We had a truly wonderful week at the quirky and magical Mereta. Situated in a small and friendly village amongst olive groves, and with spectacular views down the valley to Chiavari and the sea, it is a great place to relax and unwind. All the rooms are huge, have amazing antique furniture (we were still spotting interesting items at the end of a week) and are very comfortable. The pool is an ideal place to cool down in the summer heat, and from which to watch the sun setting behind the mountains. There is an excellent local restaurant, a very convivial outdoor bar and coffee shop and a small general store in the village. It is quick to drive to Chiavari or a very reliable bus service runs from outside the gate. We really hope to return.

The stay at Castello della Mereta was simply wonderful. We were able to spend two wonderful weeks in Liguria and enjoy the great weather, the beautiful scenery, the good Italian food and the Castello. La dolce vita! The Castello is fantastically situated and a wonderful vacation home. We especially liked the well-kept outdoor areas with the numerous seating areas. The huge roof terrace offers a magnificent view of the Mediterranean and the surrounding hills. The castle garden provides shady seating. The pool area offers very comfortable sun loungers, additional seating and an approximately 4x6 meter saltwater pool with a whirlpool function. The Castello is very spacious and tastefully furnished with lots of antique furniture. It is a very special vacation home and the stay is a unique experience that makes you feel like a real lord of the castle for the time of your stay. Alberto is a very nice and accommodating host and landlord. All requests were answered quickly and were always very helpful. Battista took care of the outside facilities very reliably, maintained the pool and the garden. Special praise and a big MILLE GRAZIE goes to Silvia, who is the property manager. Silvia not only takes care of welcoming guests. She was always available for questions throughout our stay and responded to every question with breathtaking speed. Silvia was so kind and gave us many great recommendations (stores, shopping, etc.) and even arranged for us to stay at a nearby ristorante (Pepen) and made the reservation. She also did a wonderful job organizing a boat trip and did all the planning and coordination for us. The service provided by Silvia, as well as Battista and Alberto, is second to none and made an already wonderful stay a unique experience. We can unreservedly recommend Castello della Mereta as a vacation domicile. We enjoyed the two weeks there very much and had an unforgettable time.

What a fantastic time we had at this very unique venue! Staying in a very historic Castle can be a bit intimidating, but with the guidance of the property owner and his property manager, Silvia , we found this the perfect place to meet up with our dear friends from Switzerland and back home in the U.S. And the ideal jumping off spot to explore Portofino, Santa Margharita and Rapallo to the north and Cinque Terre to the south. We cooked delicious meals together (making good use of the pizza oven), had refreshing swims in the pool with an amazing view and just enjoyed being in this beautiful place with our dear friends, with Italian sight-seeing being the added benefit to our stay. The accommodations were so comfortable for all of us and Silvia so accommodating with all of my questions. She even made us reservations at nearby Ristorante Pepen, which is a must for your stay! as We were treated so well by them, with course after course of the tastiest food, impeccable service and a lovely view from our outdoor table for 10! The food, the wine, the delicious and time-intensively prepared cake, just for us, make me wish we lived nearby for a repeat dinner whenever we wanted! That was an evening to remember, as was our stay at Castle Mereta! Forever grateful for our time here and for the opportunity to stay in such a historic location! Thank you!

If you are looking for a getaway that is away from the city noise but still close enough where you can quickly go into town if you need something, this is the place for you. The castle is amazing and is exactly that. If you are looking for something modern, this is not for you. The pool and yard are amazing and I would say that is the most modern part, but the castle itself was built in the early 1500s and maintains that charm. Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, and the kitchen is well stocked. If I had one recommendation, it would be to replace some of the mattresses, but I find that they are all the same across Italy/Europe. The family is commutative and if there are any issues or concerns they are a phone call or text away. The center of Chiavari is about 5km away, and you still have easy access to Portofino, Cinque Terre, or Genova by train or car. Keep in mind that you need to have a car to get there.

Great stay. Excellent customer support. Sylvia and Alberto were very responsive and caring. Very spacious and lovely pool. I suggest you having a car as the villa is 10 minutes (by car) up in the beautiful mountains. Unique experience in a 1400 castle.

This was such a unique place to stay and as much as the place was very cool and unique what really made it fantastic was our hosts Alberto and Silvia. They went out of their way numerous times to help us and could not have been kinder when we found ourselves in a bit of jam with transporation issues . When they urge you to get a car its no joke this place is wonderfully remote but you really do need a car. We did not have one and that was our mistake but truly Alberto and Silvia are superstars at hosting and we are so grateful for their help.

