Guest User
March 10, 2024
It could have been so good. As a resident checking in, we had a foretaste of what was to come with a giant coach bringing daytrippers to the shop (where you also check in). Had to choose dinner choices there and then, off a limited menu (3 different dishes). Room was old school pleasant. Soundproofing on the light side. Was presumptuously told how to tip at end of trip, on way to room. Even the room welcome note was anonymous so as able to reuse - “Dear -“ !! Tour good to a well rehearsed formula, enlightening, limited access to winery, guide delivered well. Back for tasting amidst throng of day guests. Grounds maintained ok. Not UAE pristine (nor should they be) but still a little ‘end of season’. Dinner was a total fail. Faded glory outdoor-activity-centre-type-conservatory restaurant set up for group trips, next to an awful green pond. Felt grubby and the server was extremely brusque. Food really poor; congealed sauces and reheated meat. Had to wait for another meal to be cooked. By comparison, the restaurant on site at the brilliant Casa Marin vineyard, 10 minutes away felt positively Michelin starred by way of comparison. Also, wines all had a similar ‘interfering’ aroma on the nose that we finally were able to identify as the pine like cleaning fluid dispensed on to the floor in industrial volume by one person, whilst another mopped. $79 for the top end Syrah in the shop. $99 in the roadside-type restaurant. Should have bought it their shop and paid the $6 corkage. Breakfast choice as you would expect. But again, 20 or so day guests arrived at 8.30am rather changing the dynamic. No exclusivity of experience given to residents, even though there is at least one other area in the 'roadside diner' restaurant that could be used for visitors. There is a lovely drawing room/outbuilding by the 10 roomed courtyard which should be used for breakfast and check in. Needs a signpost around back of the shop by resident parking to enable this. Much higher quality feel there. An Awasi or Tierra it is definitely not in terms of staff service nor quality proposition. Pool hadn’t been netted to remove floating leaves and no towels out so didn’t feel particularly inviting. With a caring eye, it could be v good. But it’s not worth anywhere near the $835 for half board and tour. Don’t like to leave a mediocre review but felt seriously short changed and wouldn’t have stayed if had read a review like this. No mention either, that you need Chilean Pesos (no $ or cards accepted) for the tolls on way back to main Valpo Santiago highway. Caught us short as we were heading straight back to airport. They let us through eventually. Hope La Casona improves.