Al Sole Mountain Chic: Your Unforgettable Folgaria Escape (Italy)
Al Sole Mountain Chic: My Honestly, Kinda Messy, But Mostly Wonderful Folgaria Escape (Italy) - A Review (and a Half)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans (and maybe a little grappa) on my Folgaria adventure at Al Sole Mountain Chic. Let me preface this by saying I'm not a polished travel blogger; I'm just a gal who loves a good mountain view and a decent Aperol Spritz. So, expect some rambling, probably some typos, and a healthy dose of honest opinion.
Accessibility: Reaching For the Peaks (Without Totally Falling Down)
Okay, so accessibility. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I appreciate a place that’s trying. Al Sole’s got some good points. An elevator is a lifesaver, and I noticed they had facilities for disabled guests. Now, I didn’t personally scrutinize the details (because, frankly, I was too busy trying to remember which pocket I put my room key in), but the intention seemed present. I saw exterior corridors, which are usually easier, and a 24-hour front desk is always reassuring if you need help. The car park [free of charge] was a win because public transport in mountain towns is, well, let's just say "adventurous."
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Cleanliness & Safety: So, Did I Catch Anything Aside from a Stunning View?
This is where Al Sole truly shines (pun intended!). I’m a bit of a germaphobe to begin with, so the whole pandemic situation has amplified that tenfold. They were serious about cleanliness. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Double-check. They even had a sign saying they used professional-grade sanitizing services. I saw staff trained in safety protocol and hand sanitizer was practically glued to every surface. Honestly, I felt safer there than I did at the supermarket back home.
And a little shout out to the room sanitization opt-out available. That's thoughtful, because let's be honest, some people might prefer a more "lived-in" feel. Although, after seeing their standards, I was like, "No thanks, keep it sparkling!" The safe dining setup was good too. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Individually wrapped food options? All made me feel at ease.
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Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Carb Loading in Paradise
Let's talk food! Ah, the Italian way. I'm a sucker for a good buffet, and the breakfast [buffet] was a solid start. The Western breakfast was your usual suspects (eggs, bacon, etc.), but also, the Asian breakfast? Now, I didn't try every single offering, but the attempt was appreciated.
The restaurants themselves were a treat. You could get A la carte in restaurant, or just chill at the poolside bar. The bar served a mean Aperol Spritz (a happy hour made everything better), and I especially loved the desserts in restaurant. The coffee/tea in restaurant was always available, which is crucial to my well-being. The salad in restaurant was a welcome break from pasta, though!
One HUGE highlight, especially if you’re like me and enjoy a good, long soak in the bath after a day of hiking: Room service [24-hour]. Pasta at 2 in the morning? Yes, please! I might have indulged a bottle of water or two during the night, too.
I didn't see the vegetarian restaurant, but I'm sure I missed it.
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Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spas, Saunas, and So Much More…or Maybe Just a Nap.
Okay, this is where Al Sole goes from "pretty damn good" to "holy moly, I don't want to leave." The spa area is gorgeous. You could indulge in a Body scrub or a Body wrap. I had a massage that practically melted my muscles. The sauna and steamroom offered the perfect post-hike chill. The pool with view took my breath away. I spent a good portion of one afternoon just floating in the water, staring at the mountains. Pure bliss.
There's a fitness center, which I admit I only peeked into (let’s be real, I was on vacation!). And they had a foot bath. (I'm a huge fan of foot baths. Seriously, don't underestimate them). I didn't use the gym/fitness but it looked well-equipped.
A slightly less-than-perfect experience: I had booked a specific couple's room with the view I wanted (the one in the photos!), but when I got there, I was told that room wasn't available due to a plumbing issue. Sigh. I did eventually get things sorted, but the initial hiccup was a bit disappointing. So, I'd recommend calling ahead to re-confirm your room if you have a specific request.
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Services and Conveniences: The Nitty-Gritty (And Some Random Thoughts)
Okay, so here’s the grab bag of stuff that makes a hotel work. The air conditioning worked. Daily housekeeping was efficient (my room was always sparkling clean!). Concierge was helpful. Luggage storage was handy. And I made use of the dry cleaning service (because let's face it, I wasn't about to do laundry on my vacation!).
I used the cash withdrawal service, which was useful. I also liked the convenience store, where I could quickly grab water and snacks and extra essential condiments for my room.
