Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Luxury at Hotel Ciasa Soleil, Italy
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Ciasa Soleil – Italy. Honestly, Is It Worth It? (Spoiler: Mostly Yes)
Okay, so I’ve just dragged myself back from Hotel Ciasa Soleil in Italy. And, honestly? I need a vacation from my vacation. Not because it was bad, absolutely not. But because, well, there's a lot to unpack. So, pull up a chair, grab a (virtual) espresso, and let’s dive into this review. Forget the polished brochure. This is the real deal, warts and all.
The Good Stuff (Spoiler Alert: There's a lot)
Firstly, let's talk location. Forget the tourist traps. Ciasa Soleil is nestled in… well, I’m not going to give away the exact address (that's what TripAdvisor is for!), but let's just say it’s breathtaking. Think mountains. Think crisp, clean air. Think views that make you actually gasp. And that’s before you've even stepped inside.
Accessibility: Right off the bat, they seemed pretty serious. Elevator was a lifesaver, especially after those pasta-fueled hikes (more on that later). And it's worth a big shout out that they offer facilities for disabled guests - they're not just ticking boxes, they seem to care. So if you have accessibility needs, check them out.
Now, for the absolute cherry on top: The Spa. Oh, the spa! I walked into the sauna, and immediately forgot my worries. Then, the pool with a view took me away, I mean, the views. It was like swimming in a postcard. I got a massage. I highly recommend a massage. Seriously, book one immediately. After my Body scrub and Body wrap, I felt like a… well, a slightly wrinkly but very happy human. They had a Steamroom too, which I might have accidentally fallen asleep in. So, you know, proceed with caution, or embrace the nap.
And let’s talk about the food. I’m a bit of a self-confessed food snob, which meant I was initially skeptical. But, wow. The Breakfast [buffet] was epic – get there early for the best pastries! They offered Freshly squeezed orange juice (vital, people, vital!). You could also order room service, in my experience, excellent at 2 AM when the jet lag hit. They have a Vegetarian restaurant (which I, as a reluctant carnivore, appreciated), plus a Restaurant with a menu. They have an Asian cuisine in restaurant! Also they have a Snack bar for those moments when you just need a cheeky panini. The Poolside bar was dangerous. In all the best ways. Happy hour was…well, let's just say I may have had more than one. All in all, truly exceptional.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Pandemic (Because, sadly, We Have To)
Okay, look, this place takes safety seriously. They're not just saying they're clean; they’re practically performing open-heart surgery on the place every day. I saw Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff wore masks. There was Hand sanitizer everywhere. They had Anti-viral cleaning products. And because I am paranoid, I actually peeked into the tiny bin in my room: Rooms sanitized between stays. I slept soundly.
You’ll find Cashless payment service. The menus were all digital. I'm going to assume they're properly trained in Safety protocol but it was a bit too subtle for me.
Rooms (Where We Actually Slept)
My room? Well, it was perfect. Air conditioning that worked like a dream. Blackout curtains (essential for my napping needs). A comfy bed with an Extra long bed. And the most incredible view. Seriously, waking up to that every morning? Divine. They also kept Free bottled water stocked – a small touch that I appreciated. I did have an Air conditioning in my room, as well as Alarm clock, and Bathroom phone. I liked that they offered Additional toilet. And although I didn’t use it, it’s a nice touch to offer Interconnecting room(s) available. There was Free Wi-Fi, of course (and it was lightning fast!). Everything you need.
The 'Meh' Stuff (Because Life Isn't Perfect)
Alright, let’s get real. Nothing is perfect. My only minor criticism is that they have a Pets allowed unavailable, because I wished I can bring my fluffy.
Things to Do (Beyond Glorious Napping)
This is where the area shines. They offered Bicycle parking. Car park [free of charge]. They have a Car park [on-site] as well!
The Verdict: Should You Go?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. If you need to escape, to unwind, to treat yourself, this is the place. Yes, it's not the cheapest place in Italy, but in terms of value for money, the experience, to me, was a worthwhile investment.
