Gatto Bianco Tizzauli in Montespertoli

We recently stayed at this hotel for 5 days, and unfortunately, it was a far cry from the excellent experience we had two years ago. Here are some key points from our stay:

1. **Pool Accessibility Issues:** Out of the 5 days we stayed, the pool was only accessible for 2 days due to malfunctioning. This was a significant letdown, especially since we chose this hotel for its pool facilities.

2. **Pricing Discrepancies:** We booked early through the hotel's website, expecting a good deal, only to find out upon arrival that the price on Booking was 2.5 times cheaper. This felt like a betrayal of our trust and commitment as early bookers.

3. **Breakfast Limitations:** The breakfast offered was extremely limited compared to the expansive buffet we enjoyed two years ago. It seems that the quality and variety have diminished significantly.

4. **Lack of Guests:** We were the only guests during what should have been a bustling July season. It turned out that many other guests had canceled their bookings, which is telling of the current state of affairs.

5. **Understaffed Operations:** There was only one person on-site managing everything from cleaning to pool maintenance. While he did his best, it was evident that this was not a one-man job. Moreover, his level of English was extremely limited, which was absolutely not optimal for clients’ servicing. Finally, he was definitely nothing of a host, extremely cold and proactive, always looking a bit lost. We were really wondering what was he doing all day long.

6. **Remote Management Challenges:** The hotel is now remotely managed from Milan, and responses regarding issues or compensation were slow/inexistant and unhelpful. This change in management has clearly impacted the quality of service.

In summary, while we appreciate the efforts of the local staff, the overall experience was unsatisfactory, and I hope the management will address these issues promptly. I would think twice before returning unless significant improvements are made.

We had booked and prepaid €4000 for two suites for a weeklong stay in Tuscany. Unfortunately the hotel has only one suite on site, and it was filled with flying ants, leaving us unable to use the master bedroom. The jacuzzi was non functional and the pool filled with green algae and hence unusable for the entire stay.

The administrators are refusing a partial refund claiming that the person in charge is only available next month.

Our family vacation was more or less ruined by this choice. I would not recommend to stay here.

Sadly I have to temper my previous glowing praise. Original review below, judge for yourselves.

I was so enchanted I was planning our company getaway here in October. 20+ guests, wine tasting, oil tasting, barbecue, the whole shebang. I was talking to Davide the manager who was super enthusiastic but asked me to contact him directly and not through central reservation. When I got home from the trip I texted him about something and he mentioned I'd left a jacket. Note he did not initiate contact, he only mentioned it after I reached out. I asked him to post it to me in Germany. I checked, it would cost €6-7 so I said I'd reimburse him. He said no no it was too much trouble and he'd prefer if I arranged for a courier to pick it up. I said that's going to cost a lot more, can't you just post it next time you go to the village? (he goes almost every day to get supplies or someone delivers). Then for a week I heard nothing. I contacted again. In Italian using Google Translate. I said I had found a local courier, it would cost €20 and they could pick up the next day. I asked him to book it and again, I would reimburse. I expected to get a tracking number and an exact invoice once the parcel had shipped. But again I heard nothing. He was waiting for the money. So I sent him the money - and in the end I think he actually posted it! I don't know for sure as it hasn't arrived yet but he didn't use the service I had found saying they had "suddenly" raised their price. They hadn't - I could still see their website.

Overall I was disappointed. I had stayed 5 nights, bought their wine, given Davide a lift in MY car when his was at the workshop and this was the level of service? Knowing there might be a corporate event in offing? In fact I originally liked the place so much I was planning on going back with my family regardless of the company do.

They lost ALL of that. Obviously I'm not going to risk a company event going wrong because the manager is so small minded and petty. Nor would I subject my family to possible poor service.

Now just picture a different scenario - he finds my jacket and informs head office. Imagine they have a policy to contact the client and post back lost belongings, say up to €10. Given I'd just spent several hundred Euros this really isn't much to invest on delighting a client. It all could have gone so positively for them, I would be raving about the service and pushing all my friends to go there. They lost thousands in potential revenue just because of one petty manager. I have crossed Gatto Bianco off my list for ever.

Here is the original review.

"A little piece of paradise. Great location, wonderful accomodations and the best thing of all is Davide (the manager) and his team. The room was cleaned daily, Davide made eggs at breakfast and gave great local sightseeing tips. I stayed 4 days and was sad to leave!"