Maria Falgoust review 21 Feb 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The region is stunningly beautiful and the hiking is top-notch. Ilaria and Des go above and beyond to
make sure their guests are happy and comfortable. Hardly any tourists are around during the off-season! The food is
exquisite: tasty, perfect proportions and deeply satisfying. Their personal library (books and DVDs) is well-stocked and
varied.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring hiking boots and clothing you don't mind getting muddy. Bring a camera: the landscape is breath-taking.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The entire building is off of the grid, the food is organic and local and it is possible to arrive by public transportation.
THey encouraged us to visit local restaurants and museums. It was the first time I personally used a low wattage hair
dryer and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it works and now hope to get my own. Everything is recycled.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, relaxing, and inspiring! A great place for friends, families and couples.
Bridget Lovell review 20 Apr 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The setting and scenery, the warm hospitality and relaxing, homely atmosphere and the peace and tranquility. Also the fact that Illaria and Derek were always on hand to share their local knowledge and to make helpful suggestions for whatever we wanted to do: walking, sightseeing, cultural visits plus other activities like mountain biking, horse riding etc. We were inspired to tackle walks that we never would have found on our own.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
A perfect base for a family walking holiday - we loved the fact that we could just turn up and Illaria and Derek had lots of good ideas, and provided maps and directions for our walks on arrival, plus a delicious picnic if we needed one. We decided each morning whether we wanted dinner (which we did every night) . Children of all ages are very welcome.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. The delicious food is mostly made on site from locally sourced ingredients and we also had a delicious fish stew that had been made locally. Illaria and Derek have gone to great lengths to limit the impact they make on the environment - in terms of their heating choices, availability of recycling facilities for guests, discouraging guests from changing bedding or towels unnecessarily and growing their own vegetables and keeping hens for eggs.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic retreat - exceptional hospitality in an incredibly beautiful place. We very much hope to return. The weather was not particularly kind to us - but it is such a wonderful place, that it more than made up for the poor weather and we still had a brilliant holiday.
Jo Burnett review 28 Feb 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It is hard to pin-point one thing being the most memorable or exciting part of this holiday: the location, the hotel, the activities, the welcome and the food were all great. We particularly enjoyed the horse-riding and the hiking around the hotel. The surrounding landscape was stunning.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Buy your own water and other drinks, snacks, if you can, and take to the hotel with you. Although the cost of purchasing such items in the hotel is not expensive or unreasonable, you can pick up them up very cheaply in the local supermarkets.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Business was pushed towards local providers;the hotel is completely off-grid; there is a focus on re-cycling and conserving natural habitats.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic holiday. The welcome we received was warm and inviting. Our hosts, Ilaria and Derek, offered useful advice and guidance on where to go and what to do and were good company too. The evening meals were home-cooked and delicious. It is a stunning location - ideal for both relaxing and engaging in some physical and outdoor activities. The room we stayed in was comfortable and nicely furnished. We couldn't have wished for a better week and have brought some lovely memories home with us.
Simone Fiaccavento review 4 Jul 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The setting of the hotel is just idyllic, really in the middle of nature! All the activities were very good and we were in just a little group of 6 people, it felt very privileged. We signed up for the canyoning as well and that was truly exciting and a bit scary. The stargazing just fabulous, never seen so many stars! The food was very good and Ilaria and Derek (the hosts) could not be more helpful. We will definitely go back for more walking.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We had hired our own car and got a discount on the holiday. It gave us the freedom of doing more during the down time and also some independency after the activities. I would decently recommend it.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. All the activities were organised with local companies, some of the meals were as well taken at local restaurants. The hotels has lots of solar power.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really good. We have recommended it to all our friends and we are planning of going back in October for more walking (the parks are stunning!)
Catriona Macnvien review 7 Oct 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole holiday was memorable and exciting, definitely one of the best family holidays we have had. Highlights were swimming in a waterfall and kayaking in a beautiful lake but generally the surroundings and really relaxed hotel made it a great holiday. Ilaria at the hotel made sure we had everything we needed and booked all the activities we wanted as well as having great advice on where to go and what to do.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just turn up and enjoy.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, hotel very aware of its environmental impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fab holiday.
