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Back to Castello Rosso
Dear In Italy,
IT WAS MARVELOUS!!! We found that Piedmont is a series of discoveries -- Cuneo, for example, was a fantastic city and really not covered by any of the guidebooks that I looked at. Saluzzo -- fantastic -- we had so much fun, we never went to Torino!
Catello Rosso could not have been more pleasant or accommodating. It is a beautiful place in tremendous surroundings. The dinner at Castello R. was simply fabulous!
Let me put some thoughts together to share -- but in short, we were tremendously pleased and I personally am very grateful for your wonderful service and assistance!!
Bellisimo!!!
Ellie
Hi David,
We had an eventful trip to Italy and enjoyed most of it. However, one of our disappointments was Castello Rosso---so much so that we tried to leave after one night. The place is way over rated and certainly did not meet our expectations. First of all, it was very difficult to find with your directions. WE had to stop at least four times to ask people from Torino to Saluzzo where it was. This was very frustrating, as most people in non-tourist environments did not speak English! Next, the place was isolated, the rooms were small, antiquated, and there was no restaurant available. They cater to weddings, of which they were having that Saturday, and the restaurant was closed. The restaurant is also closed on Sundays. Therefore, we had to drive at least 30 minutes to get to Cuneo or Saluzzo to find a decent restaurant. The hotel staff was pleasant, but were not willing to let us check out early without a penalty. The breakfast is a minimalist breakfast, at best--very low end. The place is dark inside and not welcoming. WE would NEVER go back, nor recommend it.
We drove over an hour to visit a winery in Alba--Tunata Corretta, and had both an excellent tour and the best meal of our lives at their on-the-property restaurant. We also enjoyed the Barolo area.
There is the feedback. We highly regret having paid what we did for Castello Rosso.
Sincerely,
Sharlene W.
Hi -
Thank you for your great services... here are our thoughts.
Castello Rosso was one of the most amazing experience we've ever had. The service unparalleled and the setting amazing. We'd recommend going to the Marchessi winery for tasting - lovely.
Thank you for everything - we'd recommend your site in a minute.
Denise L.
Cynthia,
Thank you for following up. We had a great time at both locations. It was amazing how easy it was to check in and how well everything was organized. We even had upgraded rooms at both locations.
The group at Castello Rosso were very helpful and friendly. Due to some technical difficulties at the airport we arrived rather late and the restaurant was full, rather then turn us away tired and hungry they set up a romantic table for two outside with a candle and a view of the villages (there were even fireworks in the distance). We couldn't have asked for more. And the food! On Sunday they recommended an AgriTurismo (Holiday Farm) in Manta for lunch. I don't think they had seen many Americans but they welcomed us and our broken Italian with open arms. We enjoyed a full three hours of food and smiles. Go hungry and be prepared to sit outside with the locals under the trees drinking homemade wine with a dog at your feet. There was no menu, you just eat what everyone else eats, but every dish was amazing. It is up a great windy road four lights from the Castello Rosso in Manta. (I will look up the name when I get home and send it to you) That lunch made the trip. I think they do dinners too. One of the best parts was the quick drive to Barolo to visit the Enoteccas (wine tasting bars). We were able to buy some great local wines, however you need to know some Italian to get around out there (and a good map).
I also want to thank you for getting the car for us. Again a perfectly smooth transaction with no issues at all and no hidden charges like most car rentals in Italy. I was even able to upgrade the car for $5 Euro a day. Driving was definitely the way to go. We took one train ride from Venice to Milan and we could have driven much quicker. Thanks for the great advice it saved us a lot of headaches.
Oddly enough I was sitting at dinner with another wedding guest talking about our trips. I was telling her about our great hotels and how InItaly helped me get it all set up, she laughed and said she used you as well and her trip was perfect too! Looks like you are catching on.
Again thanks for your help and I will definitely keep passing on your name.
Ciao!
Kelly K.