Amazing weekend get away! Pictures do not do the property justice. Alberto and Silvia were excellent hosts and very attentive to any needs. My only regret is not having spent more time there!

We had a wonderful time staying at the castle. We would have loved to be able to climb the tower, but, alas, it is closed due to structural concerns (not a surprise as it was built over 6 centuries ago). The location is ideal to travel to the Cinque Terre and all of the towns and cities of the west coast of Italy. We stayed for only two nights and wish it were more, but our travel schedule only allowed for this short time. We had great days at the Cinque Terre and Portofino and the castle's location made travel to both a breeze. We used the train to go to the Cinque Terre and drove to Portofino. We spent the evenings enjoying the pool, multiple patios, the views from high on the hill and especially enjoyed the fog rolling in over the hill and enveloping us and all of the hill all the way to the valley. It was awe inspiring. The castle is not for the person who can't do steps, but we loved every step in the place. Our hosts were great and made our stay a real pleasure. Overall, I would say go to the Castle and stay a while. It will be worth your time and effort. Thanks to Alberto and Silvia for all of your help in making our stay in the Castle a time to remember.

We just loved our stay at Castle Mereta. Our hosts were helpful and very responsive. The house itself is so fun! So many places to hang out. Beautiful views of the hillside and the sea. We made a few great feasts in the well-stocked kitchen. From the castle we enjoyed a day trip to Portofino and the surrounding towns, and another to Cinque Terra by train. We mostly loved spending time around home. After two weeks of traveling through the more touristy side of Italy we really enjoyed making trips into Chiavari to get a glimpse of the local life. We found a little farmers market in the square in the mornings, a butcher and bakeries as well. We also made several visits to Defilla in Chiavari for gelato and apperitivos. Angelica made a reservation for us at Pepen, which we loved, definitely go there and bring your appetite (just know that is a fish-forward meal)! As others have mentioned, its up a windy road and has a number of floors so lots of stairs, but well worth it, you don’t get views like that without some height :). Book a stay at Mereta for a vacation you will never forget!

The property is spectacular. The setting high above the ocean provides great views of the water and coastline. Angelica is the property manager and was delightful. She also produces great olive oil. She was helpful with advice, restaurant assistance and helped us find an Italian cooking experience with Valentina. Valentina was also great and highly recommended. There are many stairs as outlined by others. They are safe and well maintained. The castle is a wonderful experience mixing the past, privacy and easy road access to the town below. Thanks Angelica and Alberto.

We just loved staying in Castello del Mereta! Our host Angelica was very accessible and answered all our questions promptly. There are 5 floors of stairs to navigate, so would not recommend for guests that have challenges with stairs. We made sure to sit in all the salons and soak up the history and 1920's decor. The special accordian concert in the garden was a treat. The views amazing. The nearby Pepen Restaurant has an antipasti experience that is not to be missed. Ask Angelica to make reservations. Thanks so much!

The owner's representative (Angelica) was very accommodating and helpful in the check-in process and gave us excellent suggestions for food and sites to visit in the vicinity. We especially appreciated hearing about Pizzaria Momma, which has excellent food. My wife and I had our three kids (two young adult, one 13) with us for a family vacation and 30th annivThis is advertised as a castle, and it certainly is. The property is comprised of three buildings, including the house, the old barn built in 1448, and the tower built in 1478. The tower is not currently accessible due to safety concerns inside, but is an iconic part of the property. The grounds are wonderful, with multiple areas to sit and enjoy the sun. There are many small lizards around, which my kids greatly enjoyed. Off-street gated parking was secure and handy. It is located up a winding road about 5 km (3 miles) from Chiavari, and about 2 miles as the crow flies to the Med. The main deck of the fourth level (where the bedrooms and bathrooms are located) is fabulous. The view down to the sea is awesome, particularly in the early evening as the sun is setting in the hills behind you. We enjoyed several meals there in the evening, including some amazing local pesto on fresh pasta.The house does not have air conditioning, but has multiple windows with good cross circulation. The owners have thoughtfully screened most of the windows so they can be left open at night to cool the castle. The windows have bars for security as well.The bottom level is the kitchen, which has been updated nicely, and is very functional. The kitchen includes remnants of old equipment, including a large old grape press, and an apparently functional traditional pizza oven. We wished we had taken the opportunity to use it. The next level is the private tavern, which seats in excess of 40, with beautiful flagstones for a floor (as does the kitchen). The main floor is comfortable and useable. As mentioned, the fourth level is the bedrooms, and fifth level is another bedroom with bathroom. The entire house is furnished with really nice old furniture and museum quality antique decorations and art.We were looking for a memorable place to stay for our Italian vacation, and this castle/house made our vacation one our kids will remember for their lifetime. It was a great jumping off point for many sites north and south to visit. We recommend Mereta very, very highly.