- Internet access was strong. I needed to work a bit (ugh, the price of freedom), and Wi-Fi [free] in my room was a lifesaver. Internet access – wireless was also available, and the internet access – LAN was available if you're into that kind of thing.
They had facilities for disabled guests: I did not personally assess these, but they appeared to be there.
Quirky Note: They had a Shrine. I have no idea why, but there it was, tucked away in a quiet corner. It was…peaceful, I guess?
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For the Kids: (And the Big Kids Too)
I didn't travel with kids, but I noticed they had Family/child friendly facilities. Babysitting services are available, and there's a kids meal option. I have to admit, the thought of a family friendly holiday in the mountains, playing family games and being all domestic, I just pictured my family, all doing the exact OPPOSITE of that.
Getting Around (And Stuff in My Room!)
The airport transfer they offer is supposedly good, but I can't comment because I drove. Car park [free of charge] was a massive plus – super convenient.
Inside My Room The room itself? Additional toilet (nice!), the air conditioning (essential in summer), a mini bar (hello, late-night snacks!), a desk (for the laptop workspace, which I didn't use – yay!), a seating area (good for reading), a private bathroom, and slippers were welcome. I liked having a coffee/tea maker, and, of course, the free bottled water. They had a hair dryer, too.
- Keys:
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We're going to Folgaria, Italy, Al Sole Mountain Chic style. Buckle up because this is NOT your perfectly polished travel blog. This is the gritty, messy, real-life version of a ski trip with a sprinkle of existential angst.
Folgaria Fiasco (And Hopefully, Triumph): A Very Human Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Luggage Debacle (aka, "Where's My Ski Jacket?!")
- Morning (Oh God, Travel): The flight. Let's just say the airline food didn't quite inspire culinary rapture. I swear, pre-packaged airplane meals are designed to single-handedly kill all joy in the world. Landed in Verona, the airport was a stylish purgatory. Packed with those annoyingly perfect families with matching luggage. (And I, of course, had the overflowing, duct-taped-in-a-desperate-attempt-to-stay-together suitcase).
- Afternoon (The Drive, The Dread): Picked up the rental car; a tiny Fiat that barely contained our oversized egos and even larger ski bags. The drive to Folgaria was stunning, though. Seriously, the Alps? Majestic. But that excitement promptly deflated when I realized I’d left my ski jacket at home. PANIC. I’m talking full-blown, cold-sweat, "I'm going to freeze on the slopes and become a human popsicle" panic.
- Late Afternoon (Al Sole Check-In, Maybe): We finally arrived at Al Sole Mountain Chic. It's… well, "chic" is a stretch. More like "comfy-ish with a view." The check-in process involved an Italian man who spoke approximately five words of English and an enthusiastic hand-waving approach. Success! We're in. And, oh joy, there's a tiny balcony overlooking the entire mountain. This is where things start to look up.
- Evening (Dinner, Despair, and…Pasta?): Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Ordered the "gourmet" pizza, which turned out to be a slightly burnt, yet still delicious, slice of heaven. The wine? Surprisingly good. My internal struggle continues: Do I cave and buy a jacket the size of a small car, or do I tough it out and channel my inner Viking? Decision pending over a second glass of red.
Day 2: Skiing – The Good, The Bad, and the Embarrassingly Awkward
- Morning (The Slopes of DOOM – or, you know, Folgaria): Okay, so I did cave. Bought a jacket. It's bright orange. I look like a construction worker. But I'm WARM! The lift line was, well, a line. Struggled getting on the ski lift. I'm a ski novice. I’ve skied… twice. The first time I fell down, the second time I fell down, the third time… I fell down.
- Mid-Morning (The Mountain, The Pain, The Glory): The mountain views were breathtaking. And, you know, I actually skied for a bit. A slow, wobbly, "please don't fall and embarrass yourself" kind of skiing. There was the one moment where I felt like an actual skier. A small victory.
- Lunch (Refueling for More Humiliation): Stopped at a mountain hut for lunch. The food was amazing: polenta, sausages, and a view that made me forget the near-death experience I had on the blue run. Watched those "expert" skiers effortlessly carving down the mountain. Vowed to practice.
- Afternoon (The Ski School, The Tears, the Triumph?): Ski school. Turns out, I'm not the most graceful. I managed to avoid a complete wipeout. The ski instructor, bless his heart, tried. He spoke with a thick Italian accent, which, honestly, made the whole thing even more endearing. He kept saying "Bravissimo!" even when I was flailing like a fish. Small victories.
