Relais San Vigilio Al Castello

Popped in here for coffee on way back down to citta alta. We were able to sit on the terrace on a sunny December afternoon and take in the beautiful views over bergamo and beyond. Order 2 coffee and revived a plate of delicious home made cookies. They really went down a treat.

When looking at the hotel website and the idyllic setting, it is reasonable to expect that a luxurious experience will be enjoyed as a guest. Instead, we got a circus, and it was massively disappointing. Without prior notice to us, the hotel had booked out the entire first day of our 2-day stay with a birthday party for a giant group of screaming 6-year-olds, babies and their families. The green lawn, terrace, and balcony you see in the website photos was completely taken over by them, and the screaming and yelling went on all day and into the early evening. There was no possibility to sit on the terrace and enjoy a glass of wine or the view, or hold a conversation. When they finally served a limited-menu dinner, some of the same screaming, out of control kids staying at the hotel were allowed by their parents to run back and forth around our table. Never in a million years would we have expected the entire place would be rented out to host a kiddie birthday party and had we known we would have canceled-- obviously why they did not notify us in advance. The room and food were also a disaster. The very small Superior room had one window and no ventilation whatsoever-- after being instructed by the person who showed us to our room how to operate the A/C system and fan, it did not work. After a very stuffy and uncomfortable sleepless night on the hard-as-a-rock mattress, we asked the front desk what was wrong with the HVAC system. We were told a different story this time - that "the Italian government declares it to be illegal to use the system in May and June" (not even the circulating fan is allowed) and so it was disabled and the second night was just as bad as the first. When we opened the window to get some air into the hot room, the ENTIRE WINDOW CASEMENT gave away from the wall and nearly fell on us -- it could have been a terrible outcome had we not caught the window and frame as it fell and pushed it back into position-- and hoping it wouldn't crash later in the night on us in bed. The "cooked to order" breakfast mentioned by another reviewer is a half-hearted Hampton Inn-style affair, cooked at a particular time and left on the table. If you are not there at the exact moment to eat it, it just sits there on the table till stone cold. there is no wait staff or service. The very expensive evening meal was so poorly executed we left midway through it and went elsewhere for dinner. When we asked the waiter for some olive oil and balsamic for our bread, he said no, "just use the sauce in the bottom of your bowl". This is Italy, and no olive oil is allowed?? We paid full price for both the room and the meals, with no price accommodation offered by the hotel. I would never, ever recommend this extremely expensive and poorly managed hotel to anyone -- except perhaps to six-year olds. PS. Don't even get me started on the "cuckoo bird" that incessantly coo-coos non-stop at 5:45am every day right outside the window!

An exceptional hotel, the all-round experience could not be faulted. All of the staff were incredible, they couldn’t have been more accommodating throughout our stay. Arriving late on the first night, having not eaten, we were presented with a great array of snacks to go with our drinks from the bar, the perfect welcome and it set the tone. Breakfast service was extremely efficient, great options, everything delicious. Late night drinks (local) by the roaring fire were a treat. It was a wrench to leave and we hope to return soon.

It is hard to imagine a more perfect small hotel. Simple but beautiful rooms with a gorgeous view; lovely garden; perfect fairy-tale location perched above the old city; warm, personal service; breakfast cooked to order; excellent restaurant down the street. Peaceful and comforting. Stay here; you won't be sorry.

Beautiful hotel, deserves 5 stars, breakfast is included and amazing. Easily accessible, you take bus 1 and the funicular train san vigilio. Beautiful views.

Wow! Everything about this hotel is exceptionally wonderful. The most beautiful grounds, helpful and kind staff, special rooms and bathrooms (Villeroy Boch) fresh quality bed linen, unbelievable location, breath-taking views and the breakfasts are exquisite. First class, five stars and much gratitude.