Unbelievable Tuscany Escape: Belvilla by OYO, Cortona, Italy!
Unbelievable Tuscany Escape: Belvilla by OYO, Cortona, Italy - A Review That's Actually Real (And Probably a Little Dramatic)
Right, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review that's less "objective analysis" and more "Tuscan Therapy Session." We're talking about Belvilla by OYO in Cortona, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. This isn't your polished, corporate copy. This is me, unfiltered, and probably still slightly sunburned.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good, the Bad, and the…Stairs?)
Okay, picture this: rolling Tuscan hills, sunlight practically dripping off the olive trees, and me, slightly bewildered but utterly thrilled to be in Cortona. The Belvilla itself? Well, it's a collection of apartments, so the "hotel" feel is…absent. Which, honestly, I kinda dug. It felt less sterile, more "lived in," which is a plus.
Accessibility: Now, here’s where things get REAL. I thankfully don't need a wheelchair, but I like to think I'm a somewhat empathetic traveler. The website claims "facilities for disabled guests," but let's just say the Tuscan hills don't exactly lend themselves to flat, easy access. Expect stairs, cobblestones, and a healthy dose of "adventure" to get around. Definitely double-check specifics with the property if accessibility is a major concern. It gives me pause for the less mobile guests.
Internet (Because We're All Addicted)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the heavens! Look, I need my internet fix. I'm a digital nomad at heart. The Wi-Fi was… well, it was internet. It functioned. The speed wasn't lightning-fast, but enough to post envy-inducing Instagram stories of my pasta and sunsets, so I can’t really complain. Internet [LAN] wasn’t needed but available.
Internet services: Were present, but frankly, I was too busy stuffing myself with pasta to need much else.
Cleanliness and Safety (Did I Survive?)
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: COVID. Belvilla seems to have taken things seriously, which is reassuring.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw people spraying things down regularly. Good.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Like I was living in a Purell commercial. Not complaining, mind you.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They said they did. I didn't see them, but I'll take their word for it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were masked, clearly briefed, and seemed genuinely trying to keep everyone safe.
Rooms sanitized between stays, and Room sanitization opt-out available: I do not want to be a hypochondriac. The level of cleaning was good, and no complaints - but I do wish they would have a way to opt-out of the cleaning altogether, even if that means having to dispose of the trash yourself.
The Room (My Tuscan Sanctuary, or Not?)
My room - it was an apartment. It had…character. Think "rustic chic" meets "slightly dated."
- Air conditioning: Thank you, sweet baby Jesus, because Tuscany gets HOT.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for morning rituals.
- Refrigerator: Perfect for storing that killer bottle of Chianti I bought.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Internet access – wireless: Check, check, and check.
- Private bathroom: Clean and functional, but nothing to write home about.
- Soundproofing: Surprisingly good, which was a blessing considering the enthusiastic cicadas outside.
- Slippers: Nice touch, particularly since the floors were tiled and stone.
The "Things to Do" (Besides Eating?)
Okay, let's be real: most of my "things to do" involved consuming vast quantities of pasta and gelato. BUT, if you're feeling ambitious:
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool was amazing, overlooking the views of Tuscany. Picture-perfect.
- Gym/fitness: I, um, didn’t use it. Too much pasta, not enough motivation.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna: Didn't even notice.
- Things to do: Hiking, visiting the town square, museums, and going to the town square. Cortona boasts a lovely public park.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My True Calling)
This is where I truly excelled.
- Breakfast [buffet]: This was actually pretty decent – a good selection of pastries, fruits, and the essential Italian coffee. Not the best I've ever had, but perfectly serviceable.
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Didn't encounter.
- Bar: The bar was not present, which was a pity.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Coffee and tea were present.
- Restaurants - I spent most of my meals in the town.
- Snack bar: Not sure what they had available.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope.
Services and Conveniences (The Nitty-Gritty)
- Daily housekeeping: The apartment was cleaned daily.
- Cash withdrawal: There's a bank in Cortona.
- Concierge: Available but not super present.