The owner's representative (Angelica) was very accommodating and helpful in the check-in process and gave us excellent suggestions for food and sites to visit in the vicinity. We especially appreciated hearing about Pizzaria Momma, which has excellent food. My wife and I had our three kids (two young adult, one 13) with us for a family vacation and 30th anniv This is advertised as a castle, and it certainly is. The property is comprised of three buildings, including the house, the old barn built in 1448, and the tower built in 1478. The tower is not currently accessible due to safety concerns inside, but is an iconic part of the property. The grounds are wonderful, with multiple areas to sit and enjoy the sun. There are many small lizards around, which my kids greatly enjoyed. Off-street gated parking was secure and handy. It is located up a winding road about 5 km (3 miles) from Chiavari, and about 2 miles as the crow flies to the Med. The main deck of the fourth level (where the bedrooms and bathrooms are located) is fabulous. The view down to the sea is awesome, particularly in the early evening as the sun is setting in the hills behind you. We enjoyed several meals there in the evening, including some amazing local pesto on fresh pasta. The house does not have air conditioning, but has multiple windows with good cross circulation. The owners have thoughtfully screened most of the windows so they can be left open at night to cool the castle. The windows have bars for security as well. The bottom level is the kitchen, which has been updated nicely, and is very functional. The kitchen includes remnants of old equipment, including a large old grape press, and an apparently functional traditional pizza oven. We wished we had taken the opportunity to use it. The next level is the private tavern, which seats in excess of 40, with beautiful flagstones for a floor (as does the kitchen). The main floor is comfortable and useable. As mentioned, the fourth level is the bedrooms, and fifth level is another bedroom with bathroom. The entire house is furnished with really nice old furniture and museum quality antique decorations and art. We were looking for a memorable place to stay for our Italian vacation, and this castle/house made our vacation one our kids will remember for their lifetime. It was a great jumping off point for many sites north and south to visit. We recommend Mereta very, very highly.

The castle certainly provided the wow factor when you first walked through the door. There was ample room for 4 couples and an ideal place to celebrate our anniversary. Such beautiful surroundings and very well equipped. Used the pizza oven one day and made some delicious pizzas, it was such fun. Had a beautiful meal cooked for us to help celebrate our anniversary, it was a truly memorable time.

The setting could not have been more beautiful. My family and I especially enjoyed the terrace and garden. Angelica took care of our every need and the cooking class and meal with Valentina was so special. In spite of the unusual heat, we were very comfortable with fans and large windows offering delicious breezes. Even the gardner was especially friendly and helpful. It was a memorable time with family in a very special place.

This property is an experience! The host a Angelica is a wonderful woman who was so welcoming and helpful. They house is old and awesome. It was so cool to stay in a castle. The only complaint, which isn’t really the property’s fault, is it was miserably hot. End of June 80 degree heat was awful in this house with no AC. Fans barely helped at all and the breeze was so minimal it didn’t cool it down much at all. I would have loved to stay here in a cooler month.

beautiful property, views were incredible - lacked comfortable outdoor furniture to relax on the upper walk out deck

This is a location to tell your friends about. Mereta dates back to the 1400's and houses a vast array of antiquities, a cozy kitchen, lovely bedrooms, and a location that most people only dream about. Set high above the town and port of Chiavari, the view of the Ligurian Sea is nothing short of spectacular. There is easy access to the towns of the Cinque Terre by train from Chiavari and a short drive to Portofino and other locations on the Italian riviera. Anjelica is a lovely host, who checked in with us almost daily to make sure we had everything we needed. There are restaurants nearby that create delicious local meals. Our family of 5 had a memorable week and very much enjoyed hearing the bells from the nearby church. Bellissimo! PS They even flew the American flag from the castle tower, which made us feel very much at home.

