Relais I Piastroni Residence

We were upgraded to a spacious, modern room with a balcony facing the thermal pool. The hotel sits in a lovely, peaceful area. We didn't pay to access the spa, with its thermal pool, sauna, and other facilities, but the regular pool beside the apartments was free. Breakfast was served buffet-style with staff handing over whatever you pointed out, an adapted setup during Covid. There were plenty of sweets, plus the usual ham, cheese, and eggs. The coffee was excellent and made to order. Everyone was kind and helpful. I'd definitely recommend it.

The staff on duty were helpful and accommodating, and one woman at the wellness center was amazing. She was doing everything there, from reception to massages and facial treatments. But for our June 2-4, 2022 long weekend, they were sold out and seemed unprepared. The air conditioning didn't work, and opening the windows in the cooler evenings let in mosquitoes. It's a beautiful place, but poorly maintained and in need of good management. The wellness center itself was lovely but neglected, with just that one person working. The food wasn't memorable either. We ate there one night and went to restaurants elsewhere for the rest of the stay.

I left with a bad impression because the extra costs were hidden. Our Booking.com rate included pool access, but on arrival we learned the main pool shown in the photos wasn't available to us, only a smaller one with very cold water. Staff said swimming caps were required, supposedly for Covid-19 rules, and gave us two. The next day, we were surprised by a 4 euro charge for them. The minibar had no prices listed either, and after checkout we found a small Moretti can had cost 4 euros. The hotel was okay for a four-star place, but the quality didn't match the price.

The only real annoyance was the Wi-Fi, which worked in just one spot. Otherwise, the hotel had a lovely shabby-chic feel, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We spent a day at the spa and had an aroma massage that was among the most relaxing we've ever had. The food was delicious, and the local tips they gave us came in handy. The rest of the stay was top notch.