Unbelievable Assisi Escape: Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari Awaits!
Unbelievable Assisi Escape: Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari - Or, My Love Affair with Cobblestones and Confusion (A Review That's Probably Too Honest)
Okay, folks, buckle up. You’re about to get the real deal on Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari in Assisi. Forget the carefully curated travel blog posts. This is me, your humble (and slightly overwhelmed) reviewer, laying it all bare. This is probably going to be a disorganized mess, just like my luggage after I unpacked. But hey, isn’t that the fun of it all?
(SEO & Metadata Stuff - Don't worry, I'll try to shoehorn it in!)
Keywords: Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari, Assisi, Italy, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Cleanliness, Service, Family-Friendly, Romantic Getaway, Umbria, Wellness, Travel Review, Honest Review.
(Right, let's get messy!)
First things first: Assisi itself is… well, it's a bloody movie set. I mean, seriously. Cobblestones everywhere. Churches that look like they were carved by angels. And enough hills to give your calves a workout that would make a marathon runner jealous. Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari is nestled right in the heart of it all. So, expect to be enchanted… eventually.
Accessibility: The Uneven Truth
This is where things get a bit… complicated. The website claims accessibility. But let me tell you, those cobblestone streets are not your friend if you're in a wheelchair or have mobility issues. Getting to the hotel is an adventure in itself! The property itself has an elevator, which is a godsend, and some facilities for disabled guests. But navigate the immediate surroundings with caution. It’s a beautiful, but challenging location. I’d recommend calling ahead and asking very specific questions about access to rooms and the main areas. I saw a couple struggling with a stroller. Oof.
(Rambling Time: Seriously, the cobblestones are a menace!)
Okay, back to those cobblestones. I’m not exaggerating. They are everywhere. Beautiful, historic, soul-stirring cobblestones. But also, ankle-twisting, luggage-wrecking, "why did I wear heels?" cobblestones. I tripped twice just getting from the car to the reception. Made me feel like a klutz, which I am, but still!
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: A Pleasant Surprise!
Thankfully, the hotel's dining areas are generally accessible. The restaurant had a ramp and plenty of space to maneuver.
Internet Access & Room Amenities: The Modern World Meets Medieval Charm… Kinda
Alright, let’s talk tech. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! Praise the internet gods! Internet [LAN] as well. I needed that for work, and it worked without any problem, which is a big win for the remote worker, like me. There was even a handy laptop workspace in the room. However, the power sockets were a bit of a struggle to find, so I had to spend some time looking.
My room, a non-smoking beauty (thankfully!), had air conditioning (essential in the Italian summer), a coffee/tea maker (hello, caffeine!), and a pretty comfy bed. Blackout curtains saved my butt from the early morning sun, which was a blessing. Also, there was a fridge, which was perfect for all that prosecco I was planning on drinking. I was happy they gave me slippers and robe because I always forget my own.
The Spa & Relaxation: Where Dreams (Almost) Died
Okay, this is where things get… intense. The hotel boasts a spa, sauna, steamroom, and swimming pool [outdoor]. Sounds idyllic, right? WRONG! First, the pool with a view was gorgeous. I mean, picture-postcard perfect. I spent an entire afternoon there, sipping cocktails and pretending to be effortlessly chic. The massage was heavenly, too. Pure bliss! I ended up with a body scrub and body wrap, and was a whole new person. In the SPA, you could find a gym/fitness area.
However… the sauna and steam room were closed one day for "maintenance." And getting spa appointments was nearly impossible. I felt like I was in a high-stakes poker game, fighting for a slot. So, my advice? Book your spa treatments well in advance, or you might end up as grumpy as I was.
(Quirky Observation: Italian Time-Keeping)
I swear, "Italian time" is a real thing. It’s like the universe slows down. Don't expect things to happen exactly when you think they will. Embrace the chaos!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Protected
I was super impressed with the efforts regarding cleanliness. All the staff were wearing masks and even the check-in was contactless! Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, and rooms sanitized between stays. They took it seriously. I felt very safe, especially compared to other places I've stayed.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Mangia, Mangia!
