Has anyone spent any time in an Italian cycling hotel?

[Mr. Pink]

I'm researching a few. (there aren't many, although I'm open to suggestions) There are a group of hotels on the water on the Adriatic under the Riccione name. http://www.riccionebikehotels.it/en/ ,and there is a hotel in the Piedmont I find intriguing http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1642784-d1756666-Reviews-Hotel_Ristorante_Lo_Scoiattolo-Pralormo_Province_of_Turin_Piedmont.html
These are super values, from what I can see, because they are somewhat bicycle centric, with storage, repairs, guiding, maps, and good solid food and, of course, wine by the pool when you're done riding, for about 80 Euros a day. The Riccione advertises 59 Euro a day in September, but, I'd like to see the bottom line if they add a VAT tax, like I got nailed with the rental car in November. Both are a little distant from culture, though, but, that's OK, I guess. Hell, it's Italy, anyway. Gotta be a beautiful old church around the corner in most places, right?

[93legendti]

When I travelled to Italy with Breaking Away Bicycle Tours, we stayed at the Jet in Milan.

[johnmdesigner]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g635877-d2396847-Reviews-Il_Borghetto_Andrea_Tafi-Lamporecchio_Province_of_Pistoia_Tuscany.html

[Mr. Pink]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g635877-d2396847-Reviews-Il_Borghetto_Andrea_Tafi-Lamporecchio_Province_of_Pistoia_Tuscany.html

Nice, close to Florence, but, pricey.

[choke]

Here are a few I had bookmarked...

http://www.italybikehotels.it/en/all-our-hotels

http://www.ustariaposta.it/html/index_eng.html

http://www.enjoygardahotel.com/en/

http://www.hotelveronello.it/

http://www.hotelfunivia.it/default.aspx

http://www.ilperlo.com/

[dave thompson]

My wife and I did a week at the Belvedere Bicyle Hotel in Riccione, the best vacation I've ever had! Plan on going back for my 75th in a few years. Absolute first-rate, top notch, best of everything you could want. Total immersion in Italian cycling culture. Genuinely a truly great experience. Not at all distant from culture, the whole area is steeped in culture.

[miksibis]

I took a weeklong trip at the hotel dory with a group from Charlotte 2 years ago and had a wonderful time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it and in plan on returning. We went in September and found perfect weather. I rode the second from the top group daily for 70-80 miles while the top group rode slightly farther but with more climbing speed than I was capable of.
We went with the full or super board option which included all meals, table wine and beer. A bit like a cruise ship sitting at the same table for the week. The guides were very capable with cancellara's coach joining us one day.
The hotel staff went out of their way to make everyone's trip enjoyable. I came out way ahead just counting my daily beers, cappuccinos and espressos.
If I remember correctly there were 5-6 guided groups daily catering to all abilities with each group numbering about 20.
My dream trip is with hampsten's tour company through Tuscany, however until I have the necessary $4500 plus airfare for that one, the hotel dory for $2000 is on the books. Mike

[Stan Lee]

We stayed at this place three nights ago and I would highly recommend it if you are in the area. The "house" we stayed in was three bedrooms and very basic but less than $100 US a night. There is a great village with a train station less than a mile away.

http://www.fattoriaillago.com

[brenick]

I'm going back to the Belvedere for my second visit in September. Mostly folks from English speaking countries there unlike some of the other hotels in Riccione. Hospitality, riding and food are wonderful. Almost all the rental bikes were DeRosas with Campy.

[54ny77]

I've spent time in a Turkish prison, but that's not important right now...

[Mr. Pink]

I'm going back to the Belvedere for my second visit in September. Mostly folks from English speaking countries there unlike some of the other hotels in Riccione. Hospitality, riding and food are wonderful. Almost all the rental bikes were DeRosas with Campy.

I like the English speaking element here. I'm trying, but, it will take a long time to be conversant in Italian, and, I'm old. Beautiful language, but, I need to at least have someone around to translate "It hurts real bad right here", or, "I'm really hungry', or, well, "left, or right at the fork?".

[dave thompson]

The tour guides, as well as the entire staff, are mulch-lingual and quite fluent in English. During our stay there, we had no difficulty making our needs/wants/desires known.

The Belvedere is the cycling hotel in Italy, as rated by Trip Advisor and rightly so. The way they cater to cyclists and their significant others is first class. The food is excellent, the poolside parties are great, the brunch at Marina's summer house is superb. The hotel is a very short block to the beach. An after dinner walk beachside to downtown Riccione for gelato or vino is a pleasant way to end your. day.

We flew into Rome, caught a train to Riccione at the airport and the Belvedere picked us up. The whole week there was perfect.

If you do an advanced search on Paceline with Belvedere as your searchword, you'll read highly complimentary commentary about it.

[Mr. Pink]

Thanks. Sounds great.

I really wish there was a place like this right next to Siena, though.

[dave thompson]

Siena is not that far. Spend your week in Riccione, rent a car a spend a few days wandering around Siena and Tuscany.

[Mr. Pink]

Siena is not that far. Spend your week in Riccione, rent a car a spend a few days wandering around Siena and Tuscany.

Yeah, that's sort of the plan, but, again, I would feel better with a host who caters to the bicycling market, with the hospitality, guiding and the storage/workroom/repairs.

Cars are expensive, too, which makes these hotels a good value. I just spent $600 for six days use of a Fiat 500 over there. There are a ton of fees, and then they top it off with a 22% VAT tax on the bottom line. Furgetabout gas prices. I spent 65 dollars to fill the tank on that little guy from 1/4 full, twice. But, if you're going to see and live in the country, you have to have one. I figure that, with a car, the range of bike loops fanning out from Siena is immense.

[roydyates]

My wife and I did a week at the Belvedere Bicyle Hotel in Riccione, the best vacation I've ever had! Plan on going back for my 75th in a few years. Absolute first-rate, top notch, best of everything you could want. Total immersion in Italian cycling culture. Genuinely a truly great experience. Not at all distant from culture, the whole area is steeped in culture.
One click and I REALLY want to go there.
Thanks for the tip.
...Roy

[jemoryl]

Yeah, that's sort of the plan, but, again, I would feel better with a host who caters to the bicycling market, with the hospitality, guiding and the storage/workroom/repairs.

Cars are expensive, too, which makes these hotels a good value. I just spent $600 for six days use of a Fiat 500 over there. There are a ton of fees, and then they top it off with a 22% VAT tax on the bottom line. Furgetabout gas prices. I spent 65 dollars to fill the tank on that little guy from 1/4 full, twice. But, if you're going to see and live in the country, you have to have one. I figure that, with a car, the range of bike loops fanning out from Siena is immense.

Next time you might look into economycarhire.com - one fixed rate, you get a voucher, hand it to the rental agent and that is it. Italy still looks expensive for car hire relative to Spain, Portugal, etc. Diesel is also a cost saver in many Euro countries, and the modern ones perform quite well.