Hotel Castel Gandolfo

We stayed at the hotel during a business trip to Rome. The hotel is just down from the Popes summer palace and boosts brilliant views of the lake The hotel is slightly run down but the location and attentive staff make up for any short fall The village was quiet in early May but there were still enough restaurants and bars open Breakfast can be taken on the terrace overlooking the lake which is simply breathtaking Worth a Visit

Hotel Castel Gandolfo was absolutely delightful. My friend and I came for two nights to see the Pope’s summer palace and the beautiful lake. The hotel had been highly recommended by a friend…and he was right. From check in to check out the staff was really lovely and helpful. Breakfast is unbelievable. Excellent choices and it’s all included. They ask for your order the night before so everything is freshly made. (The scrambled eggs were delicious.) Located in the center of town with access to everything, the best part is still the gorgeous lake views. The hotel also owns the restaurant right below which was delicious. While having dinner there we met the owner, Andrea, who was really charming and helpful. All in all, Hotel Castel Gandolfo was fantastic. I highly recommend.

We stayed for three nights in the apartment which belongs to the hotel, Dependance Ilaria (the bigger of the two, on the top floor). The situation of the apartment, the view from the terrace and one of the bedrooms, the kindness of the staff and their prompt correspondance are superb. But there are a few niggles. The apartment, about fifty meters away from the hotel, is reached by one flight of slightly steep and narrow stairs and a few more stairs, which continue inside the apartment. We arrived in the evening and left early in the morning so had to carry our luggage by ourselves. Once in the lower level of the apartment itself, you find yourself in a wide living room with a sofa and two pieces of furniture between a pouf and an armchair which double as single beds, nice chest of drawer and other pieces of furniture, some modern some antique, and a tv screen This room faces the narrow road. On the same floor you have a bathroom with toilette, double sink and shower ( both hand held and rain) and a bidet. Towel rack with fluffy towels. Then a bedroom with a comfortable double bed, two narrow high windows and no view, big cupboard, a kind of chest of drawers,some strange wall shelves but no bedside tables. Spare towels, pillows and blankets. Further on, down two steps, there is another room with a double bed which basically takes all the space so I cannot fathom how the wall cupboard can be accessed. This room has a lovely French terrace with a view to the lake. From the living room there is another flight of stairs to the kitchen (table with three chairs, sink, gas cooker, full single fridge , dishwasher, microwave and oven) and from there the access to the big terrace, with a big table for six (but not six chairs) and on a lower level (two rickety steps near the wall, no banister) a smaller terrace with sofa, armchair and another 60s style chair. Air conditioners around the flat and fixed heaters but we needed neither. Although the kitchen has pots and pans and crockery, it lacks basic items such as kitchen towels or kitchen paper, tea, sugar and coffee, although I suppose the hotel rooms have them and if you ask for them at the hotel you will get a few sachets. No milk either, and the only thing you find in the fridge is a bottle of water. This is not of small importance because there is not a minimarket nearby - Ciampanella near Piazza Don Morosini had lovely fresh fruits and vegetables but no milk when we arrived and no fresh bread; the Antico Forno, near the tourism information kiosk, has cooked food bakery items and a few delicatessen. Loads of eating spots nearby. The flat itself is very quiet. Decent wifi. So, if you don't mind stairs and come organised, a stay here could be a dream . My feeling was the owner could do much more to enhance the potential of this property.

This hotel has fantastic views of the lake and is in the heart of castel gandolfo. Clean and friendly staff who are exceptional. Especially the girls behind reception they make this hotel.. Handy for walks to lake and train station into Rome. Popes palace and gardens . Plenty of restaurants. Town square bars and church weddings always taking place . Beautiful town and people.

Some of the negative comments I’ve seen on here, or about living in medieval town The rooms were lovely. The staff exceptionally kind and helpful . The location was ideal. My room was ideal. Breakfast was perfect- served on time at the table