A PARALLEL WORLD IN THE HEART OF FRIULIA
LOCATION
The eastern hills of Friuli would be an apt translation for Friuli Colli Orientali, a famed Italian wine region. Indeed, these are impressive wine hills. The exceptional flysch geology renders Friuli Colli Oriental one of the preeminent wine regions in Italy. Buttrio is considered the symbolic heart of this southern region, where the breezy, mild effects of the Adriatic create an exceptional microclimate ideal for winemaking.
Buttrio is otherwise famed as the headquarters of the global corporation Danieli Group, a global leader in providing equipment for the metallurgical industry. The hundred-year-old company, situated across from the hotel, is responsible for the project. Although the hotel’s location may not be spectacular per se, a stone’s throw away from the humming motorway to Udine, the architects used the space elegantly, turning a potential weakness into a competitive advantage. Once you set foot in the hotel, you will find yourself in a parallel world that pays homage to the area’s rich history. By the end of your stay, you will be positively impressed by the location. It is ideal for exploring the region’s secrets, as everything is within arm’s reach. Even though we thought the company’s vicinity was the reason behind the choice at first, we realised the architects had made a clever decision.
ACCESSIBILITY
The region’s cultural centre, Udine, is only eight kilometres away. The hotel’s location can thus be dubbed suburban. It is favourable in terms of access to nearby airports. The hotel is only 28 kilometres away or a half-hour drive from Trieste Airport. Venice and Treviso Airports are around 120 kilometres from the hotel or an hour and a half’s drive. From there, you can reach almost any continent. The traffic network in this part of Italy is excellent, meaning you will not have any issues reaching the hotel. Guests arriving by car can park in a spacious parking lot in front of the hotel. Although we did not test the public transport, a quaint, charming train station between Goriza and Udine is just two kilometres away. Once you reach Udine train station, you have limitless possibilities, also thanks to Italy’s fast trains. Bus connections are reliable and frequent, too. We sorely missed bicycle rental, as we are sure it would be a delight to crisscross the picturesque hills on two wheels. We have a suspicion they will start offering them soon, though.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
A petrol station designed by the illustrious avant-garde architect Marcelo D’Olivo once stood where the hotel greets guests today. The boutique La Fucine Caffe & Bistrot within the hotel reinterprets the former function of the petrol station. Italian architect Marco Zito brilliantly captured the zeitgeist with his design in cooperation with the studio Artico and Fracassi. A modern interpretation of the avant-garde architecture from the sixties exudes quality design. Thanks to its organic size and proportions, the hotel blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Today, this popular design is called biophilic design. We were most impressed by the layout of the hotel, featuring two wings and a central magical garden tucked in between. By using and intertwining local materials, the architect achieved a magical effect. The wood (natural oak), stone, concrete and omnipresent verdure greenery invite guests to explore hidden details. Bright, calming tones dominate the interior, balanced by dark and metal details that pay homage to the owners. Le Fucine Hotel is more than an architectural masterpiece; it is a showroom of Italian design crafted in the region. Luxury chairs and loungers made by renowned companies, including Moroso, Mattiazzi, Bross and other household names from interior design, adorn the interior. The interior sensefully elevates and evolves the quality of architectural design.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
The pavilion-like wooden annexe, home to the Le Fucine Gourmet restaurant, is an ideal space for the ambitious gastronomy meticulously prepared by Chef Andrea Fantini and his team. Their minimalist menu is discerningly local and seasonal, or in other words, sustainable. What their kitchen offers is an exemplary case of environment-responsible cuisine. Guests will not find international classics on the menu, only the best the region has to offer. To be more precise, the best of the Friuli Colli Oriental microregion, including superb wines. We relished the star dish – exceptional young beef. What makes the gastronomy stand out, though, is the professional staff. The restaurant has become the talk of the town, and locals from Buttrio flock to the restaurant’s website to book a table and rub shoulders with local luminaries on weekdays and weekends. The catering is superb, too. Our eyes also caught a glimpse of their colourful catering buffet for an event in the hotel. We learned the chef has mastered preparing themed gastronomy for events. At the end of April, he will prepare Wagashi, a traditional Japanese assortment of sweets. Umami!