- Elevator: Nope, see "Accessibility" above.
- Laundry service: I was too lazy for laundry.
- Luggage storage: Useful.
- Terrace: Great for morning coffee and evening wine.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy to park.
For the Kids (Bless Their Little Hearts)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Not applicable to me.
Getting Around (Cortona is a Hill, People!)
- Airport transfer: Nope.
- Taxi service: I saw a few cabs.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy to park.
My Verdict (The Unfiltered Truth)
Belvilla by OYO, Cortona isn’t perfect. It’s a little rough around the edges, and it certainly isn't luxurious. However, it's also charming, reasonably priced, and perfectly positioned to explore the magic of Tuscany. The views are incredible, the location is ideal, and the apartment felt like a cozy, if somewhat slightly worn, home base.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Mostly for the food, the wine, and those sunsets. And maybe this time, I’ll even attempt the gym. Maybe.
Escape to Medebach: Cozy Ski Chalet Awaits!
Alright, strap in, buttercups, because this is NOT your meticulously planned, Instagram-filtered vacation itinerary. This is the real deal, the warts-and-all, pizza-and-wine-stained document of my impending Tuscan adventure at Belvilla by OYO Pino Cortona. Consider this… a warning.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Olive Oil Debacle (aka "The Curse of the Rental Car")
- Morning (or, "Whenever I can pry my eyeballs open after the red-eye"): Land in Florence. Okay, that's the plan. The REAL plan involves a frantic search for baggage carts, a near-miss with a rogue suitcase (seriously, those things have a mind of their own), and the eternal struggle – finding the rental car. I've booked a "compact" car. I'm praying to the automotive gods it's not a clown car.
- Mid-day: The Curse begins. Navigating Italian traffic is like trying to herd cats with a blindfolded toddler. Google maps versus the locals? The locals always win. Seriously, I'm pretty sure they know every shortcut, every secret alley, every magical teleportation route. I’ll probably end up in someone’s garden, waving sheepishly. Hopefully, not a grumpy Italian's.
- Late Afternoon: Arrive at Pino Cortona! Hopefully. Unpack… or sort of throw bags in the general direction of the bedroom. First impressions of the villa? Breath. Taking. Gorgeous, right? But, the real test: the kitchen. I'm convinced I can cook, despite evidence to the contrary.
- Evening: Grocery shopping! Oh, the joy! I imagine myself gracefully selecting fresh produce, chatting fluently with the charming local butcher, and returning with baskets overflowing with culinary delights. Reality: I'll likely wander aimlessly, mispronounce everything, and buy a bag of what I HOPE is the right kind of pasta. The Olive Oil Debacle commences. I will buy some, maybe the wrong kind, but you have to try.
Day 2: Cortona, Clumsiness, and Culinary Catastrophes (Possibly Involving Fire)
- Morning: Explore Cortona! The plan is to wander the cobblestone streets, soak in the atmosphere, and feel all artistic and cultured. The reality might involve getting hopelessly lost, tripping over something, and generally looking like the world's most bewildered tourist. I've heard the views are stunning. I just hope I can find them!
- Mid-day: Lunch at a local trattoria. Hopefully, I can decipher the menu. I'm thinking pasta, something simple, maybe even a pizza. And wine. Lots and lots of wine. I'm particularly looking forward to the wine, you know, to smooth over any potential linguistic mishaps.
- Afternoon: Culinary mission: I am going to attempt to make a simple pasta dish. This could be a disaster. This WILL be a disaster if I am being honest. I'm talking smoke alarms, potentially setting off the sprinklers, a culinary train wreck of epic proportions. I might have to call for takeout (pizza?) if I do. My first attempt? I may need a fire extinguisher.
- Evening: I will need to be calmed. More wine. Dinner will be at the villa (assuming I can salvage something edible). Maybe a simple salad if the pasta turns out to be… well… char.
Day 3: Siena, Sunsets, and the Siren Song of Gelato
- Morning: Day trip to Siena! The Piazza del Campo! The Duomo! The history! It all sounds so… impressive. I will attempt to navigate the narrow streets. I'm going to try to see Siena's main sites. Pray for me.
