Giomici Castle

This was a poor experience for me. The castle felt very commercial, and my first impression on entering was 'Vegas.' It seemed more aimed at kids than serious history buffs. Our room was extremely cold, with nowhere near enough heat, so I slept in jumpers. Half board was a mistake. Dinner cost an extra €60, but the 'truffle' pasta was cold and congealed, with no truffle taste and none visible. The buffet starters were two kinds of cold cuts, two cheeses, and cold bread; dessert was a few cold cake slices. Coffee, tea, and water cost extra. At breakfast, one service staff member wore a down jacket and beanie inside the dining room, which made the lack of heating pretty clear. I'd suggest the basic deal if you stay, skipping dinner and going in summer when heating isn't needed. I should've read the other reviews first: they complained about food and heating, and I had the same problems.

We had dinner in four traditional Umbrian courses, and it was outstanding. The dining room was lively, but our room stayed quiet, with no traffic noise to disturb a good night's sleep. The castle has a limited number of rooms, some in the castle and others in nearby buildings. Ours was in the castle, immaculately clean, with a canopy bed and mosquito net, modern bathroom, TV, desk, and antique furniture. From the outdoor terrace, the views are stunning, and climbing the tower gives you a panorama of Umbria. The centuries-old central tower is an awe-inspiring sight. Castello di Giomici is a breathtaking spot on a hill in Umbria, about ten minutes from Valfabbrica. It's easy to reach, though I wouldn't recommend a taxi because of the cost. You can hike around the grounds and relax in the historic atmosphere. Marco and the staff gave exceptional service, and the owner's hospitality was just as commendable. This was easily the best place I stayed on the Cammino di San Francesco. Highly recommended, and I'll definitely return!

Dinner in the Castle was one of the best meals we've had, and breakfast had a great range of pastries and savory and sweet options. The grounds were spectacular, and it was a special surprise that we could walk up to the tower anytime for the beautiful views. Marco was an amazing host, and it was a pleasure meeting him. From check-in to checkout, we couldn't fault the Castle. Our apartment was spacious, clean, and had everything we needed. Watching the sunset from our balcony was pretty special, and the price was unbelievable.

It's a lovely castle turned into a hotel, and breakfast was decent. The €30 dinner felt expensive for just two pasta courses, and they should put in more effort. It was cold in the common area, but they wouldn't light a fire for us. One person said the fire worked perfectly, then another said it was faulty.