Relais San Desiderio

That enchanting view over the hills was a bright spot. The woman who greeted guests was also lovely, always welcoming with a smile, and the website photographer deserves credit too. But the services didn’t match what was advertised. There’s no air conditioning in the rooms in the main building, and even with open windows and a portable fan, resting or spending time inside was difficult. Cleanliness was lacking from the moment we walked in, particularly in the shared kitchen. Breakfast was poor in both quality and choice, apart from the moka pot.

The owner is so kind and helpful, and I’d come back. I stayed three nights at Relais San Desiderio and noticed its lovely garden and pool. The place has an elegant feel and plenty of 18th- and 19th-century character. The large, comfortable bathroom could use a more up-to-date shower. My room was spacious and clean, though the bed was uncomfortable enough to need replacing, and the bedside lamp could do with replacement too. The shared kitchen was well stocked with cookware, dishes, glasses, and even a dishwasher. I used it to heat up food I’d bought for dinner.

After years of travel, this was my worst stay. The long night was absolute hell: the bed was narrow, and our “Uncle Aleandro” room had sun all afternoon and no ventilation. The advertised air conditioning wasn’t working, and we told the guest receptionist as soon as we arrived. First it was blamed on dead batteries in the remote, then on a sudden breakdown. After we pleaded, all we got was a small, authentic 1970s desk fan that did no good. We were practically zombies at breakfast, so I’ll leave that there. I can see why some people might overlook other issues for the reasonable rate, but the property is poorly maintained. The courtyard is used both for parking and as a guest area, and the loungers get shifted around with every arrival and departure. There’s a storage area under the aisles facing the living area, filled with various unused equipment. The pool is above ground. The grass around the courtyard isn’t cut, which may be why mosquitoes are around constantly at all hours. I’m amazed to see positive reviews of this Bed & Breakfast.

The rooms are private, clean, and have their own bathrooms, and there are lots of shared areas too, including a big garden and a spacious rooftop terrace for spending time together. We had a very relaxing stay at Relais San Desiderio. The terrace view is fantastic, though sadly we didn’t see the Alps as the owner had said we would. Breakfast was good, with homemade products of medium quality. The staff were super friendly, and the owner was helpful right away and ready to meet our needs. If we stay in the area again, this will be our first choice.