Imagine this scenario: You’ve finally managed to save enough money for the vacation of your dreams. The much-anticipated Aussie journey to Euro Summer. After browsing numerous hotel websites, you’ve discovered a luxurious spot in Italy. Upon your arrival—escaping the chilling winter of Down Under—instead of being greeted by Italy’s stunning coastline, you’re confronted by a woman covered in chocolate on a buffet spread.

For some, this might seem like a paradise. However, for an HR manager traveling with his 14-year-old daughter, it was quite the opposite experience.

Federico Mazzieri gained significant attention on LinkedIn after he shared his dissatisfaction with Voi Hotels in Golfo Aranci, situated on the island of Sardinia.

Mazzieri’s complaint described how the hotel’s buffet included a female worker “dressed in a costume and covered with chocolate, positioned among the pastries.”

When the HR consultant raised his concerns with the hotel’s management, he was reportedly informed that the woman was a “chocolate statue”.

“I’m on vacation with my fourteen-year-old daughter, and her comment was: ‘Daddy, what a mess, this isn’t a country where you can achieve your dreams [sic],’” the post stated, translated from Italian to English.

Mazzieri criticized the hotel for their actions, questioning the company’s ethics and how they equate a woman’s body to dishware “to cater to someone’s inappropriate gaze”.

And to be honest, if I encountered this on vacation, I’d likely be shocked and file a complaint. I’ve seen enough media involving cannibalism — Green Inferno and Yellow Jackets — to overlook such a scene. It would probably ruin my entire holiday experience.

Mazzieri even shared a photo of the alleged display, which is undeniably eerie.

Following the complaint on the professional networking site, a representative from the hotel issued an apology directly on the post.

“We read with great attention the post you published about the unfortunate episode that occurred at our resort VOI Colonna Village, during the evening of August,” the comment reads, translated from Italian to English.

“We wish, first of all, to offer you, your family, and especially your daughter, as well as our customers, the sincerest apologies on behalf of all VOIhotels management.

“We deeply regret the incident that has occurred and wish to firmly reiterate that we have never intended to represent values other than those we uphold with determination and which align with those of the Alpitour World group, of which we are a part.

“We are taking immediate steps to address this incident constructively and to ensure that no customer feels offended in any way in the future.”

According to a comment, Michelangela Barba, the woman covered in chocolate, was reportedly hired for a private adult event but was placed in a public area of the hotel.

While I’m all for new experiences, unique activities, and adult entertainment, they need to be situated in suitable settings. Not in a family-friendly buffet.

Moreover, the photo of the woman looks extremely unsettling. I hope she is doing well, especially after being covered in chocolate under the intense Euro sun.