This could be one of the nicest stays you ever had....IF, just a few touches were implemented to Oasi Neuman (named after a monk...this place was a monastery for several hundred years). The food was generally very good though more European than American (duh...we ARE in Europe)...that is cold meat and cheeses, cereal, yoghurt for breakfast. After some legpulling, fresh fruit and boiled eggs were added for our groups weekly stay (no chef on duty at breakfast..I'm not sure about lunch). Wine is available by the glass or the bottle at dinner. The evening meal consisted of a set course of insalati, secondi, primi and dessert. Oddly bread at the table but olive oil only on request. A very nice staff but woefully undermanned at three for 60 guests. My opinion is the coffee wasn't all that good, but tastes differ. The rooms vary but are modest in size but with complete modern bathrooms..and all very stylish in their modest but tasteful schemes. I can't say how effective the heating/ac if any are as late May was so temperate we never needed to address the problem. While I KNOW we are in Tuscany to relax, it still would have been nice to have a slightly larger TV than the standard issue 13 inch, and perhaps with one movie channel in English...after a full day every day of history, etc., a little mind candy is nice occasionally. Free internet, of all things, if available just off the office in the hall. The beds are, in a word, HARD, and European standard narrow for the doubles. The views are outrageously good from many rooms...the Oasi is perched HIGH on a hill overlooking lower Cortona and about a 15 minute walk on a narrow road, down from the old town. Be sure and go up a bit when walking to Cortona, to enter through the Etruscan gates. And by the way, some of the Cortona restaurants will sell you nasty tasting, cheap "tourist" wine intially, but if you complain, they'll then sheepishly bring you something decent...we had this trick tried more than once. Management/staff uniformly very good and helpful, but not all speak English. Be sure and ask to see the magnificently restored chapel...(chapel...more like a minature cathedral !). Parking...almost nonexsistent, but you'll get by. And oh, amongst the little touches that would be nice....when you see how gorgeous the garden is, and after having walked all day, you'll dream of the day a hot tub might be considered here ! Still sunset in the garden with a glass of Montepulciano is pretty special, even if you're just in a plastic garden chair. Also nice would be an ice machine, for the little bar, off the lobby...where you can drink almost anything at a very reasonable price...but usually they have about the equivalent of 2 trays of ice cubes on hand and no more to be had. Limoncella at room temp...not so good ! Not for everyone...it's very quiet, and away from town, but certainly many will love it. If nothing else try chanting in the hallways....they have the echos of 500 years.

I was at the Oasi Neumann for a week and a half for a music festival, so I got to know the surrounding area fairly well. The hotel does in fact boast a spectacular view. Whether day or night, it's nothing short of inspiring. That said, a very similar view can be had from the town of Cortona, a 10-15 minute walk up the hill. In my opinion, the town of Cortona is not so bustling and busy that it would detract from the 'getting away' feeling, whereas the uphill climb every time you want to go into town can get old rather quickly. The accomodations are nice (room sizes vary widely) and the food was for the most part good. It's probably worth going into town for most of the food, though, as there are some terrific restaurants.

Something of an enigma: the hotel can't seem to decide whether it's still a monastery or not. The rooms are fine but austere; the public spaces are bare and instituitional. The hotel has excellent views, but is quite distinctly out of town, so not convenient if one wants a stroll around. Breakfast was dull

With 180 degree stunning views of the Val di Chiana, lush gardens, a formal dining room with excellent restaurant service and a tranquil atmosphere, the Oasi tops my list of places to stay in Italy. The only reason there were so few people staying at this former monastery must be due to the lack of air conditioning. I was lucky to miss the heat wave so this was not an issue. The staff made every effort to please me, providing special fish dishes when I told them I don't eat meat (such as rabbit). Sometimes I was completely alone in the elegant dining room with crystal chandeliers and dozens of Renaissance paintings. They charged 52 euro for the room with a view and 20 euro per meal. Any other grand residence of this kind in Italy would charge at least 300 a day! The rooms are simple but basic amenities such as hairdryer, soap, shampoo, towels and minibar are provided. When I opened the shutters I felt like I was on top of the world. The same spectacular view can be seen while strolling through the terraced gardens with fountains. So heat waves notwithstanding, the Oasi of Cortona ranks #1 in my book.