Bella la Vita Inn is an award-winning B&B with a lively local flair, à la Tuscany.
In 2010, when Matt and Lisal Roberts stumbled on the property located at 582 New Haven Road SE in Floyd, it was only a half-completed shell of a house, abandoned for years. But it spoke to them in a Mediterranean accent.
Though Lisal’s experience in the Bed & Breakfast industry had been accumulated while living on the Carolina coast, both she and Matt fell in love with the rich mountain ambiance and local culture of Floyd when they came to visit. After a two-year search throughout the county, they knew the moment they saw it that the charming, derelict building was the place for them.
Here was a Tuscan beauty, waiting for them to discover her treasures. Nestled on a country road amid farms and native Floyd families, it was distinctly unlike anything in the surrounding area. The juxtaposition inspired the Inn’s catch phrase, “Experience the Unexpected”. They leapt into action, purchased the property, and created a business plan.

When all the paperwork was settled, they began round-the-clock efforts to renovate the beautiful bare bones of the empty structure. With family, friends, and professionals to help, they learned to tackle every job, including the landscaping and gardening.
Over a surprisingly short amount of time, Bella morphed into a beautiful home full of heart. A place of simple, yet rare beauty, and an extraordinary Bed & Breakfast.
Just two days before FloydFest 2011, the initial phases of construction and renovation were complete. Bella opened and business exploded almost overnight. Matt and Lisal learned quickly how to follow the rhythms of the guests and their needs; trusting their experience, as well as their intuitive sense of loving hospitality.
Lisal is a published author, poet, and artist with a lifetime of experience in the hospitality and travel industry. Before moving to Floyd, she had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, both as an innkeeper and an inn-sitter. During that time, both Lisal and Matt took note of all the ways in which each inn was different and all the ways they were the same. They not only learned what guests did and didn’t like, they also learned what they themselves did and didn’t like. They incorporated all these observations into the creation of Bella la Vita.
Matthew is a retired law enforcement officer who has grown into a highly skilled maintenance man. There is nothing he won’t try to tackle on his own. Matt and Lisal are both dedicated to Bella la Vita Inn, and her success, as a team. They skillfully interchange hats as the situation warrants, ready for cleaning, cooking, welcoming guests, keeping the grounds, or troubleshooting a problem.
Matt and Lisal were inspired by Frances Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Just as in the timeless tale, Bella had been an unpolished gem that begged care and attention. While renovating her, no surface was left untouched or uncared for. One of the Inn’s most popular rooms is now called Bramasole (to long for the sun), in honor of the inspiration that came from Mayes’ story.
Each room is dressed in carefully chosen décor touched with whimsical accents. Each bedroom has both a private bath and balcony or deck, affording a space of intimate privacy from the rest of the Inn. Original art adorns both the interior and the grounds. Artists who have stayed at Bella la Vita have even gifted some of their artwork to the Inn!
A growing, eclectic art collection in a variety of media can be found throughout. Bella also houses an extensive library and an eight-hundred square-foot common area, complete with a piano and fireplace.
The grounds are lovingly landscaped, like a small Shangri La; alive with local wildlife and birdsong. Private corners abound, both inside and out, for writing, reflection, savoring a glass of wine, or just relaxing. Bella’s guests can tuck away if they wish or join the camaraderie in the common room and gardens.

And what would a Bed & Breakfast be without the breakfast? Visitors can expect a full, home-cooked breakfast every morning, and many have commented that it was the best breakfast they’d ever had! Also, delicious homemade baked goods, coffee, tea, and other beverages are available around the clock. Fresh ingredients are sourced locally with great care to support small businesses and to provide variety. Beautiful, organic eggs are delivered weekly from a lovely neighboring farm. Often during the harvest season, friends, neighbors, and guests drop by with fresh produce that is then lovingly incorporated into the next breakfast.
Lisal and Matt embrace the challenge to create unforgettable meals from classic breakfast traditions. Simple, yet full of flair and creativity, they have a developed a rich repertoire that accommodates a variety of menus and dietary needs. “An innkeeper’s work is never done,” says Lisal. “One must love it wholly or walk away. A guest can tell instantly when someone loves what they do.”
Matt and Lisal both believe that, as innkeepers, they set the tone for everything a guest might experience. From the beginning, it was the shared vision of both Lisal and Matt to create a space of genuine hospitality and generosity of spirit. They believed that Bella la Vita was meant to be shared with people who would come to Floyd from all over the world.
Over the last nine years, Bella la Vita has grown more and more beautiful. The Inn is adorned with fountains, flowers, and the peace of her pastoral surroundings. There is now a labyrinth, created from lovingly gathered stones, on the grounds for public and private use. Lisal, a Veriditas certified labyrinth facilitator and builder, has helped educate community members and guests at the Inn on labyrinth history and use. She has helped plan and build several labyrinths in Floyd County. She hopes one day to create a “labyrinth trail” for interested visitors to follow through the Floyd landscape.
Matt and Lisal have a deep and abiding love for the Floyd community, and for the home they have brought to life here. They consider themselves ambassadors for Floyd, both at home and wherever they travel. They are happy to steer their guests to the many amazing resources to be found in Floyd, and they gladly make a point of personally experiencing everything Floyd has to offer so they can give a true picture of what guests can expect. Experience the unexpected… in beautiful Floyd, Virginia!

For more information or to book a stay, visit online at www.bellalavitainn.com. Bella can also be found on Facebook. Queries may also be emailed to bellalavitainn@live.com. Folks can also call 540.421.0433 or 540.745.2541. Bella La Vita Inn • 582 New Haven Rd SE, Floyd, VA Lisal and Matt Roberts • www.bellalavitainn.com bellalavitainn@live.com • 540.421.0433 or 540.745.2541