The breakfast did not disappoint, either. A part of the offer is a la carte, and a part is a classic buffet. All dishes were selected tastefully. Mouthwatering desserts were particularly hard to resist. In any case, the hotel’s gastronomy can easily compete with five-star hotels. The cuisine and superb staff are trademarks that set them apart from other hotels. Le Fucine Hotel has become the centre of social life in the region, which was once an integral function of the best hotels.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
We stayed in a standard double room overlooking the road and parking lot (north block). Should the hotel have a few vacant rooms, we recommend paying extra for the room overlooking the garden (south block). These rooms are named superior. Otherwise, our room was adequate, and we did not hear any noise from the road. With 35 square metres, the spacious room is further optically enlarged by the eye-catching material. The oak wood floor is a delight to walk on and pairs beautifully with the furniture that features an open design with visible coat hangers. They did not experiment with the colours in the room. The white walls thus presented themselves as the perfect canvas for hanging pictures designed by Trieste-based architect Massimo Gardone. In our room, we could enjoy his photographic prints titled Herbarium. A solid bed, although unspectacular in design, ensures quality sleep. One of the highlights of the room are designer lamps by Artemide. We thought the bathroom was elegant, boasting a minimalist combination of sand-grey tiles and black furniture. This design screams less is more. You will be well impressed during your stay if you are a dilettante of minimalism.
Meetings centre
The smaller conference centre has two halls, the large one set in a fluid midway space leading to the northern wing of the hotel. It can accommodate up to 90 attendees, who are bound to feel welcome in the spacious hall. They will have plenty of space to network during coffee breaks, as several lounge areas are ideal for relaxing or chatting. The hall is fitted with the latest and greatest in tech equipment. The smaller hall on the first floor almost identically kitted out, is perfect for up to 40 attendees. Considering the outdoor areas and lounges alongside the official meeting halls, Le Fetucine seems a haven for private and corporate events.
DESSERT – The extras
You can begin exploring the wine offer of Buttrio in the hotel itself, where they house a well-stocked wine cellar. Alternatively, you can head to one of the nearby wineries and arrange a guided, blind or themed wine tasting. We are convinced the wine story will enrich any event in the hotel.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
There are a handful of hotels where the hidden guest assessor has no complaints. In this hotel, our assessor made just one: meagre information about the region. Guests would undoubtedly appreciate it if they had more information about Buttrio or the rolling wine hills.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Artistic ornaments masterfully designed by Massimo Gordone render the hotel as good as any Italian art gallery. His photos ensure event attendees feel welcome even in the meeting hall. At the entrance, guests can admire a bull, a sculpture designed by artist Pietro de Tommaso, who passed away three years ago. The bull is a symbol of the Danieli company.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
While staying here, it becomes clear the hotel was built by an industrial corporation, which understands energy management is a pressing challenge in sustainability. That is why they built a top-of-the-line energy management system with the help of ABB company. It includes a solar electricity station, a system for managing energy use and a tool to optimise all devices remotely. The solution places this hotel among sustainability pioneers. Paired with a sustainable culinary story, the hotel walks the talk. Unlike many other hotels, this hotel neither boasts an army of certificates nor greenwashes its guests with generic campaigns about water use and reusing towels in the bathrooms. It does not need to. Less is more.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
It all starts and ends with design. A hotel functions well if based on firm foundations, be they in sustainability or brand image. It seems Danieli Group’s engineering spirit significantly contributed to the excellent final result of the hotel. They can be proud of their hotel, not only because it is constantly fully occupied but because it has rolled out several praiseworthy technological, user-friendly and architectural innovations. The functional design is an innovation in and of itself. Upon completion of the investment, the hotel will become the centre of social life, linking the sporting club, the hotel and the restaurant. Although the word biophilic design is often misused, it fittingly describes this hotel. We sincerely advise hosting your event here to understand the concept of such a design. Your attendees will convene in an urban, almost industrial environment, yet within the comforting embrace of nature and greenery. Exceptional!
You will struggle to find a similar price for an overnight stay in city hotels. We urge you to book a date for your next event in one of the most avant-garde regional hotels. It will meet all your expectations.
FINAL GRADE: 4.89 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐City Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
