Hotel Pizzalto

It's an older hotel, but it's kept to a high standard and was clean. The ski rental team deserves a mention: patient and welcoming, with excellent equipment. A fine example of how to do it.

The rooms are roomy and have balconies, but their upkeep could be better. There are no outlets or bedside tables beside the beds, and the very old TV only picks up Rai/Mediaset. By contrast, the restaurant is well kept, with a generous breakfast buffet and very good lunch and dinner. Staff were helpful. The location is excellent, opposite the lifts and beside a very efficient ski rental shop.

What makes Hotel Pizzalto special is how welcoming and attentive the staff are. They were kind, cheerful, and available throughout our stay, and made us feel listened to and cared for. The rooms were spacious and very clean. There's a direct connection to the ski slopes, so you can step outside into the mountain setting without dealing with travel or wasted time. After skiing, we unwound in the spa, which has a sauna, Turkish bath, and whirlpool. The restaurant was another highlight, with refined presentation and authentic flavors. Breakfast deserves a mention too, especially the eggs and bacon prepared to order. The entertainment team ran activities for adults and children during the day and evening. They were always around but never intrusive.

Roccaraso is a great location. The hotel itself could use a major structural renovation, especially at these prices. My five stars are for the restaurant service: the maître d', waiters, and kitchen showed an elegance and professionalism that's rare these days. And special thanks to the very kind gentleman who carried the bags.