Castello di Lispida

We recently visited this place for the second time, after a perfect first visit earlier in the year. The positives - excellent location, beautiful, spacious well maintained grounds perfect for children to be safe and free… plus a small playground. Striking building with tasteful, period decor. Quality furnishings. Very Well equip self catering accommodation (no food available on site which could be an excellent addition). Open fireplace with plenty of wood is a very nice feature. Interesting wine cellar on site, tastings available to book. Ample car parking, & some bikes to hire for free (although not well serviced). The negatives (only apparent on our second visit) - it seems that the hours of operation of the spa, which was the highlight of our visit, are now limited, because the lights are switched off at sunset. In the winter months this is around 16h, which means you get about an hour to use it after check in before it gets too dark and basically unsafe. For a 1 night stay; this is totally unacceptable. We complained and eventually (after about 45 mins) some lights in the pool were turned on… we cannot understand why they would be switched off… there were spot lights on in the spa area itself and at the thermal tub outside, but not at the pool? Some of the jets were also not working and the changing area is freezing & desperately needs a heater on. Plus no spa towels at all (unless you paid €5 per towel!) Really simple things to make a guests stay better (towels, heating and lights…. Surely when you’re paying €180+ per night this should be minimum). There is hand soap provided in the apartments but nothing else. So you need all your own toiletries. I was surprised by this… I’ve stayed at campsites which provide a small body wash complimentary… Also the pillows were really firm and I woke up with a headache, and the children only had 1 each. There were no extra blankets in the closets either. Sadly there was a stink bug and ladybird infestation in our bedroom, the toilet seat was cracked, and the jets in the bath were dreadfully filthy. Finally on check out, we at least expected an apology for the problems we incurred, maybe a “thank you for our repeat business” or a “see you again” but nothing… just took our money and “Goodbye!” I am pained to write this review, because the Castle offers something unique (especially for families because they offer a perfect combination for both parents and children alike, which is a hard balance to strike).

Die Außenanlagen sind ein Traum, die Fahrt zum Schloss ebenfalls, 1 km langer Weg gesäumt von tollen Bäumen. Alles sehr gepflegt. Aber dann, das große Appartement. Abgewohnt, nicht sauber, Spinngewebe unterhalb der Möbel, in der separaten Dusche riecht es schlecht, alles renovierungsbedürftig. Außen im Schwimmbadbereich wachsen in der Dusche Pilze an der Wand, es wird nicht regelmäßig gesäubert. Das Fernsehen eine Katastrophe, es war nicht möglich, Filme zu schauen, alles äußerst langsam in der Eingabe und dann keine Verbindung oder irgendeine andere Fehlermeldung. Am Tag unserer Ankunft war eine Party im Innenhof, ca. 50 Gäste, ein DJ mit Boxen, als wenn ein Stadion unterhalten werden sollte, so laut. Wir fuhren schnell in das nächste Restaurant, um diesen Lärm nicht zu ertragen. Keine Möglichkeit, in der Schlossanlage Wasser zu kaufen, geschweige andere Dinge. Das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis ist vollkommen überzogen, wir haben für 2 Nächte incl. Airnb-Bonus EUR 450 gezahlt. Es ist besser, ein 5 Sterne Hotel zu mieten, dann würde ein besseres Verhältnis zum Geld entstehen. Wir sind total enttäuscht.