Escape to Paradise: Urban-Est Hotel, Goyang-si's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly polished travel brochure. This is real – Hotel Ciasa Soleil in Badia, Italy, seen through the bleary, slightly-under-caffeinated eyes of yours truly. Buckle up, because things are about to get… interesting.
Hotel Ciasa Soleil Badia: A Journey Through My Italian Chaos
Day 1: Arrival and the "OMG, I Don't Understand Anything" Phase
- Morning (or what passes for morning after a transatlantic flight): Land in Venice. Let the chaos begin! Airport security? A delightful symphony of grunts and hand gestures, because, you guessed it, my rudimentary Italian barely cuts it. Find the train. Get on the wrong train. Wander around like a lost husky puppy (a VERY jetlagged husky puppy). Finally, finally, make it to the Dolomites. The scenery? Breathtaking. Literally. My lungs, still adjusting to the altitude, are screaming.
- Afternoon: Arrive in Badia and the Hotel Ciasa Soleil. It looks like a postcard, all cozy wood and flower boxes overflowing with vibrant blooms. The air smells like pine and something I can only describe as "Alpine magic." The reception? A sweet, slightly frazzled woman named Maria. My Italian? Continues to fail me spectacularly. I mumble something about "camera" (camera? Why? I've no idea!), point vaguely at the sky, and hope for the best. Miraculously, she understands, gives me a room with a balcony, and I'm pretty sure I see her suppress a smile.
- Evening: The balcony. Oh, the balcony. I could weep. The view? Layers upon layers of mountains, bathed in the golden hour light. This is what I came for. This is what makes the sleep deprivation, the language blunders, the questionable airport coffee, all worth it. Dinner in the hotel restaurant – traditional Ladin cuisine (the local dialect and specialty of the region). Attempt to order "something with meat" and end up with… I have NO idea. Delicious? Absolutely. Understandable? Not a chance. I end the day utterly overwhelmed, utterly enchanted, and already slightly in love with this place.
Day 2: The Hike That (Almost) Broke Me, and the Pasta That Mended My Soul
- Morning: Breakfast! The buffet is ridiculous. Cheese, cured meats, fresh bread, pastries… I'm pretty sure I consumed my body weight in carbs before 9 am. Now, for the big hike. Maria, bless her heart, suggested a beginner-friendly trail. Beginner-friendly my foot! This thing went straight up, and my legs are screaming. I am panting, sweating, and questioning every life choice that led me to this moment. There are actual goats that look at me pityingly as they leap effortlessly over rocks.
- Afternoon: I survived the hike. My knees are wobbling, my face is lobster-red, but I conquered the mountain! (Kind of. I'm pretty sure I resembled a beached whale at several points.) The view from the top? Unparalleled. Worth the pain? Absolutely. Back at the hotel, I practically collapse into a chair in the lobby. I need sustenance. I need…pasta.
- Late Afternoon / Early Evening: The hotel restaurant. Again. This time, I opt for the pasta with wild mushrooms. Pure bliss. It’s so good it makes me want to cry. Seriously, I am basically shoveling pasta into my mouth and muttering, "Mama mia!" between bites of bread. I think I just found my happy place. The waiter, who looks like he's seen it all, just smiles indulgently. After dinner, I drag myself to the cozy hotel bar and order a local digestif, which burns like fire but, miraculously, seems to un-knot all my aching muscles. Sleep comes easy.
Day 3: The Spa (And My Existential Crisis with a Bathrobe)
- Morning: The hotel spa! Pure decadence. I spend an hour in the sauna (I may or may not have fallen asleep in the sauna… oops), then in the jacuzzi, staring out at the mountains. It's just…perfect. It's the ultimate escape from the "OMG, I don't understand anything" reality that has been my life for the last two days.
