Agriturismo "Borgo del Gelso"

Borgo del Gelso is an extraordinary place. A wonderful place where relaxation comes naturally. The enchanting location offers sweeping views of the vineyards and the Roman countryside, with beautiful sunsets. Maria Pia welcomed us with great warmth and kindness. The rooms are well-appointed, without TVs, but in a place like this, you can do without them. The breakfast was good. We'll be back!

An Agriturismo to Avoid: Disappointment and Discomfort in the Countryside We stayed at an agriturismo nestled in the beautiful countryside, but unfortunately the positives stop there. Despite the owner's apparent kindness, we found her reluctance to address any complaint was nothing short of "gritted-limp," resulting in unprofessional and even rude responses. Room Far from Expectations and Lack of Cleanliness The room assigned to us was far from the description provided. The walls had large cracks and obvious mold, with an entire section clumsily covered by a painting. This, combined with the persistent smell of damp, makes the property absolutely not recommended for those with respiratory problems. The cleanliness was drastically inadequate. We didn't trust the towels provided because they smelled bad, opting instead for our own. The bathroom, tiny and asymmetrical, was covered in limescale and lit by such dim lighting that it was difficult to even see in the shower. The toilet, not properly secured to the floor, posed a potential hazard, and the seat, old and cracked, was also full of limescale. A terrible smell coming from the pipes forced us to sleep with the windows open for the duration of our stay. The room had two doors. The one leading to the balcony was locked with a large padlock and was difficult to open, disturbing anyone who was sleeping. The other door, leading to the corridor, had a handle that made a terrible noise every time it was used, just like the mesh doorknob on the bathroom door. At night, the room was poorly lit, with dim lights and switches out of reach from the bed, as were the power outlets. There was no phone coverage, and the Wi-Fi provided by the property was terrible, making it impossible to connect. The room's thin, dirty windows and flimsy curtains meant that the dawn light and the sound of donkeys would wake us every morning. The terrace was also in terrible condition, with dirty gratings, cobwebs everywhere, and unkempt planters. The room lacked essential amenities such as a TV, kettle, refrigerator, and coffee maker. The chairs had stained and dirty upholstery, the floor was dusty, and we even found two very dirty glasses. Although the owner brought us three more upon request, these were also so dirty we had to wash them ourselves. Pet-Friendly Only on Paper The agriturismo boasts of being "pet-friendly," but our experience was the exact opposite. We informed the owner that our dog was recovering and needed some peace and quiet, but her numerous dogs were constantly disturbing us, even entering our room. The owner's response to our legitimate complaint ("...it wasn't a tiger that came in...") was extremely unprofessional and disrespectful, demonstrating a complete lack of sensitivity. We paid to be treated this way, which is truly disappointing. Unfortunately, the large garden was not accessible to our dog due to the constant intrusive presence of the property's dogs. Poor Breakfast and Mediocre Quality The breakfast offered was extremely poor, consisting mainly of supermarket products and coffee served in a thermos. In Summary: Never Again The only positive aspect of this property is its rural location. Otherwise, the experience was a succession of inconveniences, unhygienic conditions, non-existent services, and management with little attention to guests' needs. In conclusion, we will never return to this agriturismo.

Borgo del Gelso is a peaceful retreat nestled in the Roman countryside, just one kilometer from Olgiata. The structure, an old farmhouse, is delightful in its simplicity, and inside, great attention to detail is evident in the furnishings and decor. The owner, Maria Pia, and her sweet dogs welcome you warmly, yet discreetly. It's an ideal place to find the serenity that is increasingly being stripped away from us in the often hysterical frenzy of our society. I recommend it to anyone looking for a few days of tranquility and simplicity; I myself hope to return soon, perhaps in the cooler months. Marco Pierin (former principal dancer at La Scala in Milan)