CORTONA RESORT & SPA

A hotel that is appreciated much more in the summer season, thanks also to the pool. Few common areas for the spa and restaurant. And now a note to the owners: although they accept dogs, they do not allow you to take them to breakfast (this is the serious part) or dinner. Everyone makes their own choices, but it should be clarified at the time of booking, and you shouldn't have to repeat like a mantra to people at the reception "they can't enter due to HACCP regulations..." HACCP absolutely does not forbid it, it is a choice of the property that today is out of step with European dynamics, and since I can't have breakfast, I feel cheated.

The first thing to note is that this establishment is neither 4 star, nor luxury, being deficient in many of the aspects of a hotel/resort that would merit such a description. Even the approach to the hotel is via a scruffy unmade road. The deluxe room we stayed in - Topazio - was perfectly OK with a very comfortable bed, though the bathroom was very cramped - three-star standard overall. The pools were just about ok, as were the steam and sauna rooms. As a spa, not in the least luxurious. We didn’t avail ourselves of any of the very expensive treatments. The restaurant La Corte again was pleasant, with a decent range items on the menu. Wines were priced very much at a ‘four star luxury’ level ! The breakfast offering was very pastry oriented, but acceptable. The location means you have to have your own transport, or use the 20 euros a pop shuttle service to either the town or railway station. Usually, this would be in one of the two old Jaguars, which was a nice touch, though one of them is crying out for a new head-lining. There is nothing else in the neighbourhood that is reachable on foot, besides which it was way too hot. What you can rely on and what certainly was worthy of the four star luxury label, was the staff, in particular Giulia and Andrea, who were very friendly and efficient and who went out of their way to be helpful - bravissimo ! To conclude, this is a place with great potential, but the owners need to smarten it up - and hold on to their staff !

A sadly disappointing stay. We booked a deluxe room and what we were shown was nothing like a deluxe. We opted to upgrade to a junior suite and this still was not luxurious in any way. The shower was broken and leaked, the bed uncomfortable and the room was dingy and dark. Old faded robes and paper thin slippers. The spa is very run down and smells, most of it was closed and there were no towels available (all in the laundry) so you had to bring your own. Breakfast is stale and all uncovered and the restaurant offered meals but a lot was unavailable. We were told they offered a shuttle to the town, which most luxury resorts offer, but we were presented with a bill for the trips plus one we never made at the end of our stay. Upon asking what they were they told us they had advised on the charges upon arrival. They definitely did not and other guests said the same. They even accused us of lying about this. Sadly I feel the place is just very tired and run down, with undertrained staff that are trying but with no management on site, it doesn’t work. I would say this is at best a 2 star resort. Avoid!