Hotel Castelvecchio - Castel Gandolfo

7.5

room a bit small but the location and view made up for it. Staff were very friendly Make sure you say in advance that you want a/c there was a wedding on during our stay and seems to be a great option for a wedding location

7.4

Beautiful location high above Lago Albano. Nice terraces with excellent view on the top floor, where there was also a small pool. The bar service was quite ad hoc and not up to standards. The staff seemed to be focused only on the large groups, particularly the frequent wedding parties, which also caused quite high noise from time to time.

8.0

Ottima location: camere un po' rumorosette, personale competente. Unica cosa: la colazione è fino alle 9.30, anche la domenica mattina. Vero che poi ti portano qualcosa al bar (caffé e un dolcetto) ma non è la stessa cosa :)

9.7

We had an excellent stay at the hotel Castelvecchio. We had requested a room with a bath and we got it and in general the hotel was perfect! Breakfast was delicious but overcrowded for a Sunday morning and possibly understaffed. We would definitely recommend this hotel to our friends and intend to stay here again.

9.0

Gorgeous view, lovely room, wonderful service. Would go back to Hotel Castelvecchio in a heartbeat.

9.7

All was perfectly

6.0

The room was cheap but actually very small, especially the bathroom. The landscape is beautiful but they do not seem to be willing to spend money on refurbishments. The air conditioning did not work and in december we were actually freezing. We called the reception and they said that in some rooms like the one they gave us the works for the new AC system had not been made yet, so it was central heating which was not working during the night (!) and that it was fully booked and no way to change room. I was wondering: why they gave us that room then? (at least without telling us before! - I even called the reception to ask a good room after the online reservation). I guess that I gave up complaining because I was there to have a nice time and the receptionnist when we arrived was so kind I thought I could just make it and go somewhere else next time

4.5

employees are not helpful at all.

9.3

The view of the lake from our room was spectacular. The roof terrace and garden were wonderfully relaxing. The town of Castel Gandolfo was charming. I definitely plan to stay here again.

7.6

Photos of the room did not match reality. In spite of this, the hotel was nice, the staff was friendly. Dinner in the hotel restaurant was excellent, the waitstaff was attentive. The view of the lake was amazing. The one downside: there was a wedding party that lasted into the wee hours on the terrace outside our room -- difficult to sleep.

10

it is amazing. location and rooms.

6.6

The location is fantastic and Hotel facilities are good and the rooms clean. It is incredibly close to Rome Ciampino Airport with a petrol station on the way! However, the staff are unfriendly and unhelpful. In terms of food at the hotel, you can only eat off a set menu (which although is good value) you may not want to eat at lunch and in the evening! You can walk into the village but if you are disabled or elderly it is a little bit too far so this needs to be borne in mind when choosing this hotel.

1.6

I have sent a longer email explaining that the rooms were so awful that we left the hotel. They were shabby, scruffy and in need of major refurbishment. The bathroom in one of the two rooms we booked was so cramped you could not have used the shower. Staff told us all the rooms were like this. We left.

8.0

Beautiful Hotel, good rate quality/price. Good accomodation to stay in Rome quietness (about half an hour to centre Rome) also if it is necessary a car. Rooms a lot old.

3.9

Hotel bit of a hotspotch, difficult to find way around. No indoor lounge area of weather bad. Access to both swimming pools difficult as you needed to go through function rooms in both cases. Hotel definately in need of refurbishment. Expensive, not up to 4* standard.

7.8

l'hotel è in ottima posizione sul lago a Castelgandolfo e a pochissimi passi dal centro del paese, la vista è splendida sia dalle camere che dal ristorante principale dove viene servita la colazione; l'unico neo sono le camere che sono assai vecchiotte e che per essere un vero e proprio 4 stelle andrebbero completamente rinnovate, altra piccolezza da segnalare è che la piscina ha degli orari un pò strani tipo che alle 17, anche in estate, chiude. Il servizio in generale è buono anche se alcuni impiegati potrebbero essere un pò più disponibili.

