Turin's Hidden Gem: Hotel Vittoriano - Unforgettable Italian Stay
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, slightly messy, potentially life-altering experience of the Hotel Vittoriano in Turin. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter hotel reviews. This is real talk, from a real person, stained with real coffee and a healthy dose of Italian passion. Think of it as a travel blog, but with more exclamation marks (because Italy!).
Turin's Hidden Gem: Hotel Vittoriano - Unforgettable Italian Stay – REALLY Unforgettable! Let's Get Messy!
First off, let’s be honest. I don't usually write hotel reviews. Mostly I'm a pizza and gelato aficionado, but this place… this place did something to me. So, here we go, unfiltered and as Italian as a Vespa.
Accessibility (Sort Of, Maybe…):
Okay, so let’s start with the nitty and the gritty. Accessibility. This is critical to some people. The Vittoriano tries. They list "Facilities for disabled guests," and have an elevator… but, let's be real, Italy. Chances are, you'll encounter some cobblestones somewhere. Ask specifically about your needs when you book. Be prepared to charm your way through a couple of minor bumps. It's part of the adventure, right? Right… gulp. I vaguely recall seeing some handrails in the public areas, but double-check.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Again, check specifically. The website suggests but don't just assume. That's my Italian lesson for today, don't assume!
Wheelchair accessible: See above. More questions are required.
Internet… Ugh, Thank God for Wi-Fi!
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the heavens! Seriously though, after a day of exploring Turin, the free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver. That Instagram feed needed to be updated with all those glorious food pics.
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: They offer it, they use it. Good.
Things to do, Ways to Relax (Oh, the Indulgence!):
Okay, prepare for a sensory overload. This is where the Vittoriano shines. This is where the real magic happens.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Seriously. They have everything.
My advice? Don’t try to do it all at once. I tried. I ended up a prune-y, blissed-out, slightly overdosed version of my former self.
The Pool With View!!! Okay, first… the "pool with view" is ridiculously gorgeous. Think postcard-perfect. The infinity edge spills out onto the Turin skyline. I spent an embarrassing amount of time just staring. At one point, I swear I saw a local woman do a perfect swan dive, and I was too mesmerized to care if I was being judged by the other guests. (Note to self: learn to do a swan dive). The pool is a little chilly in early spring, BUT…you can order a cocktail while floating. It's a game-changer. The Spa: This place is like a miniature kingdom of relaxation. I opted for a full-body massage – and I'm not exaggerating when I say it was the best massage of my life. I emerged feeling like a new human.
Cleanliness and Safety (Important, Especially Now):
Right now, safety is paramount. The Vittoriano seems to understand.
- Anti-viral cleaning products – Check.
- Cashless payment service – Smart.
- Daily disinfection in common areas – Good.
- Hand sanitizer – Present and accounted for.
- Hygiene certification – Hope so, they do talk about it.
- Individually-wrapped food options – A plus, especially when I have food allergies.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter – They try; Italy is a cuddle-prone culture, though.
- Rooms sanitized between stays – Essential.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items – Hope so, and the pasta was incredible, so fingers crossed.
- Staff trained in safety protocol – Good.
- Rooms sanitized between stays – HUGE plus.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Oh. My. Goodness.)
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Are you hungry yet? Because I am.
The breakfast buffet is a riot of deliciousness. I'm a huge fan of the freshly squeezed orange juice. The croissants are light and flaky. There's a chef making fresh omelets. But honestly, the real star is the pan forte. It's this dense, chewy local cake with dried fruits and nuts. I ate a whole slice. Then another. Just…wow.
The restaurants: The hotel has several places to eat, from fancy dining rooms to casual snack bars by the pool.
The bar has an incredible cocktail list, and the poolside bar is a must-try for sunset aperitivos.
Services and Conveniences (They Think of Everything… Mostly):
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The Vittoriano aims to please, which is pretty impressive.
- Concierge: They were invaluable. They booked my restaurant reservations, gave me tips on navigating the city, and generally made my life easier.
- Luggage Storage: Always a plus, especially when you over-shop.
- Elevator: Hallelujah.
- Laundry service & Dry Cleaning: Very convenient.
