Rome and other Italy Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

This is an apartment converted to a B&B. There are two rooms with a shared bathroom/toilet and a common eating place that we really never got to use because the electricity was being upgraded while we were there and so we got passes to a local cafe where we could basically eat what we felt like.
Your host is genial Gianpaolo and he has a reasonable standard of English if you speak slow which is pretty standard throughout all the B&Bs we stayed at. The bed is comfortable and there is a T.V. and roomy wardrobe.

Unique Qualities: As you'd expect from nine storeys up there is a view, and an expansive one at that if you get the right room. From the other there is virtually nil.
It does not however look out over flowing fields but the galaxy of T.V. antennas and roof tops of Rome. The highlight is unquestionably San Giovanni (St. Johns) in Laterano which you can clearly see and the statues are a standout.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: via Casalmonferrato 3

Imagine Taormina. If you haven't been there it's hard. For those of you who haven't let me tell you that it is all true.
Below you the two bays that Giardino Naxos sits beside and then the slow ascent inland to the peak of Europe's most active and highest volcano, Mt. Etna.
You're in a room lined with paintings which has a coffee table with glass top which covers ornate silver objets d'art.
Before you is a table covered with freshly pressed linen resplendent with the finest of china in which you are about to be served breakfast.
You glance out the picture window to take in the aforementioned view. All this and a bed for a paltry 70 euros for the two of us. Sometimes when you are travelling you have sublime moments. The two breakfasts we had at Villa Sara were such experiences.

Unique Qualities: Views to die for in a villa - more than just a house.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Directions: Taormina

Breakfast. If there's one thing we enjoyed here more than any other place it was the breakfast. At last we could get some proper food (although the promised eggs never surfaced) and plenty of it in a spacious setting.
The rooms were comfortable, with shared ensuite in our case, without being huge.
The location on a dead end street means you don't get a lot of traffic on your road but you can hear some noise from the nearby main road.
It is a multi storey place without lifts so bear that in mind if you book.

Unique Qualities: There was a restaurant just up the road that served excellent fare at a reasonable price

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Directions: About 16 kms north of Florence and about 7 north of Fiesole.

It's a multi-storeyed place and the guests are on the third floor (no lifts) and share a common, but well stocked, kitchen. Here, at last, was a place I could have a decent cup of tea and some biscuits and possibly meet some other travellers.

Unique Qualities: My hostess, Monica, comes from a Swedish background. Nothing is too much trouble, she offers me every kindness. Her husband is just as nice but has a day job so isn't as involved in the running of the B&B.
By the time I leave I'm stocked up with all kinds of maps, magazines and brochures.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Directions: Paladina, a suburb of Bergamo.
Website: get onto "SleepingItaly"

Surprisingly, not in Milan! No, it's on the shores of Lago Malveno, a small picturesque lake surrounded by towering mountains.
The breakfast was sufficient, if not great and crowded is something it certainly wasn't since I was here during the first open week of the season.
The rooms were adequate and the staff helpful.

Unique Qualities: Sitting on my balcony, albeit in freezing weather, looking over the pretty lake hemmed in by snow-capped peaks was one of the more pleasurable things on my holiday.
Reflecting on how I scored such cheap rates (30 euros a night inc. breakfast) was another nice thing though, because my room heater clagged out around 1a.m. in the morning I actually got two nights for 45 euros. Can't get much cheaper than that! In peak season you will pay double what I was quoted however.
Car parking may be a problem. There isn't much room for a lot of cars.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Address: via Marconi 18
Directions: North of Lago di Garda

This is a great place to base yourself. There are many attractions within 90 minutes drive or, if you want to relax, just jump on one of the ferries that ply the lake.
The town has its own castle and Italy's most unique chairlift.

Unique Qualities: The views from the rooms were stunning, looking across Garda to the snow clad mountains beyond; the staff were the best I've had in all of Italy, so helpful were they (no Tony, no more breakfast please!); I was allowed to use the internet for nothing; breakfast beside the lapping waters with that view beyond was enchanting; all this for under 40 euros!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Directions: On the waterfront

The rooms were spacious enough with some hanging and storage space but it's clearly a summer destination with the tennis courts and pool prominently placed.
The owners have other properties in the area so, if you have a group, they should be able to accommodate you.
My biggest complaint was that the man appointed to serve breakfast was a chain smoker and, due to the cold, everything was closed up. It would have been preferable if he could have held off for half an hour.

Unique Qualities: It's an excellent base if you want to do Tuscan walled-type towns like Sorana and Sovana and check out Etruscan remains.
The breakfasts were different. If you don't like smoke then you may want to have something in your room. Our "butler" for breakfast was an aged gentleman who chainsmoked and, since it was winter, the dining room was shuttered and barred.
A cup of tea is an oddity though coffee is on tap at all times.
In summer it has its swimming pool and tennis court to go with the picturesque views across the lake so it would be a good place to relax as well.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Directions: About an hour north of Rome on Lago Di Bolsena

May I quote here from my email at the time:
"Salvatore waited at the gate. Who knows how long he had tarried, his patience finally rewarded by the arrival of his two guests.
Yet we knew for how long, for we had travelled on back roads, main roads and even an autostrada just looking for the place that surely was less than 3 kms from the centre of town.
Past churches, ancient towers and even a university; we had even climbed through a forest towards the mountains and yet, as it transpired, this was indeed where the turn off was, the middle of the forest of mature pine trees.
After seeking a local's advice and showing him our map, for no-one else had heard of Villa Fortezza, we discerned that we were less than 4oo metres from said turn.
With frayed nerves we ascende through the trees amd, within moments of our arrival, all thoughts of dismay were banished from our minds; for here in isolated splendour was the villa of our dreams.
Panoramic views over the town and beyond to the surrounding hills brought smiles to our faces as the evening lights glistened in the cool autumn air.
Two long mosquito nets gathered near the top and made narrow hung from the trees lit by blue and red lights.
Salvatore ushered us into his villa and our smiles became wider with wonder as we gaped at this architectural feast of 100 fish shapes hanging beneath his staircase, of artistic sculptures (by his girlfriend who was responsible for the decor), ultra modern furniture, picture windows that slide into the walls and artifacts beyound count.

Unique Qualities: Did I mention how artistic it was? You could seriously walk into this home 100 times and still note something new on each occasion. There is so much modern art it beggars description. The word "plethora" seems inadequate and so much is indescribable but nonetheless impressive.
Next morning in the garden we note the 25 assorted candles on a tree stump, the indians paddling a canoe when the wind blows a weather vane, the two crushed metal cubes (one with a candleabra prominent), the garish rock and other tree stump on which are painted people's faces and the ancient tower next door, once a part of the fort (fortezza).
Indeed, while we partake of a seemingly endless breakfast with the sun's warming rays streaming through yet another picture window and, who else but Edith Piaf providing a musical background, we realise this is not a B&B - NON - it is an experience; one we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: Villa Fortezza pia