Castello di Casalborgone - Luxury Castle

The view is fabulous, and the food left me speechless. We loved the very personal service, too. Our concierges were kind and amazing, and helped with everything we asked for or needed. This is our favorite place, so much more than a 5 stars hotel.

The views and setting are lovely, and the place looks great in photos, almost like sleeping in a museum. Staff were friendly and breakfast was very good. But the ChiChi room was awful for sleep. The insulation was poor, so we heard kitchen noise until 1am, then reception and lobby staff from 7am. We barely got five hours. We complained during the night and asked the kitchen cleaners to keep it down, but it seemed like nobody cared. Dinner was bland and only average, nowhere near worth the €70 menu. There’s no outdoor pool, which feels essential in summer. Great for pictures, but I wouldn’t recommend staying overnight unless you can get a quiet room on an upper floor, perhaps.

We appreciated the lack of TVs and music. It made the stay especially relaxing for us. The dinner was outstanding, and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. We also liked the WhatsApp group for assistance, with useful restaurant and wine tasting tips. The house is full of old paintings, striking colors, high ceilings, and antique objects. Rooms are unusual, with furniture from different times and places. There isn’t one consistent style, but that’s fine. We were the only guests, and the stay at Castello Casalborgone was peaceful and wonderful. That said, there are infrastructure issues for a 5-star luxury hotel at the usual website price of around 450 euros. We got a good discount, so it still felt okay. We know luxury places, including the New York Peninsula, Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, and Montreux Palace. A safe in the room is a must in this category. Leaving valuables downstairs by the entrance is too personal a matter to ask of guests. A minibar is needed too, especially when no food or drinks are allowed in the room and room service brings nothing. The restrictions feel excessive, and guests at these prices can be expected to take reasonable care of the rooms. The dress rules at dinner are also too much. Men need jackets and no jeans, women are expected to wear dresses, and T-shirts, sneakers, and shorts are banned at all times. That doesn’t feel right in an 1800 Piedmontese village. Of course people shouldn’t wear ripped jeans or flip-flops in that setting, but these rules really need a rethink.

I felt completely at ease here, surrounded by peace, comfort, and elegance. The Castle is beautifully decorated, like a museum you can live in, and the setting and views are stunning. The food was delicious, the people kind, and the service remarkable. A place to visit at least once, and as often as you can. I highly recommend it.