10353 Absolute Indulgence

We frequently advise members on hotels near a particular airport or area, but I think we should start a thread on those magic places with exceptional features and locations. I recently had some cousins of mine and friends staying at this place which is absolutely exceptional in every sense. It is expensive, I think that they paid about 15,000 euros for a week... but the place is sensational.
Perhaps we could build up a list of similar hotels/villas/palazzos where you can indulge.
Anyway, here is my contribution, the Santa Croce palace in wonderful Positano, an old monastery and bishop's residence built in the XVIII Century and totally restored.
[url=http://www.palazzosantacroce.it/]Positano luxury villa - Palazzo Santa Croce[/url]

Category
Travel & Holiday Advice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 03:36

[quote=Gala Placidia;96245]We . It is expensive, I think that they paid about 15,000 euros for a week... but the place is sensational.
[/url][/quote]

I know people who have bought houses out here for less than that! :laughs:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 04:17

I have to say that [URL="http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p87434"]this place[/URL] rather stands out - if you need 11 bedrooms at your disposal, that is. It is very handy to Pisa as well, which is a bonus. You will note that the castle owner accepts GBP only. I also see that Italian is seemingly not on the list of languages spoken there as well - strange people, no doubt... ;)

And, yes Nielo. My first house cost me £3,900 - overlooking Ravenscourt Park in London. A year or two before the Euro came into being though...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 06:29

It also looks superb, Nardini. As for the costs.... well, I think that at this level they are pretty similar. Differences relate to the number of people you can accommodate.
I guess that they would be great for something like a very private wedding, with a minimal number of guests, when you would like something luxurious and memorable.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 10:35

Many put store on this hotel as being the 'best ever'. The "Villa D'Este" at Cernobbio near the city of Como.
[URL="http://www.royal-corniche.com/index.php?action=vHomeHotels&startDate=2008-09-23&endDate=2008-10-04&hotelDbId=224&roomCapacity=2&step=chooseHotelAndRooms"][B]>HOTEL AND ROOM RATES<[/B][/URL]
I have driven around the grounds and had a 'quick peep' inside the lobby, but (sorry) my conscience would [I]never[/I] allow me to spend [B]£1560 PER DAY [/B]for a hotel room :nah:
I find such things to be totally obscene when my neighbour, who is an 86 y.o. widow, must [I]still[/I] work on the land to grow much of her food because her pension is barely €500 (£403) PER MONTH. Yes she does get 13 months pension a year and so that works out at a grand £14 PER DAY.... She could stay at the Villa D'Este there for a whole 3h. 48m with one month's pension for that! Not bad eh?

But then I feel the same about the level of 'wages' paid to sports stars (footballers) too. Maybe I should be more materialistic, but I KNOW I couldn't/wouldn't be happier than I am with what I've got - thank you very much!

Just hang on a minute while I get off my [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/braden_quinn/GIFS/MINI/smiley_soapbox.gif[/IMG]
and put my morals away for another day!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 10:46

I generally don't like staying in hotels but that one Carole is rather splendid and when I win the lottery I will treat myself to a night there. Thank you!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 13:48

The villas shown are not that expensive really - €15000 for 8 people in Positano (just outside actually, but hey) works out at €1875 each - or for 22 people at Nardinis Leopold II castle just €681 each. Seems reasonable.