7.5

The hotel seems mainly interested in catering for weddings but that seemed to be the case for Castel Gandolfo as a whole really. It's an old building so no AC and small rooms. The atmosphere was pretty snooty but I think that's part of the charm. It's old school Italian and the setting is stunning. The dinner was a seemingly inflexible set menu only. Expensive when the wife just wants salad and chips! I'd go again though but I don't know why!

8.4

I have paid 59€ in April 2008. Very good price for a 4 stars Hotel, but I belive is better to think it as a 3 stars Hotel. The view of the lake is very impressive, there is a good parking e a swimming pool, but the rooms are little and not so beautiful. The restaurant have a good quality but you can find other cheaper with same quality in the surrounding

7.6

Once we found it, the staff were very nice, the location and view was just amazing, breakfast very good for Italy and if we had had time then we woudl have stayed longer.

9.5

The hotel has wonderful views over Lake Albano. We had a room with two windows opening over the lake - breathtaking! The rooms are furnished in an old-fashioned but luxurious style. Breakfast was limited and not as good as most hotels of this type which we have stayed in all over Italy for years. However the service was good and all the staff we encountered during our 5 day stay were friendly and helpful. We would stay again, mainly for those great views.

9.2

Only stayed one night before catching flight home (only 10 mins from Ciampino)but thoroughly enjoyed stay. Hotel cannot be faulted for position, cleanliness, and quality of food\service. Yes it is a little 'old fashioned' but that is part of it's charm. We would say however that the outside areas are a little neglected - tables, sunbeds - that sort of thing, which was a little disappointing.

7.0

booked for one night and so wonderfull place We decided to stay 1 night more. But the service provided is under our standard for the rate!

7.8

The only thing that is 4-star about Hotel Castelvecchio is the view and that is spectacular (if you are lakeside)! 4-star hotels don't hand you the TV remote and an air-conditioner remote when you check in and make you go get them at the last minute and bring them down from your room, even if you were not told you were supposed to, and check them in prior to check-out. I also wonder about their clientelle, since (even though we booked months in advance) they treated us like criminals until they had had our passports for a few hours, saying they would give them back in the morning (our departure for U.S. date), if that is what they felt like. The dining room appointments and decor were impressive, but the food and service were mediocre. Instead of being sure we had what we preferred, the waiter just brought us what he felt like, since we are not fluent (recognize most of the food names, but not all) in Italian. It did not matter. The food was much inferior to what we were used to from Tuscany and Rome anyway. The morning breakfast was limited and unimaginative. The room has a wall-unit air-conditioner, as opposed to central air and no internet service for guests. The physical facility without the view would be rated 3-stars by most in my opinion. But, take a 3-star building, 2 or 3-star service and add a 5-star view and what do you have? I'm not sure. I would stay there again, but eat somewhere else. The service level can be tolerated by adjusting your expectations and not staying there the night before international travel. dan@danoconnor.com // Dan O'Connor, Travel Writer

5.2

the relationship between price /quality bad... very expensive for the services done (room poor, bathroom poor, not caperts, service rooms**)... Staff ok. La relación precio-calidad fatal... servicio de hotel** y precio****... Se salva el desayuno, que tampoco es algo especial... simple. El personal correcto.

8.3

Unfortunately rec'd no help nor request to help with bags to room. Simply directed to elevator. Otherwise stay was pleasant and view of lago Albano was magnificant. Roms need a bit of updating but were clean and comfortable. Good value for the price in a beautiful location.

10

Castelvecchio is very beautiful and the staff very friendly. All the floors in rooms, halls and steps are marble. The atmosphere is very Italian. The view from our room overlooking Laka Albano was wonderful. We arrived very late and had to leave very early for the airport, but the staff was very helpful with all our luggage and questions about the airport. Its a good place to stay if you need FCO, its only 30 km away. Everything was so quiet that I felt like we were the only 4 persons in the hotel. I would definately stay there again.

