JJW63
Google
We had just spent a hectic week in Venice with the crowds. We designed our holiday to have some rest after that and found Asolo and the Villa Cipriani Hotel. We booked it through British Airways so we got just their basic rooms as that was what was available (more on this later).|From the moment we turned the corner and started up the hill we knew we were in for something special as this little town is exquisitely beautiful. You can understand what draws so many people to it and yet it is not crowded there are few tourists' here. We arrived and a porter handled our luggage and we checked in to our rooms. They may have been the entry level rooms but my room in the main building was largish with two windows overlooking the town. The room was well appointed with beautiful furniture and a very high ceiling. The bathroom was decorated in stylish tiles a nice departure from the drab faux marble of so many hotel bathrooms. All is luxury in this exquisite small hotel, the room amenities were superb with writing paper, slippers, all the bathroom toiletries you could expect etc. The room was airconditioned but each morning I would throw open my huge windows and greet the Dolomite mountains in the distance and listen to the bird song, especially the European Cuckoos who sang at dawn and dusk so beautifully. It was just lovely.|After checking in I made my way down to the lobby which is small and has a sort of salon off to one side and a restaurant and bar which is a copy of Harry's Bar in Venice as the Cipriani's started this hotel. The place seems to have a lot of very attentive and caring staff way more than the rooms available.|I went out into the beautiful garden which starts outside the Salon and Restaurant and cascades down a hill to a restaurant on the next terrace and then a pool and spa on the bottom terrace. We sat down at a beautifully appointed table and ordered drinks. After which I drank in the view. I sighed it was like some kind of Pissaro or Claude Lorraine painting a perspective of hundreds of hills with beautiful Italian Villas and churches that went on as far as you could see. It was one of the most exquisite sights I have ever contemplated. Our drinks were delivered and tall and delicious served not only with the usual olives, crisps and nuts which feature in Italian luxury hotels but also little toasted ham and cheese sandwiches which we found a lovely touch. Needless to say we had more drinks as we just couldnt leave such a beautiful view or such sublime service. I have stayed at the Savoy, the Plaza, the St Regis, the Ritz, the Danielli in Venice, Raffles in Singapore and can say that the service and quality here for such a small hotel is on par or better than these hotels. The people who have written critical reviews of this property must have impossible standards or indeed not have stayed here.|We dined at the poolside restaurant one sunny afternoon and again had that sublime view to look at the food and drink offering was extensive. We shared a lovely pizza to start with and then I had the fish dish which was beautifully cooked followed by a very yummy cheesecake. Again I just dont understand other reviews of the pool terrace restaurant as the service was efficient, friendly and timely and they genuinely cared about our stay and offered advice on things to visit in Asolo and nearby.|One day it was raining very heavy so I stayed in my room and we had room service for lunch the pasta with duck ragu was again so yummy and lovely and warm on a rainy day.|Breakfast was served in the restaurant and on the garden terrace. As the garden was so beautiful we sat there each morning and there was an extensive array of fruit, pastries and breads and cold meats and cereals and then a menu where you could order hot items cooked as you liked. I loved the pancakes which really were crepes and small but just perfect with the very excellent coffee they served.|I had rather a lot of laundry to do after 10 days in Venice and the hotel arranged it and it didnt cost much at all.|All of the staff without exception were very friendly and each day wanted to know what we were doing and asked us about Australia. They all knew their jobs very well. I especially loved the Room Attendant she came each day to check that everything was okay with my room which I thought was a very nice touch.|This Hotel would be a perfect base to explore the Veneto and to go to Padua, Verona etc as none of that is far away. But is also a perfect place to just chill in the most beautiful of surroundings in a very historic place, Indeed the building you sleep in was once owned by Robert and Elizabeth Browning.|On my last morning I woke early said hello to the Dolomite Mountains sat in bed reading and having my first coffee listening to the bird song and the coming and going of joggers and cyclists making their way to town and I felt very very sad that I was leaving this most magical of places and this most sublime of Hotels. I will come back it was so nice I need to experience it again 5 days was just not enough.
