10/10 Excellent
Catherine L.
1 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely retreat !
It’s a lovely place at the top of a quiet hilltop village with stunning views and beautiful, quirky decor. It’s recently been fully renovated, including steel beams and floors that made us feel safer in an old stone building.
Parking is ample, but a 5 minute walk away, and there is a loading area closer, just 10 or 15 meters from the front door. From both the parking lot and the loading area, access is along steep cobblestone pedestrian streets with steps, so don’t expect to pull your car right up to the door. Also, the place is on 3 levels and the stairs to the lofts and the downstairs living area are extremely steep, more like ladders. (The kitchen, eating area, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms are all on the main level, requiring no stairs aside from the steps in the pedestrian street.)
The drive up to the village is challenging if you’re in a larger car or aren’t used to narrow roads with lots of hairpin turns, blind corners, and steep drop-offs. SP 16 is the easiest road up, especially coming from the south (La Spezia), but SP 16 is also manageable coming from the east (closest exit on the A 15). Via Montebuono is more difficult—posted 25% grade and 20 kpm speed limit and not wide enough for 2 cars to pass in long stretches.
We were initially a bit concerned that the host required a cash deposit on check-in, but this was returned in full when we checked out. Camilla was communicative, friendly and flexible.
Catherine L.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
