Zash Country Boutique hotel & SPA

Zash Country Boutique Hotel & SPA in Riposto, Italy, is a Michelin Key Selected property offering a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary design amidst fragrant citrus groves. Guests consistently praise its tranquil setting, stunning views, and exquisite culinary experiences.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Zash Country Boutique Hotel & SPA generally garners exceptional reviews, with a high overall sentiment. The MICHELIN Guide's verified guest feedback score is 18.8 out of 20, with high ratings for service (19.3), rooms (18.6), cleanliness (18.6), and public spaces (18.6). Booking.com guests rated it 8.4 out of 10, highlighting comfort (8.8) and staff (8.8). Many guests describe their stay as "fabulous," "excellent," "amazing," and a "highlight" of their trip to Sicily, often calling it an "oasis" or "paradise."

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly enchanted by the hotel's idyllic location, immersed in a citrus grove with captivating views of both Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. The hotel's design, which tastefully combines historic elements like lava stone and vaulted ceilings with sleek modernism, is a frequent highlight. The Michelin-starred restaurant, the serene lava-stone spa, and the beautiful outdoor pool with Etna views are consistently lauded amenities. Complimentary bikes are also available for exploring the countryside.

3. Room Quality

Zash offers 17 elegantly designed rooms and suites, emphasizing a rustic elegance and minimalist aesthetic without sacrificing comfort. Accommodations are varied, with options in the atmospheric former wine cellar, the old manor house, or modern glass-encased suites nestled amidst the citrus trees. Many rooms feature large windows and high vaulted ceilings. Some suites, such as the Pool Villa Spa, boast private plunge pools and panoramic views. Rooms are equipped with amenities like mini-bars, free bottled water, climate control, coffee/tea making kits, and Culti bath products. Reviewers have noted features such as dual shower heads and strong water pressure in bathrooms. While one older review mentioned the absence of bathrobes, fluffy terry slippers are provided.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's 1-star Michelin restaurant, "Palmento," is a significant draw. Led by Chef Giuseppe Raciti, the restaurant is set in the historic stone vats where wine was once made, offering a cozy and intimate dining environment. The cuisine is described as fantastic, focusing on creative tasting menus that blend tradition and local territory, utilizing ingredients from its own vegetable garden. Signature dishes like the "uovo pochè croccante" have received high praise.

Breakfast is also highly rated, featuring organic eggs, homemade cakes, croissants, fresh fruit, and eggs to order, served in the former wine press room or overlooking the garden. A light poolside lunch menu and room service with salads and snacks are available as alternatives to the tasting menu.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service is largely positive, with many describing staff as friendly, helpful, and attentive. Guests appreciate the "warm and highly efficient service from the concierge team" and the staff's readiness to assist with bookings for spa treatments, restaurants, or Etna activities. However, some recent reviews indicate inconsistencies, with a few guests reporting slow service at dinner, less friendly waiters, or issues with a late check-out request. One guest also mentioned an attempt to engage the owners in discussion was ignored.

6. Location & Accessibility

Zash Country Boutique Hotel & SPA is situated in Riposto, in the Catania region of Sicily's eastern coast, strategically positioned between Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. The property is nestled within a working citrus or tangelo grove, creating a fragrant and serene atmosphere. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is approximately a 40-50 minute drive away. The hotel's location is considered ideal for exploring Eastern Sicily, with Taormina about 30 minutes away, and other notable cities like Noto, Siracusa, Ragusa, and Modica also accessible. A car is generally considered essential for exploring the area, and the hotel provides free parking. An old train line runs in front of the hotel, and while audible, it is generally not perceived as a significant disturbance.

7. Value & Pricing

The hotel is described as "definitely not cheap, but fairly priced for the standard." Rates can start from around $159-$175 nightly. While the overall experience is seen as excellent value by many, some guests have found the Michelin-starred tasting menu for dinner to be expensive and not entirely worth the cost, though à la carte options were better received. The hotel is pet-friendly, with an additional charge of €20 per day.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly praised, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Inconsistent Service: Some guests have reported slow service, particularly during dinner, and perceived unfriendliness from certain staff members.
• Limited Dinner Options: Beyond the Michelin-starred tasting menu, dinner options can be limited, with some guests desiring a more casual alternative restaurant.
• Cleanliness Issues (Historical): While overall cleanliness is rated highly, one review mentioned initial issues with cleanliness in some rooms, though this seems to be an isolated or historical comment rather than a widespread current complaint.
• Unheated Pool: One reviewer mentioned the fantastic swimming pool is not heated.
• Noise: Occasional noise from garden maintenance (strimming) during the day and the nearby, albeit quiet, train line have been mentioned, though typically not as major deterrents.
• Minibar Selection: Some noted a small, standard selection of drinks in the minibar, suggesting a desire for more locally curated items.
• Accessibility of Entrance: A few guests found the main entrance a bit difficult to locate initially, requiring a buzzer press for access.

Sources

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