For the Kids (They're Welcome!):
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids Meal: This hotel is perfect for families. Although I didn't have a child myself, there were lots of kids running around, and they all looked ecstatic.
Getting Around (Navigating Turin):
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: They've covered all the bases. The location is central.
Available in All Rooms (The Comforts of Home, Elevated!):
Here’s your standard list of what every room should have. The rooms are well-appointed, comfortable, and clean. I’d like to personally commend the bathrobes and the slippers. They're fluffy. They're comfortable. They're perfect for padding around in after a long day of sightseeing.
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Imperfections (Because Let's Be Real…):
Okay, let's be honest. No place is perfect.
- The décor is a little traditional for my modern tastes (but hey, it's Italy. Embrace the old-world charm).
- The "fitness center" could be better equipped, but hey, you're in Italy. Walk around and drink wine!
- Not every staff member spoke flawless English, but they all tried their best (and their friendliness more than made up for it).
The Verdict (And Why You Should Absolutely Book Now):
The Hotel Vittoriano is
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup. Because getting to Hotel Vittoriano in Turin? That was a TRIP. (And I'm not just talking about the flight.) This isn't going to be your perfectly organized, Instagram-filtered travelogue. This is the REAL DEAL.
Hotel Vittoriano, Turin: The Diary of a Slightly Disorganized Tourist (Me)
Pre-Trip Disaster (and Triumph, Eventually):
- Months Before: The excitement! Turin! Chocolate! Fiat history! I'd seen the Hotel Vittoriano online. Looked lovely. Booked it. Thought I was being all sophisticated. Then started obsessively checking the weather forecast. Turns out, Turin in October can be anything from glorious sunshine to a biblical deluge. (Cue panic buying of practical but hideous rain gear.)
- Weeks Before: Packed. Unpacked. Repacked. Decided I needed four pairs of shoes. (Don't judge me, they all have their purposes!) Realized I'd forgotten to book train tickets from Milan Malpensa to Turin. Panicked. Screamed internally. Spent three hours wrestling with a website in Italian - which, despite my best efforts with Duolingo, I still barely understood… Finally, after many false starts including a moment where I accidentally booked a train to Naples, I got it done. Victory! (Followed by a well-deserved glass of wine.)
- Days Before: Double-checked everything. Triple-checked. Almost forgot my passport in the fridge. Almost. Close call.
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Panic (Deliciously Flavored)
- Morning (Milan Malpensa Airport): The flight was uneventful. Which is a good thing. Then came the train. Found my seat. Felt smug… until the train started moving. Then, the existential dread, "Am I REALLY doing this? Alone? In Italy? What if I order the wrong thing?"
- Afternoon (Arrival in Turin and Hotel Check-In): The train pulled into Turin Porta Nuova station. Gorgeous building. Tried to look cool and collected while dragging my ridiculously oversized suitcase. Found a taxi. The driver, bless him, spoke very little English. We communicated in a glorious mash-up of gestures and broken Italian. Amazing.
- Hotel Vittoriano: The reviews were right! The lobby was grand, the staff welcoming. My room was small, but perfectly formed. (And clean! A major win.) The windows opened onto a courtyard. Lovely. Checked in, unpacked the bare essentials (I was too tired to unpack the four pairs of shoes.) and immediately crashed for ONE HOUR.
- Early Evening: The Turin Chocolate Revelation
- The goal, to take the advice of my friend on what to look for at the Chocolate Shops. As I walked aimlessly, in the shadow of the MoleAntonelliana, I stopped at a shop.
- Here, is the Imperfection: I had no idea what to buy or what was the Turin Chocolate. I walked in and stood there for 5 minutes gazing and feeling like an idiot.
- The Quirky Observation: "Does the shop owner suspect I'm an idiot?"
- Emotional Reaction: "I'M SO SCARED! Why did I not research about Turin chocolate before? Why am I like this?"
- Then, I took a deep breath and walked in and asked for the best Chocolate for the new person
- The Result: I made a friend. I enjoyed the best Chocolate in the world. Turin Chocolate does change lives.
- The goal, to take the advice of my friend on what to look for at the Chocolate Shops. As I walked aimlessly, in the shadow of the MoleAntonelliana, I stopped at a shop.
