Villa Zuccari Montefalco

We arrived at this hotel to visit Spello. Well, as for the location, it's good. Positive notes: kindness of the reception staff, cleanliness of the rooms, the floor. But for the rest, senseless and rejected. In the middle of Umbria, accustomed to farmhouses surrounded by greenery and to private and quiet hotels, we arrived at this place very far from Umbrian characteristics. Certainly very clean and chic, on the surface (here everything depends on one's own meaning of luxury, for some it could be beautiful). We arrive at a parking lot that is too small for the number of customers; in fact, we wait patiently for someone to leave in order to park. From the front desk, they tell us there are no alternatives. We cross a gravel path, we notice the view totally covered by a hedge of oleanders (like those on the Adriatic coast) and stairs, without seeing anyone, with a considerable amount of effort. But they open the door for us. We check in and ask for confirmation of the phone call made a few hours earlier regarding the lack of availability for the hotel restaurant. At that point, there is space. But they had suggested a nearby partner restaurant where we had already booked, yet the receptionist present at that moment tells us she doesn't know that suggested restaurant and that the partner one was another. Anyway, she invites us to take a look at the menu for Ferragosto at a cost of 60 euros per person: on a folded A4 sheet, we read prosciutto and melon, chef's cannelloni, peppers and sausage, guinea fowl thigh with potatoes. In Umbria? 60 euros? On August 15th with 38 degrees? Good thing we hadn't yet canceled the other place (where we had a great time, the Coccorone). They accompany us to the room. Superior. 235 euros per night. A certainly non-standard window overlooking the woods. A gate of an old house. Not a place to hang wet towels or a swimsuit. Yes, because there is a pool with 12 umbrellas and 24 lounge chairs for a facility that has many more guests. We ask to change rooms, they show us a deluxe one for 40 euros more. We accept. Oh no, the third bed cannot be moved, they tell us. For that day, the person who can authorize a change is no longer present. Every decision postponed to the following day. Poor breakfast: cheap food (photo of the typically Umbrian cheese, like the one at the Ibis hotel between Amsterdam and Rotterdam), no sense of local character. We find the tables occupied except for one free one that needs to be set, and we ask if it is possible to sit there; the waitress replies that she 'is hurrying'. Large room with somewhat amusing details like the vintage hair dryer. To conclude, a place that sells itself for what it is not, that does not reflect the beauty of the area, a hodgepodge of random things that probably, maybe eventually, would be more at home somewhere else.

A fabulous place to stay! A very pretty hotel inside and out. We had a lovely, spacious room with a very nice bathroom.The breakfasts were scrumptious, with lots of variety. The people at the front desk were incredibly helpful and kind. Montefalco is a lovely place to stay with very good restaurants. It's very near Bevagna, a gem with flower-lined streets.

The park like setting is stunning. Be sure to book a room overlooking the pool and gardens. Service at both the front desk and breakfast/lunch room couldn’t be more gentile and thoughtful. Great location to enjoy day trips to Gubbio, Assisi, Spoleto and other lovely Umbrian hilltop towns. Once back from touring enjoy an Aperol on the terrace before dinner. And the village of Montefalco, an easy 10 minute drive away, has several fabulous restaurants. Locando Teatro is one of several not to be missed. Could not have chosen a better location for our week in Umbria. Mille grazie Piero and team.