Note added on: 14-06-2010
These Feedbacks have proved to be the most valuable and interesting element that we have added to the Website and I thank you very much for having taken time to give us your impressions. The Feedbacks are, invariably, accurate as Guests see La Faula in a significantly clearer light than we. It is valuable not only because there really is sometimes dog-poo on the gravel (much as we pass at least 3 times daily some rascally dog often defeats us!) and too few sun-chairs around the pool (15 new one´s will arrive at the end of the month) but also because of people´s impressions - we might be a bit sceptical of them, however, as impressions they are wholly accurate and reflect a very real view of some element of La Faula.
This is obviously the case regarding the undiscounted cost of the dinner for short stays. The cost of dinner at La Faula excluding wine and beer but including coffee, grappa and spirits is €19. For this a guest gets a first course of pasta, risotto or crespelle (savoury pancakes); a second course of meat and vegetables and a dessert. The pasta is often home-made and uses sauces including ingredients produced at La Faula (eggs, tomatoes, basil, zucchini, melanzane etc). The beef is Faula grown and desserts often are made with whole milk we get fresh from our neighbour in the morning and pasteurize and blast-chill ourselves. Obviously, one cannot compare this to a pizza meal which generally consists of a pizza, maybe with fries and a beer and which costs significantly less.
But the feedback was great because it started me thinking about what should be the true cost of dinner at La Faula. Strange as it is to recount, we have historically set the dinner price simply by discounting a little from the price of meals we have taken in local trattorie or osterie. For various three-course meals with wine that we took last winter we paid between €26-€35 each. Recently guests dined at La Subida and paid €70-€80 each per dinner. They found everything very super but were unsure if it was €80 super. Taking La Subida as the top of the spectrum I decided that we were more at the bottom and so, in Italy, this means comparing ourselves with a pizzeria. A pizzeria is, primarily, focussed on making great pizzas and other meals are a secondary concern so the obvious thing was to get in the car and take myself to the Al Collio pizzeria, our favourite. The Al Collio produces some of the best pizzas in Italy, quality is high, the managment honest and prices are keen. I sat myself down and, after explaining to Pasquale, the owner, that I was doing in-depth research to help me establish Faula dinner prices I went through the Collio menù to see what an identical meal to one produced by myself would cost. Here is the result:
Cover Charge €1, Spaghetti all Carbonara €5.50, Cotoletta alla Milanese €5.50, Mixed cooked vegetables accompaniment €3.50, Tiramisù €3, Café €1. Grand total €19.50
This is an identical meal to one found at La Faula, however, with the following differences: the eggs in the carbonara come from Faula chickens, the veal in the milanese comes from La Faula and, at least from mid-June the vegetables are from the Faula vegetable garden. Plus, the Faula dinner includes ample seconds.
After speaking with Pasquale I carried-on my research at two local restaurants where we know the owners. At both restaurants a 3 course meal costs significantly more than at La Faula but in both places the owners told me that, in general, it is most common that non-Italians take only 1 or at the most two courses. Often just pasta and dessert is taken with the dessert being shared. As we are so often on the serving-side of hospitality, Luca and myself tend, as Italians do, to enjoy a proper 3-course meal when we go out and this is the philosophy that drives dinners at La Faula.
Finally, I should mention that €19 is the undiscounted cost of dinner for guests on short-stays. At La Faula we have a large number of long-stays by people who enjoy good eating a drinking (ahem!). As is common in all sectors we reward these people for their dedication to La Faula by discounting the dinner price - it goes down to around €15 for the 3-course meal. I should mention here, as an aside, that it was these very guests who refused to tolerate our oaky wine-style and their rebellion caused our change of strategy in the winery. A change of strategy that we are very glad to have made!!
Feedback sent on: 13-06-2010
We have stayed at La Faula Once and the longest stay was for 0 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
- provide a sandbox/ sandpit for the kids (seperated from the dogs ;-) - but maybe the kids will take the golf club "sandboxes" anyway ;-)
- provide a swing (or even better 2- to avoid loud discussions among the kids)
(these things might get you even more relaxed parents/ guests than now ;-)
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
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And I didn't really like:
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On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
your charming and warmhearted house
your tasty dinners
your uncomplicated and family-friendly transaction
Pauls entertainment & Lucas capability
You 2 really make a great job!
I thought that the Volunteers were:
All considered La Faula offers good value for money.
Feedback sent on: 13-06-2010We have stayed at La Faula More than once and the longest stay was for 3 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
offer a bit more of cheese and sausage for breakfast and the price for your homemade dinner (19€!) compared to a meal in a pizeria is too expensive - even if it´s a nice place to eat. (your other prices are okay)
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
you have this wonderful pool!
and that you are there!
And I didn't really like:
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
I really enjoy the whole package any time we come!
It is really cool for kids!
I thought that the Volunteers were:
All considered La Faula has the right prices for the quality.
Feedback sent on: 18-03-2010We have stayed at La Faula More than once and the longest stay was for 5 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
find a way to heat the pool or the pool for babies - the water is usually a bit chilly for little children.
