La Tavola Rotonda

The pool was still closed, but it was April and the weather was a bit cold. I liked the place and the area around it, and I’d choose it again. I’d read bad reviews about room cleanliness, but I can’t complain about my own experience: my room was cleaned every day and I got fresh towels each time. Breakfast was good, and the staff there were helpful. I had dinner once too, and the food and service were both excellent.

The thing I find hardest to accept is how little consideration was shown for a proper night’s sleep. We were put in a room directly above a very loud disco party without any warning, even though I’d told them we planned to leave very early, before breakfast. We managed a brief nap in the early evening, then at 10 p.m. the noise and vibrations came at full volume. It went on until 1 a.m., and complaining didn’t help. We didn’t get the sleep we expected and had to change our plans for the next day. Even a refund wouldn’t undo the discomfort caused by that lack of care. Breakfast was another concern: food was laid out on large tables with lots of flies landing on it. Flies touch all sorts of rotten and decomposing matter, including manure, and then the food, which is a serious health issue. The shower drain was almost completely blocked, so even with a weak stream of water, I was standing in dirty water after a minute. We also tried the overpriced spa. The water was lukewarm, nowhere near hot enough, the sauna was the same, and the shower drain there was almost completely blocked too.

We had a very comfortable stay in a beautiful room with lots of space. Dinner was extraordinary, and the staff were warm, welcoming, and helpful throughout.

The internet was poor, and the air conditioning controls were a downside. Otherwise, it’s a 12th-century castle turned into a hotel, with large rooms, all the amenities, and a refrigerator. The restaurant is good.