The Place
Asolo is a beautiful medieval hilltop village commanding panoramic views, a jewel of the Veneto. The Villa Cipriani, a jewel of the Sheraton Group, now part of the huge Starwood Group, is a mellow ochre-washed house on the fringes of the village, its deceptively plain entrance leading into a warm reception area which immediately imparts the feeling of a hotel with a heart (and a house with a past: it was once the home of Robert Browning). Today it is graced by the prettiest of rose-and flower-filled gardens, and meals are served on the terrace or in the restaurant overhanging the valley. As for the gracious and comfortable bedrooms, make sure you ask for one with a view, and try for an exclusive rather than a superior double. The latter are not particularly spacious, while the former include a sitting area; two rooms have terraces.
Villa Cipriani is a relaxing country hotel, whose views, comfort, peaceful garden and good food make it particularly alluring. However, some reports complain of prices that were hard to justify, also mentioning intrusive wedding parties and brash clientele. Others have been full of praise.