Day 2: Fiat, Food, and the Fountain of Tears (Literally, Not Kidding)
Morning: The Fiat Factory Visit: Okay, this was amazing, but a bit overwhelming. The sheer scale of the Lingotto factory… whoa. Plus, I'm not a car person, but even I was impressed by the history and the coolness of the rooftop test track. The guide, bless her, spoke in rapid-fire Italian (with some English thrown in). I understood about 60% of it, but I soaked in the ambiance.
Lunch: A Restaurant Discovery I had to Double Down on:
- The Goal: To find an authentic little trattoria (small, family-run restaurant) and have a truly local experience.
- The Problem: I didn't speak enough Italian to ask for it without sounding like a complete buffoon.
- The Solution: I was on a random street. Saw a small restaurant on the way. So, I went in.
- The Imperfection: I was feeling slightly intimidated
- Quirky Observation: The waiter had the face of somebody who has seen it all.
- Emotional Reaction: "OMG, I need to feel comfortable. This is my moment!"
- The Experience: The food was incredible - homemade pasta, a rich, meaty ragu, and tiramisu that could make a grown woman weep. (And I almost did.) The waiter was super nice. He was patient with my terrible Italian. He laughed with me. He told me secrets. I was on cloud nine.
- The Double Down: I ate there every day. I tried everything on the menu, slowly making friends to the amazing staff.
Afternoon: The Fountain of Tears (Literally, People!): Took a walk in the Parco del Valentino. Absolutely gorgeous. Found the Borgo Medievale, a re-creation of a medieval village. Then, I stumbled upon the Fontana dei Dodici Mesi – the Fountain of the Twelve Months. Stunning. And guess what? I actually teared up. It was just… beautiful. And after all the stresses and the fears, it was what I needed.
Evening: A Perilous Dinner Adventure: Decided to be adventurous. Tried to order pizza in Italian (which I'd barely looked over). Completely butchered the words. Ended up with a pizza topped with… I don't even know what. But it was still good anyway, that's what matters.
Day 3: Museums, Missing My Train, and the Sudden, Sweet, Chocolatey Ending
Morning: Did the Egyptian Museum. Mind-blowing. Tutankhamun's treasure (or replicas thereof) – OMG. Lost track of time. Got completely absorbed, forgetting about… train tickets.
Afternoon: The Train Fiasco: Ran back to the hotel, grabbed my stuff, ran to the station. Guess what? Missed my train. Stood there, utterly defeated. (The rain started at this point.) Spent a soul-crushing hour trying to sort it out (thank goodness for helpful people at the ticket office). Rescheduled the train. Sat in a cafe, feeling sorry for myself, and drinking a very strong espresso.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Salvation, Turin Style: Needed a pick-me-up – badly. So, obviously, went for more Turin Chocolate. Another shop. An even better one! This time, I was a chocolate expert. I bought so much chocolate I would have to give some of it away. I bought it for everyone at home, to show them the perfection to expect. I ate the best chocolate in the world. It was so smooth, so rich, so utterly delicious. The perfect ending to a slightly chaotic, but undeniably wonderful, trip.
Final Thoughts (and a scattering of crumbs):
Turin? Brilliant. The Hotel Vittoriano? Excellent. (And those little toiletries? Divine!) Did everything go to plan? HA! Absolutely not. Did I get lost? Repeatedly. Did I make a total fool of myself in Italian? Constantly. But, to me, that is what matters the most when traveling. The imperfections, the surprises, the unexpected detours… that is what makes the journey. And now, I also know where to go to enjoy the best chocolate in the world.
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Hotel Vittoriano: The Unvarnished Truth (and Some Pasta) - FAQs
Okay, seriously, is the Hotel Vittoriano *really* a hidden gem, or is that just marketing fluff?
What's the *vibe*? Is it romantic? Family-friendly? Business-y? Or just plain… weird?
The location? Is it actually convenient for seeing Turin?
The breakfast… is it worth getting out of bed for?
What about the rooms? Are they clean? Spacious? Instagrammable?
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they speak English? Do they tolerate clumsy tourists?
Okay, but be honest. What was the WORST thing about your stay?
Is there parking?
What's the best memory you have?
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