After seeing the website and reading other traveller reviews my expectations were high for this hotel, and although aesthetically it was as beautiful as advertised, I encountered several small disappointments which lowered my overall opinion of the hotel. On arrival, the staff were very friendly. The room we were allocated was not as grand as those shown on the website, but considering we had booked through last minute we had expected to be given a small room so this was not an issue. Whilst some staff were happy to help with enquiries we came across two or three individuals who were downright rude.

As mentioned by some other guests (both in reviews and whilst actually at the hotel) there is a major problem with the transport to and from the local train station. Although this is only about 2 km away, there is no recognised footpath (although we did manage to find our way on foot one morning after missing the bus) and the staff were unaccommodating if when we found ourselves stuck at the station one night after missing the last bus back to the hotel.

The castle is beautiful and very remote, but I would imagine that if you are going to the area you are planning to visit Rome and as such I would recommend you stay in the city.

We booked a room at the Castello as part of our honeymoon in the Rome area hoping to have a nice quiet relaxing break and have to say that as far as being a Hotel our experience was far less than what we expected.

From the moment we arrived to the moment we left we were treated as an inconvenience.

We enquired prior to arriving in Rome about transport to and from the Hotel and had been informed that a taxi fare from the main railway station in Rome to the Castello would be approx 20 Euros it actually came to 49 Euros which would reduce depending upon the day, time of travel, number of passengers and baggage.

In spite of contacting the castello prior to our arrival concerning travel arrangements, we were only informed upon arrival that the pool and leisure facilities were under renovation and as such not available for us to use. Also because the castello had been booked for a wedding party the main restaurant was not available and that dinner would be served in another part of the castle, in a deserted function hall where we had to then go in search of a member of staff.

Throughout the duration of our stay various areas of the castle were 'off limits' due to other events having been booked and we found that we only had free access to the roof terrace.

As a consequence of several events taking place during our stay the staff were always too busy with other concerns to help and at times outride rude.

Unless you are booking this place for your own event we would strongly recommend staying elsewhere.

Sorry fellow travelers - but this one seems to have lost direction... - The issues:

Pool not open (29 Coutside..) - No lounge chairs in garden at all to sit and relax ...

Gourmet restaurant closed 2 nights out of three for weddings (mind you there was alternative seating in another room )

Spa area closed

Our room was below ground - No daylight (220Euro/night booked as deluxe room...) - No minibar ...

Satelite Tv - Yes .. but CNN & Italian Channels only ...

Food in Restuarant very mediocre & expensive (we aussumed that due to large wedding taking place chefs were preocupied...)

Staff helpfull - most of the time .. - the Suttle Bus runs on fixed hours to the Station only (we assumed it would go further on - in their brocheure it says so...) but can be convinced to be more flexible with some Euros extra...

We knew it was not near the centre - but understimated travel dtime to sights using Public transport - so about 1 1/2 hours net to St.Peter ....

So in essence actually why go there ?? - Location is nice yes ... but what else ? -

Upside. The staff were friendly and helpfull. The grounds and castle itself were very nice and the Hotel food was all very posh and upmarket (except the portions were that of a very small child)

Downside was the location and the shuttle bus which came only every 2 and half hours at pre arranged times. If you were outside those times there were no buses or taxi ranks and walking was not really an option (especially at night). Expect to pay between 20 to 30 Euro's from the centre of Rome to the hotel.

Standard room was all very nice, if not a little small.