I stayed at the hotel for three nights. The views are lovely. The hotel is dated but clean. When I arrived it was cold and the owner said the heat wouldn't be turned on until evening. I spent most of the first afternoon and evening in my room in bed trying to stay warm. The owner also seemed to be overwhelmed at times and I felt as if my requests for an internet password etc. were a burden. On the bright side, the dinner's were wonderful and he seemed to be quite cheerful and accommodating during the evening meal.

We have just returned from three days in this hotel - whilst visiting Cortona. The rooms are comfortable and clean. We were given the choice of three rooms and picked the one with the best views over the valley below. The food was really good - we brought over everyone we knew from a family wedding for dinner) - try the wild boar tagliatelle and the local wine -made by a friend of the owner. Really great country cookery. The views are superb and if you listen carefully you can hear dogs howling in the middle of the night in the valley below as they hunt wild boar! The owner is a wonderful host and anxious to do anything that will make your stay more comfortable. They really could not have been nicer or more accommodating and the service was wonderful. This hotel is about 20 mins up the hill from Cortona - the views on the way are amazing - so it's well worth the trip. You can eat breakfast at the front of the hotel in the sun in the morning and then lunch and dinner on the terrace at the back - overlooking the forested mountains below. This is really good value for the money.

Stayed for 3 nights here with Franco and his family. Lovely traditional inn, great views, peace and quiet but easy reach from the lovely town of Cortuna. Room was clean, simple, cool and peaceful and great contrast to some of the bustle and heat of the Tuscan towns. We went for the half board option ... even if your Italian isn't completely up to the mark, just go for it. you won't be dissapointed or go to bed hungry. Franco and co also very welcoming and proud to help you discover this lovely region.

If ever you want to experience true "Italian" life and the people who make Italy the pleasure it is to both visit and live, I recommend you take your party to the Albergo Ristorante Portale. Located about 10 kilomters northeast of Cortona, in the beautiful Appenines mountains, the property provides the perfect tranquil setting for the true holiday experience. It's location will allow those who want the cultural experiences of the many Tuscan/Estruscan surrounding historical sites to take the day trip to their destination and return to one of the most peaceful, beautiful settings in central Italy.

To complement the quality of the hotel, Franco Lunghi and his lovely wife (and staff) made the dining experience "heavenly" with a sumptous mixture of "Italian" cusine that is sure to please the palate of everyone in your party. As we got to talk with Franco, we later learned that Frances Mayes ("Under the Tuscan Sun") used his whole staff to cater the premiere of the film in Los Angeles.

All who read this will wonder what the title has to do with the property. It was quite by accident that my wife and two friends happened on to this property. We were going to Cortona, by way of San Sepolcro, and decided to take the mountain route. We had climbed for quite some time when we came upon a dog (if you're a dog lover you'll understand what we mean), who was standing in the middle of the road looking dazed, confused and was obviously hurt. Our friend, who is even more of an animal lover than all of us put together, practically jumped out of the car to it's rescue. It had a collar and ID, but in Italian, and we knew that it was a hunting dog, since it's around the time of year when hunters use this type of dog for hunting wild boar. So wirh some coaxing, prodding, and finally just picking him up, we put him in the car and by a stroke of luck (some would say karma) we found Franco at the Albergo Portole. He took him and fed him, tracked down the owner and set up to have him returned. The rest as they say is history.

Go see Franco and say hello from the "canne" lovers!

RB & SB
Gavignano, Italy