La Pampa Relais & Spa

The pool is an ideal place to unwind, have a Spritz, and leave the day’s stress behind. This is a very cozy, nice hotel, and everyone is kind and welcoming. There are thoughtful details all around that give the place a special feel. They make very good wine at their own winery. The restaurant food is also really good, with dishes that feel different from the usual Italian fare. Many of the ingredients come from their own garden, and they’re organic and ecological.

The rooms are playful but still tasteful. Ours had a music theme and a wardrobe shaped like a cello. Staff were lovely throughout, and the food was delicious, with much of it coming from the gardens and small farm. It’s a little haven, with a beautiful setting, several small pools, and a spa. Definitely worth the trip.

We came for a night away at a spa to relax, and that’s what we got. The setting is lovely, with a comfortable main dining room looking out over the property, picture-perfect spa and dining areas, and music we enjoyed in both. We had a good stay, and the staff were genuinely nice and professional, but it felt expensive for what was included. We might come back in summer, when the pools could add more value. We did enjoy their wine. The welcome was warm: a man and a woman greeted us professionally and helpfully, and check-in was easy. Our room looked just like the online pictures. It was a charming, artistic retreat with whimsical details inspired by and made from Mother Earth. The bed was comfortable enough, though a soft topper would have helped. The spa was fantastic and spotless, with a lovely sauna, steam room, cold shower, and indoor soaking pool. Our massages were top notch, and the spa staff were friendly and professional. Dinner was delicious, but the servings were smaller than usual, especially the pasta, which surprised me since pasta isn’t very expensive. The first and third courses were also strangely similar. The dinner board didn’t include any wine, not even a single glass, which seemed odd at a winery where you might expect them to promote a tasting. We didn’t find that out until the bill the next morning. We drank quite a bit and ordered a bottle, so we weren’t expecting all of it to be included, but thought we’d at least get a glass each with dinner. At higher-end spas and wineries we’ve visited, including Mastroberdino, dinner came with a full tasting. We spent about the same there for the spa, room, and dinner, but got unlimited wine tasting and dessert included. Here, dessert was separate, €12 each, and nowhere near worth that price. We hadn’t realized it wasn’t included until the next day. It wasn’t a big deal for us, but it added to the sense that the stay wasn’t as good a value as elsewhere. We also asked for wine and Apertivo. We each got a glass, two pieces of cheese, and one piece of salmi. The portions seemed a little small and unlike other Italian Apertiv experiences, especially since we kept drinking and spent over €85 on wine.

The hotel’s room arrangements were unreliable. We booked a double room, but another guest was assigned to the same suite, so we ended up with a roommate. The divider between the rooms was paper-thin, and we could hear each other whisper. If privacy, intimacy, or romance matters to you, save your money and stay somewhere else. In reply to the owner: we were not moved. It’s a lovely space for one booking or one group, but sharing it with another hotel guest was incredibly awkward and uncomfortable.