Hello,
This hotel is centered in the Piedmont region much of which is not yet known to American tourists. However, the landscape is absolutely gorgeous and it is ripe for mountain bike riding. (Bring your own or rent in Turin). There are some fabulous antique dealers enroute to Cuneo (the largest city in the Province)and of course grottos and churches are ever present. The hotel itself is thrust out of an old castle. The pool is a delight surrounded by greenery and birds. (It was HOT and the pool was a welcome relief). The grounds are lovely and well maintained. The food was very good particularly the mushroom pasta. The cheese, locally made yogurt and breads are low in calories and added no additional lbs!!
The rooms are modest, but have air-conditioning and all needed amenities. The staff is superior and the service outstanding.
I would absolutely return, but guests need to bring their own fun. There are few if any places open in the village after 6pm. There is no shopping and few historic landmarks. (relatively speaking for Italy) If you need a break away from too much stress, too much work and too tight a time schedule, this could be the place for you if you like to hike, bike, and indulge in a pristine environment (prior to tourism).
Kathleen B.
Cynthia,
I am so happy I discovered your company on the internet. After the great service we received from your company and the wonderful experience we had in the Piemonte mountain region you have become my primary Italy travel agency! The property we stayed at, Castella Rosso, was exactly what you advertised and more. The service, personnel, accommodations, and restaurant were absolutely marvelous. The only way I can describe the atmosphere at the Castella Rosso is magical!
Thank you again for offering specialty properties that are both charming and picturesque. I'm looking forward to booking my next Italy trip through your company next year!
Sincerely,
Susan K.
I enjoyed staying at the Castello Rosso for both its accomModations and its geographic location within Italy. The Castello itself was beautifully situated atop a small hill behind a small village (Costigliole Saluzzo). It was quiet and the staff were very friendly and attentive without being intrusive in any way. The Castello accommodates only a small amount of people; I felt as though I were staying in someone's wonderful home. The recently renovated interior of the rooms was inviting, elegant and relaxing. Our particular room's window opened up to a view of the Castello grounds and the distant plain of the area extending out from the hills.
We had dinner in the Castello's dining room several times; it was lovely and the food was delicious! The dining room, with its vaulted wooden beamed ceiling, is elegant, but relaxed, and has only four or five tables. Again the staff were friendly and offered expert suggestions about the food and wine, much of which were specific to the region. For some of our mid-day meals, on the other hand, we would make the short walk down to the village in the morning to pick up some picnic fare, make the walk back up to the Castello (remember it is up on a small hill - makes a nice little workout), and then have a little picnic in the Castello's tranquil yard.
There are many services offered by the Castello's wellness center. I went only once, for a Shiatsu massage, but would have enjoyed fully indulging myself with other therapies as well. When I went for the massage, I enjoyed speaking briefly with the masseuse about the Shiatsu technique and her learning and training (fortunately she spoke some English as my Italian is only rudimentary). The holistic environment made the experience feel very warm and beneficial, like I was truly taking time to care for myself. There is also a lovely swimming pool outside which I made use of on a couple of sunny afternoons.
When we were not enjoying the Castello, we were out exploring the various nearby areas. We drove to and then explored by foot the town of Saluzzo. Medieval and other historic sites abound there and all over, as usual per Europe, and one could really do some particular planning for site-seeing. Ours was more casual, however, and we enjoyed mostly driving through the countryside and finding a restaurant to delight our taste-buds for dinner. This included one day of driving east through some flat farm country before reaching the hills of the Langhe region. A good map will show that there are many "green" roads good for wonderful siteseeing of the Italian landscape, which includes of course the many vineyards of the region (Mondavi, Barolo etc.).
Another day we drove west into the Valle Varaita and enjoyed the road all the way up to the French/Italian border, which offered a spectacular view west towards the French Alps. On the way back we picked up a French party of three who were on foot; apparently there are foot paths from a national park on the France side from which groups of trekkers were making their way towards lodging in Chianale, a small Italian town in the Valle. In any case, these trekkers were a little tuckered out and appreciated a "lift" down to Chianale. Later we stopped in Sampeyre for a scrumptious meal prepared by a wonderful family restaurant chef.
On another day we drove south to Cuneo, a lovely, fairly large town (the capital of the "Provincia Granda") with a Champs Elysees type boulevard full of shops, cafes etc. Then we went on farther south to the more lush green hills bordering the maritime alps of France.
Claudia F.