Zash Country Boutique Hotel

“Zash Experience”

Ambiance and Michelin restaurant was phenomenal. Hotel room, spa and service was second to none. Citrus groves provided an earthy experience and Mt. Etna active night view was amazing.

“Zash …Confused”

My wife and I stayed at this beautifully designed hotel for 3 nights. It is in a remote location and it is tricky getting there by car. Many narrow streets but exciting none the less. The property is on an expansive citrus grove and the smell is outstanding. However, it is also directly adjacent t… more

My wife and I stayed at this beautifully designed hotel for 3 nights. It is in a remote location and it is tricky getting there by car. Many narrow streets but exciting none the less. The property is on an expansive citrus grove and the smell is outstanding. However, it is also directly adjacent to a train track and the express trains go by often. It has an incredible pool with a picturesque view of Mt Etna in the distance. The hotel has so much potential however it is confused in its corporate statement. Is it a hotel with a Michelin star restaurant or is it a Michelin star restaurant with a hotel? We booked a Unique Suite. It was more of a Quirky Suite. In fact it was more of a junior suite than a real suite. It was a room separated by a two odd partitions that just stuck out of the walls on each side. The sitting area was basically a small table and what I would describe as a day bed. A single bed probably for an extra person with a bunch of pillows on it. The bedroom bed was comfortable but placed on a platform that stuck out about 2 feet on each side. You literally had to get a running start to get into bed or contort your body to get in it. Great design but not practical at all. Good closet spaces however. Same with the bathroom. Nicely designed but awkward. Two separate showers with a toilet in between with no privacy door.. You really have to be close with your partner to be comfortable with the situation. There was a mini bar in the room that had free water, sodas and juice but nothing else. One would expect some sort of libations that you could pay for but nothing. Again very odd. How hard would it be for the beverage manger to order a bunch of 1/2 bottles of wine to supply the rooms and charge for them. The bar closes at 10:00PM. Unless the restaurant is full and busy until later. The Zash restaurant is outstanding. Our dinner was great. Every dish was perfectly prepared and delicious. The service was also good but not outstanding. We ordered a very nice bottle of wine and occasionally had to pour our own. When we were almost furnished one of the least experienced servers poured the rest of the wine in my wife’s glass and then asked me if I wanted another bottle. Are you kidding me? That is not a Michelin standard! In the end the reason for our less than stellar review is the fact that we never felt like valued hotel guests. No one really connected with us as guests. There were some exceptions, the restaurant servers Salvatore and Emanuel were gracious, kind and interested in what we had to say. They made great Compari Spritzes. Also Guilia at the front desk was accommodating and very nice. It seemed that everyone else was more interested in keeping the Michelin star than really caring for what should be their priority.. the hotel.

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“Not my place”

Hotel has a beautiful setting - Etna view on one side, sea cost on the other; the premises are surrounded by the citrus gardens. It’s an old mansion delicately restored; especially the dining area which was transformed from an old vinery. Restaurant itself is good, vine list is rich. So that’s all … more

Hotel has a beautiful setting - Etna view on one side, sea cost on the other; the premises are surrounded by the citrus gardens. It’s an old mansion delicately restored; especially the dining area which was transformed from an old vinery. Restaurant itself is good, vine list is rich. So that’s all about the strong sides. However, the place is nothing in common with feeling at home; seems it’s not designed to be a friendly “home away from home” - what I expected from a countryside hotel. It’s even surprising to meet so cold and official atmosphere in a countryside hotel. Yes, people do the job, but it’s very formal; as for me it is in the air. The final detail was on our party of 5 people departure - the restaurant was opening at 7.30; we were leaving with transfer at 7.45. So we just expected to sit with coffee and croissants for the breakfast together.. I came early, warning the guys in the kitchen gently that we are leaving soon; just it was no difficulty to pay a little attention to the matter; however, the people after 7.30 started setting the buffet with zero attention to the waiting guests. The way of communication - when we ask them to do smth for us - they just turned their backs to us and continued their slow motion around the kitchen and hall. Would like to say that I was super surprised how it is possible… So, beautiful place, but never come there again. You feel like asking the staff for audience, and they estimate if you deserve it or not. PS: Rooms are normal, but in my room 1 bathroom fittings were broken; room is acceptable , but not good.

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