7.8

I strongly recommend that you offer incoming guests arriving at Ciampino airport a better alternative than the taxis, especially at night, when I was charged 65 Euro for a 10-KM ride. That experience definitely affected my early impression of the hotel and surrounding area.

9.8

We enjoyed our night in this lovely hotel in its beautiful situation above Lago Albano. It would be good to have time to explore this area at greater leisure.The a la carte menu offered to residents was excellent in quality and of outstanding value. Also very convenient for a morning flight from Ciampino

6.8

Castelvecchio is in a fabulous position with superb views over the lake. The public rooms are very impressive and the guest evening meal was great value, both in content and service. Our only problem was with our room which was definately not 4 star standard. Clean but small and basic. Bathroom cramped - a large person would have difficulty in using the toilet - some damage to fittings and towels thin. Notices regarding theft of hangers, lighting stoves etc rather dragonian and only one chair. We went in Oct and the hotel was obviously not very busy so we wondered if this was the general standard. A great place to visit but check your room first!

8.4

lovely old hotel in beautiful spot. Views fantastic well situated. Food could be better.

10

perfect ending for Roman holiday

6.1

Whoever said in previous comments that the hotel pays more attention to their wedding affairs than their guests were right. We were told lunch and dinner at this hotel would not be available the next day due to their number of weddings. The receptionist at the desk did not give me the type of room I requested and had to show a copy of my request to get the proper room. Also the rooms were as small as closets...you couldn't open anything(!) without hitting the bed. The view was lovely and the balcony was nice but unkempt. It was, however, in good proximity to the Pope's Summer Palace, and given the shortage of parking, that was a good thing. We did happen to be there on a Sunday that the Pope had an audience so I suppose that made it all worthwhile, but we actually wouldn't have known that He would be there except for one very helpful lady at the desk who gave us all sorts of info. The men at the desk were not forthcoming with any info and we had to ask for anything we wanted to know.

7.2

We enjoyed our stay in the Castelvecchio - its only about a ten minute walk from the little town and everything was okay, although the rooms are a bit small. But we could recomend the hotel.

10

Great property and staff. Maria Theresa and Frencesco were very helpful informing us on Weddings on Saturday evening. Our suite was above the main dinning room and we DID NOT have any noise problems. In fact the wedding parties helped to make the stay more fun by providing an enriching experience into real Italian family celebrations. We will stay at Castelvecchio again.

8.7

A quite beautiful and "chic" hotel with a splendid view on the lack. The Personel has been really nice and helpfull. The only weakness we found was the size of the room and the bathroom (verry little shower), comparing to the prices. But overall, it is an excellent good address if you want to escape a couple of nights to Roma.

6.3

Wonderful situation for this nice hotel overlooking the Albano lake. We had a nice junior suite with view on the lake although furniture was a bit old-fashionned and bathroom very simple for this kind of room (very small shower and towels like dish-clothes...). The bad point is for services : small pool on the roof without space for rest around and opened only 6 or 7 hours a day. No room-service or snack available between meals hours. No terrace at the restaurant or the bar although a wonderful area is available overlooking the lake shared between a parking and some tables and chairs without connexion to the bar : you must pick-up your coffee yourself at the bar and then go to the terrace one floor down ! Surprising in such a hotel...

7.8

The pool has no steps and no indication of depth - so take a chance. The evening meal is well served and presented - pity about breakfast. Location - need a car or walk if you are fit. Town difficult to find but hotel weel signposted once there.

6.5

the reception staff were more interested in the frequent wedding parties rather than resident guests. The noise level from these parties was high.

7.1

good scenery, but rather expensive per night and quite hard to get to. but a beautiful getaway, with good food deals for people staying there. breakfast was just about average.

9.8

Only down side was marriage parties taking over the hotel. We were then treated like 2nd class citizens. We weren't allowed on any of the balconies!!!

8.1

Fabulous setting, and wonderful views. The staff were friendly and helpful, and made us feel very welcome. If I have a criticism, it is that there wasn't much information available in the hotel about the local area or Rome, which was a little frustrating. The rooms are different to those you would find in an English 4 star hotel, but clean, perfectly functional, and probably typical of the sort of room found in a warm climate, ie no carpet, and minimal soft furnishings. The village is only a short walk away, and has some good restaurants, if you tire of the good value residents menu in the hotel restaurant. I would recommend the hotel without a doubt.