Castello Mereta met all our expectations. It is big enough to provide both indoor and outdoor spaces to each person and also has comfortable and inviting areas to enjoy each other's company. The views from the enormous terrace are spectacular giving a delightful backdrop for an evening meal or glass of wine. We were pleased by the cleanliness of every room and the usefulness of the kitchen facilities. It is a bit hard to locate at first situated as it is high in the mountains above Chiaveri but it's actually not far from the town once you get a hang of the route. Hiking opportunities abound and the ferry boat trip to Portofino and Frutuoso was delightful. Four ladies from Canada would highly recommend this place!

We stayed for 4 nights with a group of 6 friends. The views are spectacular and the castle charming. Angela and Francesca were very responsive and kind. Francesca taught a cooking class including home made pasta, pesto and tiramisu. We ate on the outdoor patio with church bells in the background and ocean breezes. The home has a quaint, eclectic decor and is clean and comfortable. As with many ancient buildings it has multiple flights of stairs that wouldn’t be suitable for those with mobility challenges. Overall, we will cherish our experience at this property.

We stayed at Mereta Castle for 5 nights with 8 people. It's like stepping back in time but still having all the present day comforts. The beds were very comfortable in spacious rooms with lovely views. We spent every evening on the upper balcony patio overlooking the valley with it's awe-inspiring views. The huge kitchen boasts a wood fire pizza oven which we used to make the best pizza ever! And when you want to just relax and read a book you can find many beautiful places in the gardens to sit in the shade. We were at Mereta Castle during a heat wave but the night breezes off the sea cooled our rooms, with the help of fans, and we slept comfortably. This place is everything it boasts and more. Angelica supplied us with a lot of helpful information about the Castle and the surrounding area before we came and was always prompt in answering any questions. This place is up the mountain and we rented cars to get to and from the town of Chiavari and the train station. There is a parking lot at the train station where you can leave your car for €0.50-€0.80/hour and take the train to Cinque Terra or the ferry to Portofino. The Coop in Chiavari is a great place to buy groceries. If you're looking for a lovely evening out make sure you visit Pepen, just down the road from the Castle at the hairpin turn - they will dote on you with an amazing multi-course meal for only €25-30. All in all, we were very happy to stay at Mereta Castle and hope we can return again some day! Thanks!!

This was beyond what we could have hoped for. It is a long drive up the hill but the view is spectacular when you get there. The near by restaurant (Pepen) was recommended and was wonderful. I would definitely recommend this rental.

What a beautiful place! So many beautiful pieces of antique furniture to look at. Huge place, lots of stairs. I’d love to bring my whole family! The bedrooms are huge and the beds are so comfy. Unprecedented view! Thankyou Marianna and Angelica!

Fascinating property with a lot of history in it. Incredible view from lanai Angelica was very helpful. I would come back and recommend this property to my friends.

This is a special place. A medieval castle with 21st century amenities Everyone was incredibly responsive, helpful and friendly. Even the cat was friendly. We cooked and enjoyed a well equipped kitchen. we slept in comfortable beds with beautiful bedspreads. Every effort was made so that your stay was wonderful. The views were spectacular with the terraces offering places to gather and enjoy a very unique place thank all of you for making this out favorite part of our vacation. ,

We all had a fantastic week at Mereta. Two parents, three teenagers and two grandparents..... and there was plenty of room for us all. The owner was easy to communicate with before our arrival, as was Angelica, who looks after the house. She met us on arrival and gave us the grand tour of the historical building. She was very helpful during the week and answered any questions we had. The house is immaculately clean, the beds are incredibly comfortable and the views from the terrace are amazing. We all had fun using the traditional pizza oven one evening - the kitchen got very hot! The main road is about 10-15 minutes away by car and once you're there, there's plenty of places to visit should you wish. We would highly recommend this as a place to stay. Grazie mille!

If you ever wanted to stay in a real 15th century castle with a stone balcony overlooking a forested valley sloping down to theMediteranean, then this is your opportunity. Angelica was extremely friendly and helpful even though we only stayed for two nights. The castle itself was fully furnished iwith fascinating period pieces and many charming places to sit and admire your surroundings. The nearby restaurant Pepen was a unique culinary experience with multiple delicious courses at a very reasonable cost. I fully recommend the castle, but you need to know that you will be climbing a lot of stairs since the unique and charming kitchen is in the basement and the only bathrooms are on the second floor. However, the experience is worth the effort.

The Mereta Castle exceeded our expectation in every way! Comfortable beds, gorgeous views, magnificent grounds. Thank you Angelica for your hospitality. The owners have a gem. We look forward to coming back. Lori and Dave

We very much enjoyed our stay. The castle offered many comforts and incredible views.