The restaurants were AMAZING. Seriously. We're talking A la carte and buffet in the restaurant and a poolside bar. The Asian cuisine was a surprisingly pleasant adventure. Everything was delicious. There was even a vegetarian restaurant inside the hotel. The coffee was divine! The bottle of water given to us in the restaurant was a nice touch too. Happy hour was a particularly delightful experience. The only downside was that the snack bar was a little limited. Also, they give you breakfast in room and breakfast takeaway service, which is AMAZING.
(Anecdote Time: Pizza Perfection!)
One night, I was completely exhausted and didn't want to go out. Thank goodness for room service [24-hour]. I ordered a pizza. And it was possibly the best pizza I've ever had in my life. Crispy crust, perfect sauce, mountains of cheese… I ate the whole thing. No regrets.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and The… Well, Mostly Good
Daily housekeeping, dry cleaning, laundry service, and luggage storage were all top-notch. The concierge was super helpful with recommendations. The elevator was appreciated after those hills! I mean, an elevator is an important part of this review.
The hotel also offers air conditioning in public areas, a convenience store, and a gift/souvenir shop. Plenty of essentials condiments were provided.
They make use of meetings/banquet facilities/indoor venue for special events.
(The Downside: A Few Quirks)
I did have a few minor issues. The doorman wasn't always on duty. Also, finding a taxi felt like a Herculean task some days. I am not renting a car. I'm an urban creature.
For the Kids: Families, Rejoice!
The Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari is family/child friendly. I didn't see loads of little ones, but there were kids facilities to have them occupied. I did not use the babysitting service but it's nice to know they have one.
Getting Around: The Agony of Choice
Car park [free of charge] - Praise be! But you'll need a car to get around comfortably. Airport transfer is available.
In Conclusion: Would I Go Back?
Yes. Absolutely, yes. Despite the imperfections, the Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari offers a truly magical experience. Assisi is stunning, the hotel is charming, and the staff are generally lovely. Just be prepared for those cobblestones, book your spa appointments early, and embrace the Italian way of life! I will be back, for sure. And next time, I'm bringing sturdier shoes!
Pakostane Paradise: Stunning Holiday Home with Private Pool!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, 'cause this ain't your sanitized, cookie-cutter itinerary. This is my Assisi, Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari adventure, warts and all. Consider this more of an emotional rollercoaster scribbled on a napkin, fueled by pasta, wine, and the lingering scent of incense. Here we go… (deep breath)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Crisis (in a Renaissance Painting setting)
- Morning (ish): Arrive at Florence Airport. Oh, the chaotic beauty of Italian airports! Somehow, against all odds, my luggage kind of arrived with me. Score! The drive to Assisi? Scenic as hell. I mean, those Tuscan rolling hills? Forget about it! I almost ran the car into a field of sunflowers just to get a better look. (Note to self: remember to actually look at the road next time, dimwit).
- Afternoon: Check into Belvilla by OYO Ottodenari. Okay, let's be real, the photos online always lie a little. But the view from the terrace… HO-LY. That, my friends, is the stuff of postcard dreams. The villa itself? Rustic charm with a capital "C." Found a rogue spider in the bathroom (immediately burst into Italian exclamations that my nonexistent language skills couldn't cover). Settled in, unpacked some (mostly) clean clothes, and had a moment of pure, unadulterated peace on that terrace. Staring out at the Umbrian countryside… the sheer age of everything hit me. Like, centuries! Made me wonder, are we all just tiny specks of dust in the cosmic wind? Deep, huh?
- Evening: Wandered the cobblestone streets of Assisi. Got lost. Completely lost. But in the best possible way. Every turn was a new photo op, every alleyway whispered secrets, every ancient stone seemed to pulse with history. Found myself in a tiny trattoria, ordered the local pasta with truffle sauce (OMG, the truffle sauce!). Spilled some on my shirt (classic). Sat there, soaking up the atmosphere, the clatter of cutlery, the laughter, the Italian joie de vivre. Felt a genuine sense of belonging. Maybe I'm Italian in a past life? Maybe I was a truffle-hunting nun? Who knows!
