Podere Bello

Lunch was a great experience.

The pool was the best part, calm and relaxing, and it really makes the place special. We were welcomed kindly and shown to our room, though it felt a little cramped. Its rustic style fit the rest of the property. Breakfast was limited, unfortunately, and the lovely countryside views come with lots of insects that should be kept away from the dining area. Dinner portions were generous, but the food was disappointing, especially the pasta, which was clearly undercooked.

The owner was kind, and the garden and pool are lovely. We stayed two nights, though the room had a strange smell despite having air conditioning, and the shower door was broken. It felt more like a B&B than an agriturismo, since the good food and traditional products we expected weren't there. Breakfast was only a few packaged snacks, three on one day and two on the first, plus some toast left untouched in a basket. The included dinner wasn't typical either: prosciutto and melon, pasta with tomato sauce, and grilled chicken, things we could honestly have made at home.

We booked through Smartbox, and after reading earlier reviews we weren't expecting much. But this place really doesn't deserve all those negative comments. The rooms are nice and quiet, the staff are friendly, breakfast is simple but good, and the restaurant serves excellent food. It's not a luxury property, sure, but it's not the disaster some people described either. GET RID OF THE EVIL! Be more human!