La Gemma Rossa

The only letdown was the food nearby: around Martiniana Po, we couldn’t find trattorias, osterias, or restaurants serving high-quality food. Old Saluzzo is worth a visit, though, and the area has plenty of natural spots within roughly 15-30 km, including Pian del Re below Monviso, Balma Boves, and Colle dell'Agnolo, which was spectacular to ride to by motorbike. The woman who greeted us was lovely and gave us tips on places to see. Our room had soaps, water, coffee pods and an automatic machine, tea, herbal tea, a kettle, pastries, and biscuits. There’s also a shared kitchen for storing food in the fridge and cooking on the stove. The place felt welcoming, was very clean, and towels were changed often.

It’s above a pizzeria, but the double glazing helped, and by midnight everything had quieted down. The rooms themselves felt new, spotless, and thoughtfully organized, and the staff were friendly and helpful. There isn’t breakfast, but we had coffee pods and a machine, a teapot with tea and herbal teas, biscuits, and water in the room. It’s a great base for exploring the lovely valleys around Cuneo.

The owners aren’t there, so you need to call when you arrive. The lady even came in at 4:30 in the morning to make breakfast because we had an early start. There’s plenty of parking inside, and the rooms have air conditioning. I had a great stay.

The bathroom was nicely equipped, and the room was clean and cozy. It’s a shame the breakfast room by the entrance isn’t available for breakfast.