Day 2: Saint Francis & Culinary Bliss (and Questionable Decisions)
- Morning: Basilica di San Francesco – The main draw! The frescoes! The sheer scale of the place! It's overwhelming, in the best possible way. Stood there, staring at the scenes of Saint Francis's life, feeling a bit… emotional. Okay, I teared up. Judge me. I don't care. The art is breathtaking, and the story is inspiring. Left feeling a newfound appreciation for kindness, simplicity, and… okay, a slightly unhealthy obsession with birds.
- Afternoon (The Great Cooking Class Debacle): Signed up for a cooking class. Sounded like a brilliant idea. Until I realized I'm basically a culinary disaster. The nonna (bless her heart) was patient, but my attempts at hand-rolling pasta dough resembled something a toddler might sculpt from play-doh. The sauce? Let's just say it was… a learning experience. The wine, though? Magnificent. We ate our (mostly mine) creations, laughed, and learned. The best part? The nonna's infectious laughter. She's a true force of nature!
- Evening: (The Great Wine-fueled Evening) Headed back into Assisi, convinced myself I needed more wine. Found a tiny enoteca (wine bar). The wine flowed freely, fueled by the cooking class humiliation and a sudden need to discuss the meaning of life with the bartender (who, thankfully, spoke excellent English). Met a group of friendly locals, learned some Italian phrases, and made some questionable life decisions. Woke up the next day with a slightly fuzzy head, but a heart full of joy.
Day 3: Sunsets, Serenity & Sad Goodbyes (but not really)
- Morning: Wandered (at a slightly slower pace than the day before) the quieter side streets of Assisi. Discovered hidden churches, quirky little shops, and a gelato place that should be illegal (it was that good). Found a peaceful spot overlooking Assisi for contemplative moment. It was the best moment.
- Afternoon: Day trip to a nearby town, that I can't quite remember the name of now. Honestly the main feature was the amazing lunch at a tiny Trattoria that took up 300 square feet and served 14 kinds of pasta. Each course was a flavor explosion, and I felt true happiness.
- Evening: Watched the sunset from the terrace of the Ottodenari. Absolutely breathtaking. The colors! The light! The way it painted the landscape in a golden glow… I could have stayed there forever. Did a little dance, sang a little song (badly), and felt an overwhelming gratitude for this experience. It was hard to say goodbye to that view.
Day 4: Departure (and the Promise of Return)
- Morning: Packed (less gracefully than I unpacked), took one last look at the view, and felt a pang of sadness. But more than sadness, I felt a sense of fulfillment. Assisi had burrowed into my soul.
- Afternoon: Drove back to Florence, with a heart full of memories, a belly full of pasta, and a suitcase full of (hopefully) clean clothes.
- Evening: Plane ride back home, already plotting my return.
Things I learned:
- I'm a terrible cook.
- Italian wine is a gift from the gods.
- Cobblestone streets and heels do not mix.
- It's okay to get lost.
- Sometimes, the best moments are the messy ones.
- Assisi is magical.
- I'll be back.
Unbelievable Assisi Escape: My Ottodenari Awaits! ...Or Does It? (A Belvilla by OYO Debrief)
So, what *IS* this "Ottodenari" thing anyway? Sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings!
Okay, first things first: Ottodenari is the name! Apparently, it's the name of the property, a glorious, ancient, (mostly) self-catering villa nestled in the heart of Assisi. And honestly? It sounds way cooler than just "Nice Villa in Assisi." It conjures up images of secret passages, hidden treasures... which, let's be real, the only treasure I found was a decent espresso machine and a desperate need for a grocery store. But hey, the *name* is fantastic! I went in with expectations raised by some serious marketing magic.
Belvilla by OYO? What's the deal with them? Red flags or golden arches? (Metaphorically speaking.)
Ugh, Belvilla by OYO. Let's put it this way: the experience was a *mixed bag*. You know, like that giant bag of chips you promise yourself you'll only eat a handful of, and then... poof! Gone. Belvilla's website? Slick. Photos? Drool-worthy. The reality? Well, sometimes the reality is a little... let's say, *less polished*. I've heard horror stories about OYO in general - broken promises, terrible customer service... I braced myself. Surprisingly, customer service wasn't *awful*. It wasn't brilliant either. Think: adequate. They responded eventually. Did they always get things right? Nope. More on that later…
The property itself – was Ottodenari actually as gorgeous as the pictures? Spill the beans, people!
