Zash Country Boutique Hotel & Spa

Bellissima struttura immersa nel verde, gestita benissimo con cura e passione. Ambienti puliti e ordinati. Personale deputato all'accoglienza veramente preparato e gentile. Due sole osservazioni, una sulla logistica derivante dai binari ferroviari praticamente adiacenti e ci vuole qualche ora per abituarsi al passaggio dei treni, l'altra sul personale che effettua la pulizia delle camera che arrivando al mattino è risultato chiassoso e schiamazzante di fatti svegliandomi. Ritorneremo sicuramente anche perché il ristorante stellato merita più di una visita.

It’s a shame this review isn’t higher. If I could sum up zash in two words it would be “untapped potential”. This property is stunning, and the food is excellent, but for the price of a private villa at $1190 euros it’s not worth it. As a fan of modern architecture, it is sight to marvel. But ultimately we felt the experience lacking due to the lack of service and minor details. PROS -Beautiful property is idyllic citrus groves -Private villa has its own pool, sauna and steam room -Amazing restaurant (good service at the bars and restaurant) CONS -We found a giant hairball right when we came into our room by the bedside table -Hotel staff comes off disgruntled and generally not helpful -Turn down service was virtually non existent (we left our key card in room and they didn’t clean anything and glasses sat on our deck for 2 days) -Nothing was self explanatory in room and the staff wasn’t very helpful (ac unit, sauna, etc) -then minor things were just icing on the cake, like when we left our kindle and it was just we can’t help figure it out (again minor but at that point we grew accustomed to generally unhelpful staff)

This is a superb small hotel, situated in a large orchard at the foot of Mount Etna. The room was fine--minimalist but large enough and with an excellent shower, but the reason to stay here is the outdoors. The pool is extraordinary, large enough for lap swimming and surrounded by comfortable lounge areas--and a terrific bar. And the restaurant is incredible: 2 star food in a 1 star setting (they're building a new restaurant facility on the property. We would return here in a heartbeat.

Ok but overpriced. It’s a good property but doesn’t deliver at this price level. spa is probably the best part of the resort, although it’s very small. We had water leaks in our room after a storm, toilet amenities are cheap, Pool area is grammable but uncomfortable. Breakfast is very good. Dinner disappointing for a Michelin Star (separate review).

Great boutique hotel. Fine, small, only 16 rooms, beutifull rooms and grounds. Great restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Perfect romantic get away. Good service, great pool, close to amazing Etna park and mountain.

Zash is an extraordinary jewel in terms of both food and service, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend staying there; I'm already planning to return. Let me deep dive into this a little. My husband and I stayed there for ten days in June 2023 - longer than the average stay, but we were looking to check out of the world and relax. And this is exactly what Zash offers. The food is incredible, as you'd expect of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The menu offers three set meals of five to seven courses, but don't be put off: they are happy to let you mix and match between them, or simply pick fewer courses at an a la carte price. The service was impeccable, and the sommelier was extremely knowledgeable about wines: he was also smart in assessing budget requirements and matching that to your preferences. The complimentary breakfast was amazing, too: fresh pastries and savories every day, plus eggs, pancakes, etc. as requested, and the staff could not have been more thoughtful or attentive. Other reviewers mentioned the railway line near the hotel, and I was a bit alarmed when I read this having already booked, but I needn't have worried: it was more of a low rumble in the distance (I thought it was thunder at first) and the trains are very short so although frequent, it never lasted long. I wasn't once woken by trains at night or during my siesta, but those who are very light sleepers might want to invest in a "white noise" phone app, though I don't think you'll need it. Our room (a garden room very close to the main building) was wonderful and clean, and I loved the glass box shower (though we didn't really need two separate ones!) The only negative was the bed. Although it was a king and beautifully clean, the mattress was a bit of a nightmare. Admittedly I'm used to a Tempurpedic memory foam mattress, but this was sprung and I felt every single spring. Didn't sleep well, and very painful when I got up in the morning, but those less sensitive probably won't mind. As for the overall look and feel of the place, you won't find more beautiful gardens, and the pool was gorgeous. The double sunbed sofas were very comfortable (I should have slept on them at night!) though I'd say they were just starting to look a bit tired and one or two had small rips. I suspect Zash is just recovering after the trauma of the Covid pandemic, so I'd cut it a little slack, but a bit of low-level investment is probably due by next season. Finally, the location. Zash is off the beaten track, and frankly in a rather poor area. I never felt this was a safety issue, but the amount of trash thrown by the roadside was shocking, and a bit smelly when you had the car windows down. And yes, you definitely need a car if you want to go anywhere - nothing is in walking distance, but there are plenty of taxis. As for day trips, I'd recommend Taormino (a mountain-top town half an hour's drive away) - though it's pretty touristy, it's definitely worth a trip. The second season of White Lot