I stayed in a standard queen room (one queen, one single) overnight only. The building doesn't have a lift and I was very grateful for the assistance of the check-in staff who carried my heavy case upstairs for me. Size-wise my room was very cosy: the single bed made the room seem overcrowded and the bathroom was tiny. The bathroom had a number of tiles in the shower. The floor tiles were also seriously cracked. Everything was spotlessly clean and unbelievably quiet - I didn't hear even a door closing through the night. Looking out the window in the morning onto green fields - very peaceful. When I went to the Courtyard Cafe for breakfast, it was empty - now I know why! There was no hot breakfast available, even though the buffet set-up had a chafing dish and bain marie with tongs ready to go. The continental breakfast had the usual selection, including a tray of small danish pastries that looked like they'd been under the heat lamp for quite a while. I gave them a miss and went for some toast. I bypassed two or three of the butter portions that looked like they had something caramelised on the outside of the packet and then discovered that the two I'd taken contained butter that had been previously melted and solidified again ... YUK!! The coffee machine was out of order. Thankfully, airpots provided a decent coffee. Despite the drawbacks, I'd probably stay here again if I had a larger room and didn't have to have breakfast there.

We stayed three nights to access the Huter Valley wineries. Our soom was spacious and clean. We had dinner in the motel restaurant on two nights and found the food to be of outstanding quality with food and service. The old world charm is being restored with more modern amenities. The staff were only to pleased to help in making our stay enjoyable.

We stayed at the Monte Pio for a couple of nights in January 2011.

The hotel is under new management and so an upgrade is imminent. Unfortunately it hadn't quite happened when we were there and the pool needed a good clean and the decor needs a serious upgrade. However this place has great potential. The rooms are a good size with well-stocked minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. The staff were very pleasant and happy to help. The cooked breakfast was very tasty and made to order. Wi-fi would be a welcome addition.

Monte Pio is slightly out of the wine-making district and could do with a minibus to shuttle people around the area. Having said that the location of the hotel is just off the main road, is easy to get to but is nice and quiet.

Did the spa room package with dinner breakfast and spa suite with champaigne and chocolates on arrival. Was a nice experience and nice to spoil my lady on her birthday without breaking the budget. If you're looking for somewhere modern, its not the place for you. It's also a long way from the wineries if that is what you are after.