While a comfortable stay, it is not worth the price tag. Piaule markets itself as “minimalist,” but in reality that seems to mean minimal service and cutting costs. We came for a winter weekend between Christmas and New Years expecting a cozy, relaxing stay, and it fell short.
When we checked in shortly after it had snowed, no one offered to help with our bags, despite the long walk to our cabin. When I asked if that was possible, the staff looked at me like I had ten heads before reluctantly calling maintenance. Later, we saw another couple rolling their own bags through the snow in pitch darkness.
The main house has very limited seating relative to the number of guests and is the only “third location” on site. There are two larger couch areas, and the rest of the space functions primarily as the restaurant. The fireplace was dim and barely maintained. We would have enjoyed the outdoor fire pit, but it had not been cleared of snow and was completely unusable. Paths throughout the property were icy, uncleared, and poorly lit, which felt genuinely unsafe. We overheard multiple guests expressing similar concerns and the paths were eventually cleared, as initially there appeared to be no salting or visible effort to address these conditions.
In the cabins, the shower ran out of hot water after about five minutes, forcing my husband to have his shower in freezing cold water. There are no hooks for coats, and the seating area consists of two uncomfortable chairs. On top of already paying a very high nightly rate, you’re charged extra for yoga and other on-site activities. The spa lacks slippers, robes or even plastic bags to put your wet bathing suit in.
The positives: The scenery is beautiful, the bed is comfortable, the rooms are clean, and complimentary snacks are provided. The outdoor spa pool has a lovely view, and the yoga class we paid for was taught by a strong instructor. The restaurant was decent, and some members of the kitchen staff were genuinely warm and welcoming (especially Donna).
Overall, the property feels understaffed and does not deliver a five- or even four-star experience. Guests are often made to feel like an inconvenience, with little guidance or support throughout the stay. At a significantly lower price point - perhaps around $300 per night - this would be totally reasonable. At its current cost, however, it does not compare to other luxury resorts in the area and simply is not worth it.