- Evening (Apéro, Après-Ski, and Existential Reflections): Back to the hotel. Aprei-ski! Wandered through the tiny town. Enjoyed an Aperol spritz, reflecting on the day. Realized: I need more practice. But, hey, at least I survived!
Day 3: The Day I Fell in Love with… Cheese
- Morning (The Quest for Breakfast, and a Touch of Desperation): Woke up with sore muscles and a slightly bruised ego. Breakfast at the hotel wasn’t bad. A decent selection of cheeses, which is where the day went completely off-piste (pun VERY much intended.)
- Late Morning (Cheeeeeese!): Someone recommended a local cheese factory. We drove there. It was a tiny little place tucked away on a winding road. The owner, a jolly man with a handlebar mustache, was there. We tasted cheese after cheese. Each one a little more delicious than the last. I’m talking about this creamy Gorgonzola, my heart sang!
- Afternoon (Cheese, Cheese, and More Glorious Cheese): I bought ALL the cheese. And some local honey. And…oh god, a wheel of Parmesan bigger than my head. This is what happiness looks like. This is what life is about. Forget skiing. I could live on this cheese forever!
- Evening (The Return of Skiing, and the Continued Struggle): Reluctantly went back to the slopes. The cheese-induced contentment certainly made the skiing less intimidating. Managed a few runs without causing a complete traffic jam. Celebrated with a pasta-cheese-filled dinner.
Day 4: The Hike That Almost Killed Me (But Was Totally Worth It)
- Morning (Escape from the Slopes, Salvation on the Horizon): Enough with the skis! We decided to embrace the mountain in a different way, and do a hike. Grabbed some water bottles and snacks. The trail offered a panoramic view.
- Mid-Morning (The Ascent, The Struggle, The Doubt): The hike was steeper than advertised. Legs burning. My lungs felt like they were going to explode. I was tempted to turn back at intervals, I mean, how hard is it to sit with a glass of wine and eat cheese?
- Lunch (The View! The Triumph!): Reached the summit. The view was… indescribable. Mountains stretching as far as the eye can see. Felt like I was on top of the world. Ate our picnic lunch and felt a surge of something akin to genuine pride.
- Afternoon (The Descent, The Relief, The Beer!): Got back down the mountain. My legs were wobbling. Went to a local brewery for a well-deserved beer. Licked my wounds. This…this is what travel is about.
- Evening (Dinner, Dreams, and Deciphering the Italian Menu): Dinner at some fancy restaurant. Tried to order, managed to order something. Went to bed with happy dreams of cheese, mountains, and the utter absurdity of the day.
Day 5: The "I Don't Want to Leave" Day (And Cheese Runs Out)
- Morning (Revisiting the Slopes, with a Touch of Regret): One more run on the slopes. Maybe I was getting a little more comfortable. Maybe it was the memory of the cheese. The weather was amazing.
- Lunch (The Final Mountain Hut Meal): Went to a mountain hut. Ordered the goulash. Ordered the apple strudel. Ate like I might not eat again.
- Afternoon (Souvenir, Cheese, Goodbye): Stopped at the craft shop. Bought a ridiculous hat. Went back to the cheese factory. Bought more cheese. The owner looked at me with a knowing smile.
- Evening (Departure): Dinner. Packing. The bittersweet sadness of leaving. The knowledge that I will never see the slopes again. The realization I have no ski style I'm leaving with a heart full of memories, a suitcase full of cheese, and the inevitable promise to return.
- Late Night (Last Minute Ramblings, and The Future): Looking at pictures, and already planning the next trip. Goodbye Folgaria! Until next time, if there will be one.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. It was messy. It was a little chaotic. But it was mine. And damn, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Now, where's that cheese…
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Al Sole Mountain Chic: Your Folgaria Escape - FAQ's (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions)
Okay, so... "Mountain Chic"? Does that *actually* mean anything other than expensive lodge and a lot of fake fur?
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually ski-in ski-out, or just "close"? 'Cause that matters.
The food. Everyone raves about the food. Is it *really* as good as they say? I'm a picky eater.
What about the spa? Is it any good, or just a pretentious hot tub with a fancy name?
Is it kid-friendly? I'm traveling with a small human gremlin… I mean, child.
The bar. Tell me about the bar. Is the Aperol Spritz game strong or what?
What's the "vibe" overall? Is it stuffy, or relaxed?