Okay, *this* is where things get interesting. The photos... they were good. Very good. They had me booking faster than you can say "gelato." The reality? Well, let's just say the photographer knew their angles. Ottodenari is genuinely stunning. The views of the Umbrian countryside? Magnificent. The architecture? Charming. The old stone walls oozed history. *BUT*... there were a few, shall we say, imperfections. Like, the "fully equipped kitchen" that was missing a corkscrew (a *crime* in Italy!). Or the wonky showerhead that sprayed water at a 45-degree angle. Or the fact that the Wi-Fi, for a solid day and a half, was about as reliable as my ability to stick to a diet. Small price to pay for being in Assisi, right? Maybe. Depends on how much you *need* Wi-Fi. I needed it a lot.
Let's talk about the kitchen. It's self-catering, after all... what's the score? Corkscrew woes aside.
Okay, the kitchen situation... it was a microcosm of the whole experience. Mostly good, with a few quirks. The appliances were decent, the space was functional… but that *cursed* corkscrew! I swear, I spent a solid half hour trying to open a bottle of local wine with a butter knife, feeling like a complete idiot. (And it was *good* wine too! Tragedy!). Then – and this is a bit more dramatic but its how I felt - there was the *lack* of basic pantry items. You're expected to bring everything, including salt, pepper, and even olive oil. I'd expected at least some basic supplies. Imagine arriving after a long journey and suddenly having to find a supermarket at 7pm! I'm fairly used to self-catering, this felt a step too far. So, advice? Pack a corkscrew, and swing past a grocery store *before* you collapse from jet lag. You'll thank me. Trust me.
Location, location, location! How was Ottodenari's spot? And, most importantly – was it close to those *delicious* gelato shops?
The location was brilliant, apart from a few minor hiccups. Ottodenari is *close* to Assisi, which is an incredibly beautiful and spiritual town. It was high enough up to provide some gorgeous panoramic views. You'll need a car, though. Trying to navigate those narrow, winding roads on foot is... well, let's just say I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are a mascohist! Parking in Assisi itself can be... tricky. Prepare for a bit of a walk. The upside? All that effort (and the occasional near-death experience in a tiny Fiat) is *completely* worth it. The town is magical. The gelato? Unbelievable. (Yes, it was within reasonable walking – and *mostly* downhill - distance. Priorities, people!).
Okay, give it to me straight – what was the *best* thing about staying at Ottodenari?
The *best* thing? The sheer, unadulterated *vibe*. Seriously. Waking up in that villa, hearing the church bells chime, seeing the sunrise over the Umbrian hills... it was pure magic. Despite the wonky shower and the corkscrew crisis, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility. I spent hours just sitting on the terrace, sipping coffee, and soaking it all in. That, my friends, is priceless. And let's be real, the pizza in Assisi? Phenomenal. (Again, a very important part of the experience.)
And the *worst* thing? Be honest, don't spare any details!
Okay, this is where I get real and rant! The communication. The initial instructions… muddled. The responses to my (admittedly frantic) emails about the Wi-Fi and, yes, the *corkscrew*… slow, and at times, useless! It felt like I was talking to a wall! I had a situation where the hot water ran out on the second day, and was assured it would be fixed, and so it was, only on the second day! It was a little bit cold, and it impacted how I felt. It also happened during my partner's birthday. In short, the lack of responsiveness and the lack of clear communication was a true pain in the backside!
Would you recommend Ottodenari? Would you stay there again? Be brutally honest!
Here's the thing: despite the hiccups, the wonky shower, and the corkscrew incident, YES, I would recommend it, with caveats. If you're looking for a flawless, luxury experience, this might not be the *perfect* fit. But if you're after a charming, character-filled villa in an incredible location, with stunning views and access to some of the world's best food... and you're willing to embrace a little bit of "rustic charm"... then absolutely, go for it! Would I stay there again? Hmm... if I'm being honest, probably. But next time, I'm packing my ownGlobetrotter Hotels
