"Holiday home of the week: a country retreat on Croatia’s Istrian peninsula"

Villa Angelo in The Spaces Magazine

"In short: the perfect holiday home"

Villa Angelo in Barts Boekje

“The decor is stunning, simple but in excellent taste and the recent addition of the amazing infinity pool and a beautiful garden complement the stunning views from the Loggia.”

We had an amazing stay at Ben's house in glorious Motovun. Communication was consistently excellent and clear instructions were given on arrival where the excellent Kristina made sure we were properly welcomed. And then the house itself. Well just wow! We now know from chatting to Ben that this property is a family labour of love with a long and interesting history and it shows. The decor is stunning, simple but in excellent taste and the recent addition of the amazing infinity pool and a beautiful garden complement the stunning views from the Loggia. If this sounds a bit gushing then so be it, as we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even during one of Motovun's spectacular night time thunderstorms with the lightning and thunder crashing around us. The town itself is a marvel and easy to access if you are aerobically minded (the hills are not for the faint hearted) and there are decent places to eat although as Ben points out there are probably better places away from the town itself. We mostly lazed but there are lots of pretty towns (coastal and otherwise) to visit within reasonable distance and I loved walking chunks of the Parenzana (a disused railway now converted into a walking trail). Thanks Ben - we will be back!

— John Ashworth & Family, UK, August 2017

“Every day you get up and look out the window in amazement at the view and the building. The recently added garden is also a haven that has been stunningly designed and planted.”

Just back from spending 2 weeks at Villa Angelo and it was everything we were hoping and more. The pictures are a great representation of what you get - stunning views, an amazing pool (larger than expected and about 3m deep at the deep end) and a great large villa with high quality appliances and equipment throughout. It is all very comfortable and luxurious without being fussy and all very usable. Every day you get up and look out the window in amazement at the view and the building. The recently added garden is also a haven that has been stunningly designed/planted. Check-in and help when needed was quick and simple and it is a great base to explore Istria from without being in the middle of a large town but still having some great local places to go and visit. Being there during the Motovun Film Festival was great fun too (not too busy or noisy at all), great venues for some very good movies. We really cannot recommend this highly place highly enough - certainly our best AirBNB experience yet

— Charles Marks & Family, UK, July 2017

"Urlaub für die Seele in einem echten Traumhaus! Authentisch, liebevoll und mit gutem Geschmack renoviertes Steinhaus im malerischen Motovun."

Urlaub für die Seele in einem echten Traumhaus! Authentisch, liebevoll und mit gutem Geschmack renoviertes Steinhaus im malerischen Motovun. Ich habe in der Villa Angelo erst einige Tage mit Freunden verbracht, dann noch mit Familie. Wir wollten eigentlich Istrien bzw. die Strände erkunden (Novigrad und Porec sind sehr nah!), allerdings konnte sich niemand von diesem besonderen Platz losmachen: Im Infinity-Pool meint man, durch die grüne Landschaft Istriens zu schwimmen. Die Villa erfüllt hohe Standards in punkto Lage (ungestört und nicht einsichtig, Blick ins Grüne, Lebensmittel und Restaurants in Spazierweite), Ausstattung (Pool mit Luxus-Außenbetten und Kühlfächern für Getränke; große Betten mit hochwertigen Matratzen, eine Küche, der es an nichts fehlt) und vor allem Geschmack: wunderschöne Holz- und Steinböden, viele Altholz-Tischlereien, dezente Liebhaber-Möbel, tw. Kunst an den Wänden. Ein besonderes Highlight: die Badewanne :-) Kommunikation und Information ohne Wartezeit, Kristina vor Ort, jederzeit erreichbar und sehr zuvorkommend. Ich komme bestimmt wieder!

— Daniela Jungreuthmayer & Friends, Austria, June 2017

“The view is stunning and even more beautiful than any picture of it. And of course the pool. Just awesome!”

