Escape to Paradise: Hotel il Cigno, Perugia's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Hotel il Cigno, Perugia's Hidden Gem - A Review (and a Rant)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at Hotel il Cigno in Perugia, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. "Hidden Gem," they call it. And honestly? They're not wrong. It's hidden alright. (More on that later, when I talk about the joy of navigating Italian cobblestone with a suitcase.) But, beyond the slightly labyrinthine approach, this place has some serious charm. Let’s dive in, shall we? And yeah, I’m going to be honest. This isn't your perfectly polished, corporate review. This is real.
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Cobblestones
Right, let's rip the band-aid off first. Accessibility. They say they have facilities for disabled guests. And they do. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? I saw ramps. But getting to the hotel? That's where things get… interesting. Perugia, bless its heart, is built on a hill. A steep hill. And those charming, ancient streets? Cobblestones. So, if you're reliant on a wheelchair, or even just have mobility issues, definitely call ahead and clarify the specifics of their accessible routes. Because I saw some struggles. And trust me, the view from the top is stunning, but it’s not worth a potential disaster. The Car park [on-site] is a lifesaver, though – once you get there.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (Mostly)
Okay, this is where Il Cigno truly shines. Post-pandemic, I'm a paranoid germaphobe, and I was impressed. Anti-viral cleaning products? Yup. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. Hand sanitizer everywhere you looked. They even had room sanitization opt-out available, which I loved. It felt genuinely clean and safe. They’ve got the Hygiene certification and the staff is obviously trained in safety protocol. The staff was wearing masks and I felt like they genuinely cared about keeping their guests safe. They even had Individually-wrapped food options for the breakfast buffet, which was a nice touch. They take the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter seriously. They have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property for added security.
Rooms: Cozy, Comfortable, and… Well, Let's Talk About the View
My room? Lovely. Air conditioning? Essential. Free Wi-Fi? Hallelujah! (And it actually worked, which is a miracle in itself). Air conditioning in public area? Yes. I had a non-smoking room, with a window that opens. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in, and the bathrobes were a nice touch. They had a hair dryer, which is a must for me, and plenty of towels. The bed was comfortable. They have bathrobes and slippers. They also have a desk and a laptop workspace. They offer complimentary tea. I also appreciated the in-room safe box and the refrigerator. The only real downside? My “partial view” of the valley was more of a “glimpse through a tree” situation. But hey, you can't win them all. I’d recommend asking for a room on a higher floor.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Pasta, People, and Perfection (Almost)
The food? Oh, the food. This is where Il Cigno truly excels. The restaurants are fabulous. They have an A la carte in restaurant menu with International cuisine in restaurant. There is a Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Happy hour. The Buffet in restaurant was great, even with the precautions. And the Breakfast [buffet] was a delightful way to start the day. The Breakfast service was excellent, and the Vegetarian restaurant was a bonus for my friend. The Poolside bar was fantastic! They serve Coffee/tea in restaurant. The Desserts in restaurant are to die for.
My favorite? The Poolside bar. Sipping a Negroni while looking at the rolling hills of Umbria? Pure bliss. The Snack bar was a lifesaver for those mid-afternoon hunger pangs. The Room service [24-hour] was a godsend after a long day of sightseeing (and navigating those darn cobblestones!). The Bottle of water provided in the room was a much-appreciated touch.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Poolside Bliss
This is where Il Cigno really shows off. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous. The Pool with view is spectacular. I spent a solid afternoon just floating around, staring at the scenery, and feeling utterly relaxed. (And yes, I may or may not have had another Negroni or two.) The Spa/sauna is a must-do. They have a Spa. They have a Sauna. I indulged in a Massage and a Body wrap. The Fitness center is well-equipped, although I’ll admit, after all that pasta, I mostly just looked at it. They also offer a Foot bath.
Services and Conveniences: From Cash Withdrawal to… Well, More Cobblestones
The hotel offers a ton of services. Concierge? Super helpful, especially when I was trying to figure out how to get to that hidden trattoria that everyone raved about (another cobblestone adventure!). Daily housekeeping? Spotless. Laundry service? Essential after a pasta-fueled trip. Cash withdrawal is available. They have a Convenience store. The Elevator was great for getting to the upper floors, but getting to the hotel itself was another story. The Luggage storage was also handy. Doorman was there to help out. I found the Invoice provided very helpful.
