Gran Sasso 3

Mrs. Cony was always kind and happy to share tips about the area. The room was simple, but it was clean and really warm. Dinner, served in the first-floor dining room, was excellent, with sheep's salami, porcini mushrooms, and more. Breakfast had plenty of both sweet and savory choices. There's also a café with a snack bar and a minimarket downstairs, though I didn't use either.

The food itself was undoubtedly excellent, and the staff were friendly. Still, service was quite slow, they forgot orders, and sometimes didn't know what ingredients were in the dishes they served. I was disappointed by how they handled my request for a vegetarian meal. When I said I don't eat meat, the waiter offered to adapt the same menu as my family, but I was given the same dishes as everyone else and could only eat half of them. This place isn't suitable for vegetarians. The price was in line with the service.

Mrs. Conni was the standout during our two weeks here with full board. German-born and in Italy for over thirty years, she was warm, attentive, and efficient, and looked after every part of the hospitality. She also cooks beautifully. Her cod with chickpeas one evening was unforgettable. Small dogs are allowed in the rooms and restaurant, too. Our triple room had classic fir-wood mountain furnishings, a little creaky but practical, carpeted floors, a roomy bathroom, and a very comfortable semi-panoramic balcony tucked under the roof. It was handy for keeping our mountain gear. The bathroom had no window, and its extractor fan wasn't working. Breakfast offered the usual sweet things, including plain croissants, individual jams and honey, yogurt, cornflakes, and toast, along with savory options like bread, cooked ham, salami, and cheese. The coffee was excellent. Lunch and dinner service was often slow, and the menu became somewhat repetitive. The head chef's absence because of serious, unexpected health problems affected the organization. Even so, the dishes were always excellent, especially the homemade pasta, grilled meats, and the super tomatoes from Mrs. Conni's garden, some weighing over a kilo.

The staff and innkeeper were courteous and helpful, and the traditional food was truly excellent. The building has a bar downstairs, a restaurant on the first floor, and guest rooms above, making it a good base for the park. The rooms are modest and have a cabin-like feel. I slept badly, though. The double bed was made by joining two beds with two slats separated, and it was really uncomfortable. It also felt too warm in bed.