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
There was nothing we really didn´t like - sorry;)
And I didn't really like:
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
the style of the rooms, the friendliness of everybody,
I thought that the Volunteers were:
A nice bonus - makes La Faula more "international" in this rural part of Italy - it´s alwasy nice to get to know people from all over the world, so keep on having volunteers!
All considered La Faula offers good value for money.
Feedback sent on: 28-12-2009We have stayed at La Faula More than once and the longest stay was for 21 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
Paul and Luca should always be proud of the excellent and unique service that they provide and always display this pride at every opportunity. Equally, most guests come repeatedly to Faula because they have stong feelings of affection for Paul and Luca. This means that if they are experiencing problems with guests or need help from guests, they should feel good about making this clear. Most guests will feel reinforced by such honesty and feel even stronger about being in the Faula family. Those who are mad enough not to wish to belong to this group would probably not return anyway. Further, guests have no option but to drink Faula wine and beer. This is acceptable so long as the wine is as good for the money as that obtainable elsewhere and, in the case of whites and beer, is properly chilled. Investment in a new wine fridge would be a good idea, although this problem has markedly improved over the last year. Finally, guests who have lots of experience and interest in various aspects of the history of the local region might like to take other interested guests on half day or even day tours. Such excursions are a good idea for obvious reasons and involving repeating guests in this way would make it possible for Paul or Luca to do more of the same. Such helpers would have to be willing to use their own cars but I do not think that this would be a problem. Equally, if guests have interesting areas of expertise, they could be encouraged to give small talks or lead related discussions with other guests who express an interest. It should be remembered in this regard that many guests return regularly and these particularly might feel they had the time for such stimulation.
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
We do not see enough of Luca because he works so hard. However, it is understandable that since there is little that can be done about this, it is probably an absurd request. Many guests worry about the level of responsibility that both Paul and Luca work must shoulder and they need to give them both positive reinforcement for doing such a fine job. Paul and Luca need to visibly take good care of themselves and each other. Further, as the dogs get older, there is a real concern about young children and there should be more explicit rules about related contact. Finally, the films that are now on offer in the evening are an excellent idea and guests should be encouraged to bring their own offerings during their stay. However, there are times when some films are not suitable for children and the showings should not interfere with the potential for other activities (e.g. reading to children or simply reading) of guests who do not wish to watch them.
And I didn't really like:
I hated the fact that however long I stay at Faula, I at some point have to leave. I feel this way at the end of every stay. I could solve this problem through buying the property but I can´t afford it and would not know how to manage it if I could. Sometimes life can be a bitch. Of lesser concern is the infamous problem of the best bread to match the other excellent ingredients for the wonderful breakfast of offer, especially those poached fresh eggs!
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
The beauty of the property and the way that it is managed; the care and concern that Paul and Luca show towards their guests; the potential for sheer fun and relaxation that all aspects of Faula provide; the changeability of the weather at a time when so many other places in Italy as so horribly and consistently hot; the beautiful surrounding country side and the opportunity that this provides for walks and exploration; the proximity of so many interesting historical towns; the excellent local restaurants; the fact that one can make a contribution to a wonderful commercial adventure and have this recognised and appreciated by Paul and Luca; the constant way in which Paul and Luca are always looking to improve the experience of guests.
I thought that the Volunteers were:
By and large excellent, especially Ruth whom I am sure by now is helping to run the Austrian government. There is a problem of guests being subject to some Volunteers being more committed than others, especially during their transitional training. This is a minor difficulty however, as Paul keeps such a close eye on any shortcomings that may be forthcoming. Generally, having young people help to provide the excellent service at Faula is a fine idea and should be expanded where possible.
All considered La Faula is maybe even cheaper than what we had expected for the quality.
Feedback sent on: 15-12-2009We have stayed at La Faula Once and the longest stay was for 12 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
Provide more/comfier sunbeds in the pool area. We spent many (very happy and relaxing) days around the pool but I resorted to lying on the children´s lilo which wasn´t always appreciated!
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
We had so much courgette! The food was, on the whole, great and we really liked the fact that you use your own produce but a little more variety would have been even better.
And I didn't really like:
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
Everything else but especially the warmth of the welcome. Paul and Luca you are fabulous hosts and have created a little piece of heaven on earth - don´t change anything too much - just in case you spoil what you´ve got - perhaps don´t plant so many courgettes next year!!
I thought that the Volunteers were:
Wonderful - they really added to the interesting atmosphere and were very helpful.
All considered La Faula has the right prices for the quality.
Feedback sent on: 15-12-2009We have stayed at La Faula More than once and the longest stay was for 21 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
înform the guest about the impotant rule the dogs play in La Faula. So they have the possibity to educate their kids beeing careful in having contact with the dogs.
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
I don´t know.
For me is La Faula a place I like more than most places in the world. I am sure that I´m a guest and I have to respect the rules of the owner of the house. If I would have any wish I know I can communicate and there will be found a solution.