6.2

I had visited you before for lunch three years ago and have wanted to stay for a special visit such as this one for my retirement with my brother. These comments are not to complain but to give you, I hope, valuable feedback. I was disappointed because it was not as professional as I had hoped. Your explanatory noted in the English translations in the rooms were not good and I would willingly vet them for you in future (for no fee!) I wanted a room with twin beds in but it was not possible on the booking form to make that clear and the information did not let me see if it was possible. In the event we were allocated a room with a double bed but when I asked to move we were given a room with a double bed and a single pull out bed. It was comfortable but not quite the ambiance I was looking for. The plug in the basin did not work and we had to ask for the towels for the second person. The service was quick and good but this was not the level of detail I had expected. The hours for the swimming pool should be on the web site as I had hoped to use it but your hours do not support an early morning swim before breakfast, nor on arrival after a Roman traffic jam. We did enjoy our stay but for me it just lacked the detail and ambiance I was hoping for. I hope you find this useful for your development programme. I am happy to discuss it further if you wish. You have a beautiful hotel and for a little attention to detail it could be even better. Robert C Hart

3.8

A beautiful setting overlooking the Lake, but when you cannot sleep due to so much party noise our markings are very low. Small tired rooms and not that clean. The breakfast was terrible.

9.8

Quality of the food was excellent at a price nobody could beat for the touristic menu. Breakfast was also good and the fresh air from the lake made our night sleep just great. Would recommand that hotel anytime.

10

Castelvecchio was the last stop on a ten day holiday in Italy - and what an ending to a truly wonderful holiday. The staff are welcoming, the hotel is clean and best of all, the surroundings are amazing -we all had our very own "room with a view" overlooking the lake. We would HIGHLY recommend this hotel if you are thinking of visiting Rome and don't want to be in the centre of town, but within easy travelling distance.

7.8

Lovely hotel and the staff were very friendly and helpful inparticular one member of staff who spoke fluent english and who helped us immensely. I was unaware of the extremely hilly area surrounding the hotel - it is not suitable for anyone elderly or the terribly unfit!

9.7

Location was just outside the old town - too far for an elderly person to walk, but fine for others. Views from hotel rooms and public rooms were spectacular over the lake and hills - in fact the website didn't do this aspect justice! Nearby town of Castel Gandolfo was charming. We had trouble with the air conditioning in our room, but our companions did not have this problem. Hotel staff was exceptionally gracious and helpful. Only about 40 minutes drive from Fiumicino airport - and a good relaxing (and romantic) place to stay prior to flight home. Our only complaint was that the breakfast area with its nice buffet and great view was too hot in the morning - so we just opened the windows ourselves! All in all, I highly recommend this hotel - great price/value ratio.

5.8

The service before our stay was good, warning us per email that there were two weddings going on in the weekend we stayed there and that there could be some noise. That was no problem for us, but they didn't mention on forehand that for the same reason we practically couldn't use the public facilities, like twe swimming pool (the pool being one of the reasons why we chose this hotel!). This turned out to be the situation when we arrived and were welcomed at the reception not too heartly, I must say. I think they should have told on forehand and reduce the price in those situations, because the facilities that are included in the price are not available. The atmosphere is not too personal. However, the location of the hotel is really great and the breakfast was very o.k. as well.

9.6

Beautiful view from room and restaurant over the lake, quiet, good food, easy walk into town centre (actualy nearer than the map might lead you to believe). Pity the indoor swimming pool isn't used. Very steep driveway was fine for us but could be a problem for some.

9.5

Absolutely loved it. Singular disappointment was that we were staying only one night, before moving on to other parts of Italy. Next time we return to Rome, will be basing ourselves there again, without a doubt, exploring the region.

9.5

A wonderful location and a superb hotel providing excellent service.