Le Marne Relais: Piemonte hotel with rooms decorated by illustrators and cartoonists

Guido Martinetti and Federico Grom, founders of the Grom gelato chain, retained the Mura Mura agricultural estate in Costigliole d'Asti after selling Grom to Unilever in 2015. On the estate, Martinetti and his wife Martina transformed two farmhouses into Le Marne Relais, a hospitality complex featuring artist-decorated rooms. The Dimora degli Artisti includes eight rooms personalized by illustrators and cartoonists, mostly from Turin and Milan. Artists include Michelangelo Rossino (fossil excavation on walls), Alessandra Scandella (curtains overlooking the valley), Paolo d'Altan and Paolo Rui (wallpaper), Anna Godeassi (direct wall painting), French Carlomagno (narrative murals), Beppe Giacobbe (floor work referencing Venice), and Umberto Grati (cloud concept). The project was conceived during the pandemic, with artists working remotely via video and photos. The relais also features a semi-Olympic pool with vineyard views and a mural by Valerio Berruti, a personal gift from Martinetti to his wife. The property plans no further art initiatives for now.