And I didn't really like:
the cinema under the Percola, beacause this a holy space for beeing alone on one hand and having good relationships on the othe hand.
I don´t need a performance there.
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
Lucas garden (and his sensivity)
and Pauls ( sorry: Spottys) way to find a solution for nearly every problem in and outside of La Faula.
I thought that the Volunteers were:
a relevant part to keep life in L aFaula, because just a sytem which is possible to react in peaple is alive
All considered La Faula has the right prices for the quality.
Feedback sent on: 01-12-2009We have stayed at La Faula More than once and the longest stay was for 5 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
provide more prosciutto, salame ... and formaggio at breakfast
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
there was not too much cheese, prosciutto, ...(see above) at the breakfast buffet ;-)
And I didn't really like:
dog shit on the gravel paths, the lawn...
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
everything else: the people, the food, the wine, the dogs, the house, the rooms, the vineyards, the swimming pool, the music, the relaxed atmosphere, the information provided, the other guests.....
I thought that the Volunteers were:
All considered La Faula has the right prices for the quality.
Feedback sent on: 01-11-2009We have stayed at La Faula Once and the longest stay was for 14 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
And I didn't really like:
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
Dear Luca & Paul,
we have received your feedback-request and we enjoy sending you this.
Now our good time at LA FAULA is over since 6 weeks. But you and your dogs are still very present.
We enjoy your wine in the evening and it has the same very good & special taste of good handwork as in september (often at home the liveliness is missing) ... so the stock will be consumed in the near future.
Franca is talking about the dogs - especially Hector, Fritz and Anna - nearly every day. In her room we have put enlarged pictures of the dogs on the wall. Some days after return the nursery nurse from the kindergarten called me and asked: "Who is Hector?" Franca started crying because she was missing the dog! At home when she is talking about them, she always gets teary-eyed. Franca is convinced that we will come back next year - and of course: she promised that to Hector!
We have thought about any improvements, but we could think of nothing to say.
Very kind regards to both of you! And of course: to your dogs!
I thought that the Volunteers were:
All considered La Faula has the right prices for the quality.
Feedback sent on: 28-10-2009We have stayed at La Faula Once and the longest stay was for 14 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
We loved la faula.
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
We loved la faula.
And I didn't really like:
If you force me to put something in this area, I want to put a remark on the stuff that some visitors at la faula left by the pool and under the pergola even when they were out or already asleep. We are very tidy people at home so it disturbed me a bit that at the pool people left empty packages of drinks or pudding,... And all sorts of toys to play with at the pool, towels, sun tan cream,...
Of course if we had stayed at la faula in an other period of the summer maybe this wouldn´t have happened. We saw that Lucca´s mother didn´t like it either that some people don´t have respect for such a beautiful place. Difficult to say however how to solve this problem. After all you are not teachers, so you don´t have to raise your guests. Maybe a little notice by the pool to ask visitors to remove their stuff after using the pool and garden.
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
We stayed at la Faula, last summer in july. We had a wonderfull holiday and appreciated la faula, Paul and Lucca, his mother and the cleaning lady very much.
We don´t have remarks for improvement.
We recommended the agriturismo to several friends. The only thing some friends don´t want is the dogs. If you have children who are afraid of dogs of course La Faula is not the best place to spend your holiday. Our kids however were very found of them.
We loved the way you can choose at breakfast if you want to stay in for dinner that day or not. And of course we loved it that we could prepare lunch in your kitchen (without doing the disches ourselves). This amongst other things of course make a holiday so much more!!!
I thought that the Volunteers were:
All considered La Faula offers good value for money.
Feedback sent on: 26-10-2009We have stayed at La Faula More than once and the longest stay was for 10 nights.
To make La Faula better for guests I suggest that you could:
- buy some more sunbeds, chairs for the pool area (we had the feeling that this summer there weren`t enough)
- you could think about mosquito nets for the windows: it would be great (even in the hot summer nights) to be able to leave the windows open while reading without all the mosquitos flying in!
- offer ice cream more often for the children instead of a dessert, even if you don`t make it by your own. You could buy cheap "big packs" and the children would be really happy to hear Paul shouting out "Time for ice cream!". They`re just happy with chocolate, vanilla, stracciatella und strawberry and all these "old fashiones" varieties (we, the adults, loved the La Faula home made ice cream in different varieties!)
During the stay at La Faula I didn't think that it was so good that:
----
And I didn't really like:
----
On the other hand, I was really impressed & keen on:
- feeling at home after a few minutes!
- the friendlyness of you, Paul and Luca!
- great rooms, the pergola, the pool area and the natural setting!
- the fresh, light and healthy dinner!
- the wonderful coffee machine to serve oneself every time!
- the cold drinking water, even if it takes some time to fill a bottle...
- the nice films under the pergola at night!
- how you care about and work with your young and international helpers!
...and a lot of things which I couldn`t all mention here! You`re doing a great job
and we`d love to come again!
I thought that the Volunteers were:
All considered La Faula offers good value for money.