- Mid-day: Lunch in Siena. This time, I will order something that isn't pasta, to prove I am capable of variety. It's a lie, I'll probably get pasta again. But, with the help of more wine, I'll be okay.
- Afternoon: Back to Pino Cortona, and sunset watching. I'm expecting the sun to do its golden thing. I'll find a spot with the best view (hopefully not in someone's garden), and then… Gelato! I’m going to become a connoisseur. I will work through every flavor humanly possible. Pistachio first, obviously.
- Evening: A quiet night at the villa. I may have another wine, and watch the stars. The beauty of the Italian evenings will never cease to amaze me.
Day 4: Relaxation, Rambling, and Reflections (and More Wine)
- Morning: Sleep in! This is officially a vacation. Wake up late, drink coffee on the terrace. Maybe I'll actually attempt to read a book. Or, you know, stare at the view.
- Mid-day: Wander around the local area. No rigid plans. Just exploring, letting the day unfold, and trying to embrace the Italian way of life (which, from what I can tell, involves a lot of lazing around).
- Afternoon: Write. Reflect on the trip. Or, I will write and reflect on the wine.
- Evening: Another attempt at cooking. This time, I'm making a salad. I can't mess up a salad. Right? Then a quiet evening and more star gazing.
Day 5: Departure (and the Sadness of Leaving Paradise)
- Morning: Pack. The worst part, as I always end up struggling with what to leave behind. Clean the villa (or at least, attempt to). Soak in the last few moments of Tuscan bliss.
- Mid-day: The rental car. The final battle. Return it without incident. Pray to the automotive gods.
- Afternoon: Fly home. Try to remember all of the details. I hope I’m able to remember the amazing food and the incredible views. I'll start planning my return trip before the plane even touches down.
- Evening: Back at home. Reality sets in. Begin counting down until my next escape.
This is just a rough outline. It's likely that spontaneity, mishaps, and copious amounts of wine will dictate the true course of events. Consider this document… a live, evolving work in progress. Wish me luck. And send pizza. Seriously, I'm going to need it.
Escape to Italy: Your Dream Villa in Pennabilli Awaits!
Unbelievable Tuscany Escape: Belvilla by OYO, Cortona, Italy - FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, Google Can't Tell You EVERYTHING)
So, Unbelievable Tuscany Escape, huh? Is it *really* unbelievable? Don't just give me the brochure spiel.
Okay, fine. Let's be real for a second. "Unbelievable" is a strong word, isn't it? Is it *literally* unbelievable? No. Was it a genuinely fantastic experience? Absolutely, for the most part. But let me tell you, the "unbelievable" part comes with a hefty dose of Tuscan charm (and maybe a little bit of Italian chaos). Expect breathtaking views you could genuinely stare at for hours, the kind that makes you sigh dramatically and mutter, "This is it." But also expect that those views might be slightly obscured by a rogue cloud or a particularly stubborn mosquito. Think of it as... mostly unbelievable, with a healthy dose of reality sprinkled in. And honestly? The reality makes it better.
The Pool. The Pictures. Tell me about the pool. Because that's all I ACTUALLY care about.
Alright, the pool. This is a big one. The photos… they’re good. Really good. Let’s be honest; they're probably taken at golden hour, under a filter that makes the water look like liquid aquamarine. The real pool is... well, it's lovely. It's a good size, clean, generally not *freezing* cold (a crucial factor, folks!), and the view from it? Magnificent. But and this is a BIG but... Expect leaves. Oh, the leaves. Tuscany is beautiful, but it also sheds. You'll be scooping out leaves. You'll be getting used to leaves clinging to your swimsuit. You'll become intimately acquainted with the pool skimmer. It's part of the experience. Embrace the leaves. See them as nature's confetti. And bring a good book; pool time is prime reading time. Just… maybe bring a dry towel to dry the leaves off before you go eat pizza. Speaking of pizza...
