Hotel 3 Bintang di Bard

We only spent one night in this hotel, and it is surely an experience we will not forget in a hurry. As a military history buff I was intrigued to visit this hotel, located as it is within the walls of an Italian C19 fortress. Unfortunately, due to health and car problems we did not arrive in the best of spirits having endured a journey from hell, (due also to our Satnav deciding to throw ‘a wobbly’ that day), resulting in our not arriving at the hotel until 8pm. Nevertheless, having phoned the ever courteous and helpful Deborah warning her of our late arrival, things did not turn out too badly. However, be aware that access to this property is not exactly simple or for the faint hearted. Having driven up a multi-storey car park with very narrow roadways, you are then confronted with the prospect of ascending not one but five lifts in order to eventually reach our room at the top of the fort. A task not to be taken on lightly with cumbersome luggage. The conversion from fortress to hotel has been achieved to an extraordinary degree, with reception rooms, lounges and bedrooms all tastefully, if a little clinically, decorated. We occupied a junior suite which was very comfortable, with spacious bedroom, good sized bathroom (with bathtub), together with a small lobby and smaller room with an additional single bed. The view from the window and small balcony of the mountains and valley below was truly breath-taking. However, the site’s functions are a little quirky as it is trying to balance both being a tourist attraction and a hotel at the same time. Breakfast was a little disappointing as effectively what you are offered is the site cafeteria with a few concessions to what you might expect at that time of day. Also, for somewhere so remote, it is unfortunate that there is no restaurant. The reception is only open for limited hours. So, if you want something different, in a fantastic mountain retreat – if a little quirky – give it a go. The memory will stay with you, whatever your experience.