Villa del Sorriso

I am not certain who wrote the awful review but it is IMPOSSIBLE that they stayed at the Hotel Sorrisso. On a whim last night I decided, a lone woman, driving from Mofetta, Puglia to Picerno, Basilicata, to get off the highway and my car climbed high into the beautiful, ancient landscape...wanting a hotel before night fell i drove high into the hills, but no hotel in Ginestra so I plied on towards Venosa where the Hotel Sorriso beckoned me, a cheering sight. First of all lots of places say service with a smile but at Sorisso, (Hotel of Smiles) they mean it. Juisy at the desk was bright and welcoming and immediately came outside and and carried my heavier bag.She organized my room quickly and what a beautiful room it is. I had asked for a single but she had upgraded me without my asking, granted I arrived late at night at the end of September but still this was quite unexpected! I can only use the word 'aristocratic" for the room. It is one of the loveliest rooms i have ever stayed in. i was hungry after the long drive and there is a pizza restaurant on the the ground floor. By now it was 9pm and while pizza wasn't my first choice for dinner, having eaten a stuffed pizza from a road side stand earlier -I was hungry. The very friendly owner Mary Grazia seated me and we were quickly immersed in conversation. Maria Grazia is warm, clearly interested in everyone who stops at her hotel and elegant. She clearly adores her work, we spoke about her "calling" for quite awhile so I learned that she is at her hotel from 9am till midnight EVERY night taking care of all of the details. She is impassioned as a good hotelier MUST be. The review Poor Accomdation Waggadouggou is so off reality about this hotel and as a Trip Advisor reader and user I am appalled when people leave misleading reviews from some kind of inate nasty irritiability that colors their every experience. Maria Grazie announced the menu and I was surprised to hear there was much more available fror dinner than the pizza i was expecting! I ordered ravioli with Baccala ) a regional specialty) and grilled home made sausage with green salad. Oh My God!!! Those ravioli were EXTRAORDINARY...honestly, with a roasted pepperincino accompanying them ,it was worth 5 stars on its own! What a delicious meal. The salad was simple and good and the sausages delicious. I was too tired to have a glass of wine but the famous Alianco wine is from this region. The history of Venosa is extraordinary , the influences from so many cultures.There is something in the air here, quite magical! I slept like a child on the excellent matteress.I know I will return. Stay here with great confidence!