A bit disappointing due to being told last minute the home was not going to be ready

Villa Ruffigano is set in a very picturesque setting with fabulous views a shown, but it is in a very remote area with nothing else around it, approximately 25 - 30 minutes from the walled city of Cortona. While we were aware of the distance, we did not realize it would require one to drive up such a very windy, steep, mountainous road, and then off a dirt road to access which should be mentioned in the listing as many may find this rather scary. The listing says, "Situated just a few kilometres from Cortona" which should be updated. We learned of this windy, mountainous road a day before our arrival and were sort of shocked given how dangerous it could be. Inside, though, the home was clean, and everything seemed in working order for an old home. While the listing referred to it as "luxurious" our guests found it rather plain and simple, and notably commented how it could benefit from some rugs to warm it up since floors and walls are stone or concrete, and the windows are small and bring in little light. However, the pool area does look more "luxurious" , and the bed linens and memory foam pillows were a nice touch. The kitchen was also more than adequate to function, and the large, rustic dining table was perfect for our party of 10. All bathrooms are also nicely updated. However, since most only have pedestal sinks, there is little to no area to put one's items on. It would help if the owner considers adding some shelves or chests, and provides a second set of towels already in the villa to make it easier for guests to enjoy the comforts of staying in the home. Our main complaint of this home and reason for only 3 stars vs 4 stars is due to the management company and their handling of some matters. Two days prior to our check in, we received an email that said, "Regrettably, recent weather conditions have led to delays in reopening the house for the season, and we fear that certain preparations may not be completed by Saturday. Specifically, we've encountered some malfunctions in the kitchen and encountered technical issues with the exterior of the villa. In light of these unforeseen circumstances, we would like to extend an alternative accommodation option for your stay. " . While we realize unexpected issues can certainly occur and be beyond their control, there was no attempt to call me or my spouse (who was not even emailed), and no after hours phone contact was provided in the email either. This seemed rather inconsiderate given we could have received this email in the middle of the night, or possibly never. However, when we did receive it, we were in the middle of a tour in Florence, and an email like this would likely cause most people great alarm. Not only was the person who sent the email not in that day at HTT, but they did not call us back promptly or ever. We had to continue to call before reaching a manager just before they closed for the day. While a replacement home was indeed offered, it was not a home within Third home, and seemed inferior, and in checking online, seemed to rent for less than half of the home we had reserved. But regardless, most people likely would be upset the way it was presented and without the courtesy of even a call and better explanation. After objecting to the replacement offered, contacting Third Home, and asking for clarification and to see pictures what was actually so wrong in the villa that they would send us such an email, the management company then said it was only the dishwasher was broken, and some exterior walls needed to be painted. It should be noted this is a stone villa that has no exterior paint. Whatever the repairs needed really were, they seemed rather minute, and being in a tour, and having 8 additional guests already there, en route, or soon to be, we offered to take the home as is given dishes can easily be washed by hand until a dishwasher is fixed, and we already had a chef and housekeeper coming to help with clean up anyways. Miraculously, the industrial grade dishwasher was somehow fixed by the next morning in such a remote area, and no exterior walls had to be painted after all. The whole thing was nevertheless very unsettling as we still wonder why we even had to be bothered by any of this as the allegations seemed grossly exaggerated at best. In addition to this unsettling disturbance, we also had a difficult time receiving basic contact information from the management company for who would be meeting us to let us in, or meeting us on tours, given the area and places were very remote and far away. We found ourselves having to ask HTT too many times for reasonable info to either have them evade answering, or finally answering with what came across as a snarky reply. And the only customized tour we did book through them had a last minute replacement tour guide, and the food provided was hardly adequate as would be expected after paying $1200 euros for 10 persons. So, all this sadly took away from us being able to truly enjoy our trip. On the bright side, the highlight of the villa was the chef, Valentina, who was very hospitable and is an amazing and generous cook. She and or her kind husband also tidied up the home. Their adult son Kata was also the who let us in. They were all so kind. We are therefore still perplexed why the management company had been so previously secretive and withholding of even their names given they seem to regularly take care of the home. Finally, we also enjoyed the resident cats that live at the property (and are thankfully fixed), as well as the nearby wild boars. We just wish things would have been much smoother with the management company as it did put a damper on our stay and caused a lot of unnecessary aggravation. ”