Hotel Portole - Portole

When booking Hotel Portole we knew that the hotel was 7 kms outside Cortona but were surprised to find that it was also some 2,500 feet higher. As a result we found it colder than expected (in October) and could only recommend it during the Summer. We were the only guests inthe hotel and received a very warm welvcome and on-going personal attention from Franco, the hotelier. We also enjoyed some very good meals ciooked by his wife and enjoyed the very friendly family atmosphere. The views and forest scenery were spectacular and Hotel Portole would make an ideal base for a walking/cycling holiday.

I selected this hotel originally for it's appealing rates, and exceptional guest feedback. After staying with the wonderful Lunghi family on this beautiful mountain top, I wouldn't have preferred anywhere in Cortona, regardless of the price. The Lunghis made me feel like a guest in their home. After a long day of travelling to get there From Toronto to Florence and then by car to Cortona, I was treated to a beautiful meal, very good house wine made by a friend of Franco's and was invited to roast chestnuts in the ever-burning fireplace with the family. The fireplace is so large that it actually has two wooden benches right inside of it near to the fire. I had intended to eat in a different place every night, but the food was so good here and the hospitality so warm, that I ate 3 delicious and very reasonably priced Tuscan dinners and a beautiful lunch here, enjoyed Mirella's marvellous baking and endless cappuccinos and espressos. Franco is very knowledgeable about the area, and even took me in his own car for a morning tour of local interests I never could have found without his kind attentiveness. Another day, one of his daughters took me with her to Florence by train, writing out several places of interest, and places to eat for me. I had read reviews that indicated concern with the 7 km drive into Cortona, but I found it a beautiful scenic jaunt, and just far enough up the mountain to provide a serene country remoteness. Wild boars which we tried to catch glimpses of at night, had been coming up right below the hotel's viewing area. Franco is the third generation Lunghi innkeeper at this hotel, and it shows in the sincere old time hospitality that lives through him.

A very nice hotel for the price. The rooms were spacious and quiet. The restaurant downstairs was also good and reasonably priced. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I would stay there again.

This hotel was below our expectations. Oldish furniture and poor decoration. The bath room did not correspond to normal standard. However the welcome at the reception was nice.

Nice enough room. A bit remote! But we darn near froze that night as it was the end of September and the site is quite high. We were told that "it's impossible in Italy to turn on the heat before the proper season." They really need to solve that problem.

We enjoyed our stay at Portole and it's convenience to Cortona and the surrounding area. The room was quite acceptable and reasonably priced...and the staff and owners couldn't have been more accomodating and helpful! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Welcoming hotel and friendly staff. Very pleasant

There was nothing "elegant" about the room furnishings. The room I had (for a single female) was extremely small and contained only a built-in desk top, a single bed, 2 built-in side shelves and a wardrobe not big enough to hold my garment bag. There was barely enough room for my luggage. The shower was right in the middle of the bathroom, between the toilet, bidet, and sink; only a shower curtain contained the water. On the plus side, the room was very clean and quite (even though it faced the road). Breakfast included yogurt, cereals, coffee, rolls, croissants, cheese, meats and juice. Dinner, offering several choices, was very good and the dining room elegant. If you don't expect much in a room, want to drive 7 kilometers on winding mountain roads above Cortona, then this is the place for you!

The good: beautiful mountain setting, very accomodating and friendly owner, better than average food in the dining room, and a really cute "neighborhood" dog who likes to play fetch with the guests. The bad: remote location, no bathtub with a shower which drains directly on the bathroom floor, only the owner speaks English, and the owner's dogs running around the dining room [at one point we heard an actual dogfight in the kitchen!].

We only stopped one night but thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was excellent and the staff could not have been more helpful and friendly. The location is superb and we do not think your photographs do justice to the location or the views. We would definitely stay there again and highly recommend it

Very friendly owner. Beautiful setting. It was quiet, hardly any other people around which was nice. Did not expect the hotel to be so far above , but it worked well for us.

Interesting place with lots of open, outdoor space. Good place to relax. Nice restaurant.

My wife and I stayed for two nights on our honeymoon. The hotel location and staff could not have been better. The hotel owner drove us into town both mornings and was extremely knowledgable about the area.