For the Kids: Babysitting and Family Fun
While I wasn't travelling with kids, I did notice they had Kids facilities and Kids meal. They have a Babysitting service. They're definitely Family/child friendly.
Getting Around: Airport Transfer, Taxi and More
They offer Airport transfer, which I’d highly recommend if you’re arriving by air. The Taxi service is also available. Bicycle parking is there for those who are feeling active. They also have Car park [free of charge], which is a major bonus.
The Quirks, the Imperfections, and the Overall Vibe
Okay, so it's not perfect. The decor is a little… classic. Think “Italian Grandma’s House” meets “Luxury Hotel.” But honestly? That's part of its charm. It's not sterile or overly polished. It feels… real. The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful, even when dealing with my terrible Italian. And the overall vibe is relaxed and welcoming. It's not a party hotel, but it's the perfect place to unwind, soak up the Umbrian countryside, and eat your weight in pasta.
The Rambling Conclusion (and the Persuasive Offer)
Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Without hesitation. Just be prepared for the cobblestones. And maybe pack some comfortable shoes.
Here's the deal:
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Toronto's Most Stunning Room: Yonge & Sheppard Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going to Perugia, Italy, and we're going to do it wrong – or, at least, we're going to do it us. This is the kind of trip that ends with you accidentally ordering a whole roasted boar and loving every single greasy second of it. Hold on tight!
Hotel il Cigno, Perugia - A Messy, Wonderful Adventure (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cobblestones)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pizza Predicament (aka, Jet Lag is a Bitch)
- Morning (ish): Land at Rome Fiumicino. Okay, so the flight was a red-eye, and I swear, the guy in 27B was snoring like a chainsaw. I'm operating on about three hours of sleep and a prayer. The taxi ride to the train station… well, let's just say Roman traffic is a contact sport.
- Mid-morning: Train to Perugia. Found a seat, thank GOD. I'm pretty sure I saw a dog wearing sunglasses on the platform. Italy is already delivering.
- Afternoon: Arrive in Perugia! Hotel il Cigno. It’s charming, I'll give it that. The lobby smells faintly of lemon and old books. Check-in was… let's say the lady at the desk had the patience of a saint, because I was a walking zombie fueled by caffeine and pure desperation. My room? Quaint. By which I mean, the bathroom is smaller than my closet back home. But hey, character, right?
- Late Afternoon: The Great Pizza Predicament. Okay, so I'm starving. Google Maps led me to a "highly-rated" pizzeria. It looked promising. Except… no English menu. My Italian is atrocious. I managed to mumble "pizza… Margherita?" The waiter, bless his heart, just stared at me. I pointed at ingredients and somehow, through a combination of hand gestures, broken Italian, and sheer dumb luck, I ordered a pizza. It was glorious. Absolutely, ridiculously glorious. The crust was perfect. The tomatoes sang. I devoured the whole thing in about five minutes, feeling the jet lag melt away with every cheesy bite. Then, disaster. They don’t take credit cards. Panic! I had enough Euros for a gelato, and that was it. I practically begged the waiter to take a check. He just laughed! Then another patron, a sweet old lady, paid for the pizza. My faith in humanity was restored!
- Evening: Wandered the streets. Perugia is up! Seriously, prepare your calves. So many hills. Saw a beautiful fountain, got lost in a maze of tiny alleys. I swear, every corner you turn, there’s another breathtaking view. Found a tiny bar, ordered a glass of local wine (Sagrantino, I think? It was red, and delicious). Feeling a little buzzed. Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the sheer beauty of the place, but I was already in love.
Day 2: The Umbrian Art Adventure (and the Case of the Missing Gelato Spoon)
- Morning: Woke up feeling surprisingly good! Jet lag, you are defeated! Had breakfast at the hotel – the coffee was strong enough to wake the dead, and the croissants were flaky perfection. Spent a good 20 minutes just staring out the window at the view. It's the kind of view that makes you want to write bad poetry.
