. The Villaverde Hotel is a great starting point for exploring the region and its incentive products. The closest airport is located in Trieste and the Marco Polo Airport in Venice is an hour away, very well connected to the more remote overseas destinations.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
The man behind the looks of the hotel is the award-winning architect Alessio Princic, who has Slovenian roots. His main idea was to make the architecture live in symbiosis with nature, creating an almost lyrical and harmonic landscape. Connected by a bridge across the Fagagna–San Daniele road, the hotel and the golf course, as well as the bridge itself, are cleverly integrated into the environment, or more accurately they are hidden below ground. For a geographer, the entire complex might seem like an artificial Karst cave that allows natural light to make its way into the building. The curved lines of the architecture follow the natural configuration of the terrain and at the same time enclosing the space, establishing a feeling of safety and homeliness.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
Sea, mountains, wineries and culinary tradition is a short way to capture the offer of the Friuli region. Golfers are known gourmets and have been praising its culinary story for ages. The restaurant in the hotel offers an authentic dining experience, with guests being able to look into the kitchen. The second restaurant is in the Golf Club’s building, 200 metres away from the hotel complex. Local tradition is what the cuisine is based on and we were especially impressed by the wide selection of exquisite Friulian wines. Waking up to a hearty breakfast served by the incredibly helpful staff and views of the golf course is also probably the most perfect way to start your day.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
Hotel rooms
The hotel was given a four-star superior rating and boasts four floors with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Natural materials are the main theme of the hotel rooms, with modern furniture and designer pieces giving them a luxurious feel. The size of the rooms is above-standard, which is also why they feel very airy and spacious. An emphasis was put on the bathrooms, covered in lavish white marble.
Congress Offer
The pearl of the hotel’s congress offer is an oval congress hall that can host up to 100 guests and features stylish blue tiles, designed by Alessio himself. It is full of high-tech multimedia equipment and looks like a space ship. It is one of the most original halls in the region, perfect for classical congresses or different incentive programmes.
DESSERT – The extras
The 18-hole golf course is famous amongst golfers all around the world, also due to the amazing natural characteristics and charming views of the surrounding mountains. The course has been the competitive scene for some of the most challenging golf competitions in the world.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Alessio didn’t just leave his mark on the exterior but the interior as well. His signature tiles triggered some different opinions, from complete amazement to utter disappointment. It’s definitely a matter of personal taste, but we think the interior is very original and interesting.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Next to the golf course is also a training ground where you can get more familiar with the sport of golf through different programmes for all experience levels.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
If we had to compare Villaverde Hotel & Resort to a car it would definitely be a luxury SUV. It will impress incentive organisers with its golf course and different activities, and excite your congress guests with a holistic experience on a higher level in the wellness centre. The venue is suitable for smaller meetings with up to 50 participants. There is no shortage of different activities, which can due to their closeness to the hotel be explored by bicycle. On top of all that, you will find yourself in the heart of the Friulian culinary story, known as one of the best in the world.
FINAL GRADE: 4.65 SILVER BOUTIQUE MEETING HOTEL
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