We booked over half a year in advance because Villa Angelo was booked for the whole summer. We stayed there for 7 nights with 4 kids an 4 adults. Ben - the host - was very friendly and helpful and answered all of our questions. A few days before we started the trip, Kristina - the Property Manager - mailed us a PDF: There where helpful infos for arriving, living in the house, finding the best places in Motovun and Istria. Some insider tourist tips. The house was awesome and much bigger than we expect. Everything there is really beautiful, light, clean and artistic. This is definitly a 5-Star-location. You´ll find everything in the house you´ll need, the Wi-Fi works perfect. The view is stunning and even more beautiful than any picture of it. And of course the pool. Just awesome! We decided to spend the first 3 days at the Villa - just going out for a little walk through the beautiful city of Motovun and a restaurant - and it was super nice. We had a beautful and funny evening with the host Ben, we asked him to come over for a wine. We got some more infos about the location and Croatia, which was very interesting and helpful. Kristina and Ben where available for questions via cell phone - but we didn´t had any problems at the Villa, super quiet there, no neighbours, you´ll reach the house with car and have just to walk about 3 minutes. Small kids need to be supervised when they are not able to swim, because the pool is just for swimmers. One of the best stays we ever had in an airbnb-house. Five out of five stars, we will come again!

— Franziska Stadler & Friends, Germany, July 2017

“Villa Angelo is an amazing place to stay! We absolutely loved it’s location in Motovun and the wonderful views from the terrace of the house.”

"Villa Angelo is an amazing place to stay! We absolutely loved it’s location in Motovun and the wonderful views from the terrace of the house. We enjoyed wandering up the cobbled lanes to the top of Motovun to eat at the excellent restaurants, truffles being the order of the day! Kristina, the lovely property manager, contacted us prior to arrival and gave us clear instructions on where to meet her. She was extremely helpful and easily contactable, especially on day one when we needed to find a Dr! Ben was also really quick to answer any questions when we were booking the property. The house is extremely stylish and comfortable with lots of space for everybody and also well stocked with everything we needed and more! Clearly a lot of thought has been put into developing the property. A bottle of excellent local wine, cooled in the fridge on arrival, was very welcome. The swimming pool, steam room and outdoor beds to relax on, plus the pretty garden, were great. There were nice touches, like an fridge by the pool, which were really useful. There are lots of lovely places to visit in the area near Motovun. We hired bikes in the town and also drove into nearby Slovenia for a couple of trips. We visited the coast at Piran (around 1/2 hr) and Lake Bled (around 2 hrs), also took the ferry over to the island of Cres which was a highlight. After 2 weeks we did not want to go home and hope to return soon! Thank you for such a lovely holiday!"

— Lisa McEleny & Family, UK, August 2017

“Where do I begin...Villa Angelo is one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed.”

Where do I begin...Villa Angelo is one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed. The owners have managed to keep the traditional rustic feel of the house but with all the modern things you would ever need, making it the perfect balance. I spent 7 days here with my two daughters & three of the friends. The ages ranged from 50-16. Villa Angelo became home for the week and it was and is truly paradise!!!

— Wendy O'huadhaigh & Family, Ireland, June 2018

“This place is what dreams are made of!”

This place is what dreams are made of! Every morning waking up and looking across the valley feeds your soul! The golden hour lighting and the early morning mist is magical!!! Not to mention the beautiful rustic interior of the villa! 10/10 would recommend to a friend 🧡

— Johannah Lordan & Friends, Ireland, June 2018

"How a Brit fell in love with Motovun and bought the most beautiful house we’ve ever seen..."

Villa Angelo in Croatia’s National Newspaper - Jutarnji.hr

“Spending the last week at your extraordinary villa was a spectacular and revitalising experience.”