- Late Morning: The Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria. Okay, I'm not a huge art person, but the collection is impressive. The paintings… they’re just gorgeous. Felt a genuine sense of awe staring at some of the works. (Okay, maybe I'm becoming an art person!) Spent a solid hour just wandering around, getting lost in the stories behind the paintings.
- Lunch: Tried to be adventurous and find a "local" spot. Ended up in a tiny trattoria that felt like stepping back in time. The pasta was homemade, the sauce was rich, and the owner kept trying to feed me more food. I didn't understand a word of Italian, but I felt completely welcome. After lunch, I went and got gelato.
- Afternoon: The gelato, the gelato! Okay, this deserves its own section. I got a scoop of pistachio and a scoop of hazelnut. Pure bliss. Walking back to the hotel, savoring every bite, I realized… I’d lost the spoon. Seriously? I blame the gelato-induced euphoria. I'm not proud of this, but I may have licked the remainder of the gelato directly from the cone. Don't judge me.
- Evening: Decided to be a "local" and got myself lost again. Went to the Etruscan Well (Pozzo Etrusco). Amazing place. It’s like stepping back in time. Got a little bit freaked out by how deep it is, ngl. Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel (thank god for recommendations, or I'd be eating bread and cheese for every meal). Again, the food was incredible. The wine flowed. The conversation was lively (even though I understood maybe half of it). Felt like a real, actual, genuine Italian experience.
Day 3: Perugia Underground and the Holy Boar (aka, My Food Revelation)
- Morning: Explored Perugia Underground. This place is seriously cool. You walk through the ruins of an ancient fortress. It's a bit eerie, a bit claustrophobic, but also incredibly fascinating. Makes you realize how much history is packed into this city.
- Lunch: I'm done with being "adventurous." Went back to that same tiny trattoria. The owner practically hugged me. Comfort food, Italian style.
- Afternoon: Okay, so this is where things get really interesting. I was wandering through a market, and the smell of roasting meat hit me. Like, BAM! Right in the face. I saw it. The Holy Boar. A whole roasted boar, glistening and glorious, turning slowly on a spit. I stared at it. I drooled. I knew, in my heart of hearts, that I had to eat it.
- The Holy Boar Experience: I found a table at a nearby restaurant. They served the boar. With roasted potatoes. And a simple, rustic sauce. I ordered a glass of red wine. And then, I ate. I devoured. The boar was tender, succulent, and intensely flavorful. The potatoes were perfectly crisp. I ate until I could barely breathe. I looked like a pig. I didn't care. This was food, people. Actual, glorious, life-affirming food. This was the moment I realized I wasn't just visiting Italy; I was living it.
- Evening: Stumbled back to the hotel, utterly stuffed and completely happy. Sat on the balcony, watched the sunset over the Umbrian hills, and just… breathed. This trip? It’s messy. It’s imperfect. It’s the best damn trip I’ve ever taken.
Day 4: Departure (and a Promise to Return for More Boar)
- Morning: Last breakfast. Saddest croissant ever. Packed. Said goodbye to the lemon-scented lobby.
- Late Morning: Train to Rome. The journey back felt a lot faster than the journey here. Maybe it's because I was still full of boar.
- Afternoon: Flight home. Already planning my return. Because I need more boar. And more gelato spoons. And more of this messy, wonderful, utterly unforgettable Italy.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn’t perfect. I got lost. I ate too much. I probably embarrassed myself more times than I can count. But it was real. It was alive. It was… well, it was me. And that, my friends, is what makes a trip truly unforgettable. Now, excuse me, I'm going to start planning my next adventure. Ciao!
Escape to Paradise: Vido Lodge & Conference Centre, Polokwane
Okay, spill. Is Hotel il Cigno *really* as good as the hype? Is it a fairytale, or a tourist trap?
The location? How difficult is it to get to? Is it *actually* "hidden"?
Let's talk rooms. What should I expect? Are they all the same?
The food! What about the food? Is the restaurant as good as everyone says? (Because, let's be honest, that's *crucial*.)
Is it good for families? Or more of a romantic getaway type of place?
The pool. Is it as idyllic as it looks in the photos?
Any other tips or things I should know *before* I go? Hidden fees? Secret downsides?
The "vibe." What's the overall feeling of the place? Is itSave On Hotels Now