- Afternoon: A massage. Bliss. I'm so relaxed, I'm pretty sure I could melt into the massage table. As the masseuse kneads the knots from my shoulders, I start to question everything. My life? My career? My ability to properly operate a coffee machine? Am I actually happy? Am I living the life I was meant to live? (Note: I am in a bathrobe at this point, so this may be a little dramatic.)
- Evening: Back to the balcony, with a glass of local wine (the "something with meat" from the first night did, indeed, show up on day 2, as "goulash"). The sunset is even more stunning than yesterday. My existential crisis fades away. I am here. I am Italian. I am slightly sunburned, have pasta sauce on my shirt, and don't understand a word anyone is saying. But I am happy.
Day 4: The Little Things and Saying Goodbye
- Morning: A walk. A slow, gentle walk through the village of Badia. I discover a tiny bakery, the aroma of freshly baked bread drawing me in like a moth to a flame. I purchase a pain au chocolat that's still warm, and savor every crumb. These small moments, these simple pleasures, are what I’ll take with me. The views were one thing, the food was sublime, but it's the little interactions, the shared smiles with strangers, the way the sun hits the mountains at a certain angle, that make a trip like this truly unforgettable.
- Afternoon: Packing. This is usually my least favorite part about travel, but here, it’s filled with the bitter-sweet realization that I’ll be saying goodbye to the Hotel Ciasa Soleil. I feel genuine affection for the place, for the people who work there, and the memories I made. While the hotel is objectively beautiful and filled with wonderful amenities, it's the feeling of comfort, the warm welcome, and the freedom to just be, that makes it truly special.
- Evening: Dinner, one last time. I order the dish with the mushrooms one last time. The waiter gives me a wink. I drink a toast to the Dolomites, to the pasta, and to the wonderfully messy, utterly human experience that was my time in Badia.
The Verdict: Hotel Ciasa Soleil? Absolutely. Badia? Absolutely. Italy? Absolutely. Go. Just go. Be prepared to be slightly bewildered, utterly charmed, and forever changed. Just don't forget to bring some phrasebook. And definitely don't forget a camera (even if, like me, you have no idea how to use it). I'll never forget the taste of the pasta, or the beauty of the views, but most of all, I'll never forget the overwhelming feeling of joy that, for a few amazing days, came over me there.
P.S. I think Maria liked me. She winked at me and told me, in a mixture of Italian and broken English, "You come back." I think I will.
Escape to Paradise: TTR Skyview Hotel's Unbelievable Dalat Views!
Okay, so Hotel Ciasa Soleil. Is it *really* as amazing as the pictures? Because, let's be honest, Instagram lies.
What kind of rooms are available? And, like, are they worth the price tag?
Tell me about the food! Because Italian food is life. And I have high standards.
**Anecdote Alert!** One night, I ordered a dish called "Tagliatelle al Ragù di Cinghiale" – wild boar ragu. Now, I'm not usually one for "wild" things, but the server (a ridiculously charming Italian man named Marco, by the way) insisted. "Signora, you *must* try it! Is like…heaven." He wasn't wrong. It was the best pasta I've ever had in my LIFE. I almost licked the plate clean (and I may have…shhh!). Marco and I bonded over that pasta, and it's now a core memory. So, yeah, the food is worth it. Just maybe pace yourself…or don't. No judgment here.
What's there to *do* besides eat and drink? Because... I'm not just a pig, you know! (Kinda.)
Is the staff friendly? Because a rude hotel staff can ruin an entire trip.
Any downsides? Be honest!
**Rant Alert!** I also found one weird thing. They had this…this *thing*…in the lobby. A giant, stuffed, fluffy…*alpaca*. And it just sat there. Staring. Judging? I don’t know. It was unnerving. Maybe I was just tired. Maybe I needed more pasta. But the alpaca? It wasn't as charming as the wine selection.
So, bottom line: Should I go?
Post a Comment for "Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Luxury at Hotel Ciasa Soleil, Italy"