International luxury travel network Virtuoso announced the winners of its highly anticipated 2017 Best of the Best Awards and we are delighted to announce that Relais & Chateaux Palazzo Seneca in Norcia, Italy was named ‘Best Hotel of the Year’. The family owned Palazzo Seneca is set in a converted sixteenth century palace with 24 rooms and was the first hotel to reopen following the earthquake that hit the region almost a year ago.

One of the owners, Federico Bianconi said “This is a dream come true for us and for Norcia. The solidarity of many friends, the strength of our employees, the sense of social responsibility have enabled us to overcome yet another challenge. This has been a proof of love for this land and for the art of hospitality which my family has been handed down from generation to generation since 1850. Awards such as this can only give us more determination and courage to continue our "mission" of ambassadors of Norcia and its unique natural and culinary heritage.”