What about the location? Cortona sounds... fancy. Is it? And is it easy to *get* there?
Cortona *is* fancy. In a charming, old-world, cobblestone-street kind of fancy. It's stunning. Truly. The views! The restaurants! The gelaterias (OH, the gelaterias!). But getting there? That's where the fun – and by "fun," I mean "slightly stressful adventure" – begins. The roads are... well, they're *Italian* roads. Narrow. Winding. Potentially requiring a three-point turn on a cliffside overlooking the valley. My advice? Rent a car. Even if you think you won't need one. You absolutely, positively, 100% will need one to explore, to get groceries (a MUST!), and to run away in, screaming, if the local wasps get too bold. Also, GPS is your *friend*. But even GPS sometimes doesn't understand Italian rural roads. Prepare for a few "oops, wrong turn, time to admire a field of sunflowers" moments. Embrace the detours. They're part of the charm (I used that word again, didn't I? Sorry).
The Villa Itself - What's it *really* like inside? Is it all exposed beams and rustic perfection?
Okay, the interior. Yes, expect exposed beams. Yes, expect rustic touches. And yes, expect a certain level of... let's call it "character." The pictures are likely staged. A little. My villa (I stayed in a *different* villa, the reviews are all over for this and depend on the villa itself) had a gorgeous kitchen, but the lighting was a bit…dim. Like, "romantic dinner for two, or trying to find the olive oil in the dark" dim. The bathrooms? Functional, but possibly from the previous century (in a good way, usually!). My shower was wonderful, but the water pressure was a little… optimistic. "Suggestive, but not quite a stream." You might find some quirks. A wonky door that takes a little jiggle to close. A light switch that controls a light in a completely unrelated part of the villa. A lingering scent of rosemary and… something else. Embrace the imperfections. They add to the charm. And also, for the love of all that is holy, check the appliances *before* you go grocery shopping. You don’t want to fill the fridge if it doesn't actually work. I learned that the hard way. Leftover zucchini, anyone?
Groceries! Where do I GO for groceries? And are there good restaurants nearby?
Grocery shopping is a CRUCIAL part of the experience. You're in Tuscany. You *need* to experience cooking (or at least attempting to cook) with local ingredients. Cortona itself has some great options, including some smaller, charming markets. But for a bigger haul, you'll probably want to hit up a larger supermarket - Conad or Coop are your friends. Prepare for a language barrier. Prepare for things like "prosciutto" to be taken *very* seriously. And prepare to be amazed by the quality of the produce. Seriously, the tomatoes alone made me consider giving up my career and becoming a farmer. Seriously. As for restaurants... Cortona is overflowing with them! From rustic trattorias serving the BEST pasta you've ever had to more upscale places... you're spoiled for choice. Do your research. Make reservations (especially during high season). And be prepared to potentially order something you can't quite identify, but trust me, it'll probably be delicious. Ask the locals, they know. And don't be afraid to experiment. You're in Italy! Live a little! Or a LOT!
Belvilla by OYO - Are they any good? Are there any hidden fees? Is the communication good?
Okay, Belvilla by OYO. This is where things get a little... complicated. You're basically renting a villa through a platform. So, the quality of the experience really depends on the *villa* itself. I would suggest REALLY reading the reviews and looking at the photos. Belvilla isn’t the villain, and the OYO part… I couldn’t tell you. Hidden fees are… a possibility. Read the fine print CAREFULLY. There might be a cleaning fee, a mandatory linen fee, a city tax… all the usual suspects. Read, read, read. Communication? It was okay but expect a little distance, and sometimes things get a little lost in translation. But mostly, they are fine. They generally will resolve problems. So... read the reviews and be realistic about what you're getting. You are renting a place. You have to deal with the realities of the location. It’s not a hotel. You have to problem-solve yourself, a little. Sometimes a lot. You will need to be independent. But hey, independence is part of the adventure, right?
Anything I should REALLY know before I go? Things the brochures don't tell you?
Okay, the secret sauce: Best Rest Finder
