Baffled by the good reviews. This place runs on rules upon rules upon regulations, and the photos are doing heroic work—instead of an idyllic hillside retreat, you get a tired, austere little fiefdom that makes a Holiday Inn look like the Ritz. Worst hotel of my two-week Italy trip (my partner agreed, enthusiastically). In fairness, the view is lovely and the area is peaceful—the hotel just works tirelessly to undo that from the inside.
We arrived after 8 hours of travel to find the restaurant couldn't seat us (reservations required, mentioned nowhere). No snack by the pool either. The choice: pasta, a cheeseburger, or a 10-min walk in the dark to the small tow . €40/day for a second guest, for reasons unknown. Lose a plastic keycard? Charged. One pool towel, must be ferried to and from your room like a sacred relic. Or charged for leaving it anywhere. Poolside food only 12–2:30; pool "closes" at 7pm, before sunset, with cheerful "ten minutes!" warnings never preceded by "hello."
There's an "elegant" dress code, bold for a hotel this inelegant. Breakfast is identical daily and the coffee machine has no business operating in Italy. Flat pillows, polyester comforter (you'll sweat), paper walls, and chairs that screech across tile. Cleaning starts at 8am. Worst sleep of my trip, despite earplugs.
Inflexible on every front. Avoid—plenty of places actually want your business and will try to attract it.