Ben, I just wanted to say a big thank you, to you, Kristina and rest of your team. Spending the last week at your extraordinary villa was a spectacular and revitalising experience. The beds are super comfortable, the kitchen was equipped to the smallest detail, the bathrooms spacious and clean, the swimming pool was perfection and living room felt like home. Oh, and Motovun, so beautiful and fun to stroll around. To me and my family this was a flawless vacation, so thank you 🙏

— Daniel Motlis & Family, Israel, August 2019

'‘Perfect house for visiting Istria“

Perfect house for visiting Istria, we were three couples (two with babies) and it was just perfect. It has everything you need for a great vacation with a bunch of friends or if you are big family. Ben was great and really helpful about all the questions we had... everything is perfectly designed and practical only problem is you don’t want to leave the house :) if we get a chance we will visit again.

— Sandin Medjedovic & Friends, Bosnia & Herzegovina, May 2021

“You feel the soul, warmth and perfection”

Fantastic renovation of an old building, very tasteful, magnificent materials in the house (beautiful English taps), beautiful rooms, very well equipped kitchen, washing machine, drying cabinet very convenient, everything present, air conditioning, sauna, beautiful swimming pool super reception by Kristina, permanent support by Kristina and Ben. Perfect reception for questions. You feel the soul, the warmth and perfection of Ben and Kristina to their landlord, Highly recommended!!

— Isabelle & Hans, Belgium, June 2022

“Ben’s place is one of those exceptionally rare finds”

Ben’s place is one of those exceptionally rare finds, perched on a hill of the historic town Motovun, with 360 views of the surrounding Istrian landscape.
The house is lovingly restored (with english cottage charm) and finishes are beautiful and considered.
We have 2 small children under 3 years old, and Ben was quick to offer support, suggestions and advice to help make our stay as comfortable as possible. Kristina was also on hand during our stay to provide practical, local assistance.
Would happily and strongly recommend this villa to families and groups who want to experience magical Motovun!!!

— Tashi Shillingford & family, UK, June 2022

“Clean and beautiful Villa with magnificent infinity pool”

We had a wonderful time at Villa Angelo and everything was top notch! Clean and beautiful Villa with magnificent infinity pool, comfy beds, well equipped kitchen! We would come again!
Town of Motovun was amazing! Old medieval town set on a hill. Please note you should be in pretty good shape and accustomed to walking when visiting this town but once you reach the top (a five minute walk from Villa Angelo) the views are breathtaking and great little konoba’s for a bite to eat! Small shops too! Just charming!

— Patricia Wrotniak & family, US, June 2022

“You will never tire of having breakfast or evening drinks looking out onto the those views”

We had a brilliant time at Villa Angelo. Motovun is a lovely hilltop town with amazing views, in an area full of wineries and olive groves, with easy access to interesting places to visit. The Villa was superb. Lovely old building, nicely restored, and again amazing views down into the valley. You will never tire of having breakfast or evening drinks looking out onto the those views. Ben was great with lots of useful suggestions of what to see, and Kristina always on hand if we needed anything. All perfectly organised and the villa had everything we needed. Best restaurant in Motovun for us was the Konoba Mondo, and out of town the La Parenzana. If into cycling, the nearby other hilltop towns are beautiful for a morning tour, just bring your low ratios. Overall a lovely time and our thanks to Ben and Kristina.

— Sam Hyde & family, UK, August 2022

“Beautiful, peaceful spot that combines historic charm with modern amenities”

Beautiful, peaceful spot that combines historic charm with modern amenities! The pool and garden are absolutely gorgeous — and so is the view out over the green hills, wineries, and olive groves. Ben was an extremely organized and communicative host. We tried many of his local restaurant recommendations, and they were all super. We loved our week in his home and would highly recommend it to others. It’s a great place to relax and unwind by the beautiful hillside pool, as well as a great base for exploring local restaurants, wineries and nearby villages.

— Kathryn Watts & family, Germany, August 2023

“The house was absolutely incredible”

The house was absolutely incredible - amazing location, spacious, comfortable for 2 families and provided with everything we could possibly need (we are two foodie families who cook a lot at home). Loved the pool area so much! The owners recommendations on Istria were also perfect. We really enjoyed every part of our week in Istria and won’t hesitate to recommend your villa to everyone we know.

— Pamela Hacker & family, UK, July 2023