La Villa Dolce

The place has a lot going for it: a central spot with a lovely view over Place Verdun, tasteful decor, a romantic and private feel, and a comfortable room. The home automation, jacuzzi, and generous breakfast were nice too. But the way our room was handled while we were out on the second day really bothered me. We’d been away for two hours when the person in charge told me she’d forgotten to say smoking wasn’t allowed anywhere in the hotel, balconies included. I hadn’t smoked, though, so I wondered how she knew I was a smoker. When we got back, the room had been tidied without us knowing. Our clothes, including the damp ones from the jacuzzi, were balled up at the foot of the bed. The bedside tables had been cleared and our things moved onto the dining table. The sausage from the fridge was wrapped up, the two pizza slices I’d left in the kitchen were gone, and my tobacco and smoking things had been put on the balcony. I say “tidied” because the sheets and towels hadn’t been changed, the bed had just been made, and the things I’d left under it were still there. After that, I didn’t feel at home, and I still don’t understand the point of this “cleaning/policing.” The owner also wanted me to pay a carpenter over a grease mark I supposedly left on the unwaxed pine living-room table. She talked up the apartment’s high standards and suggested I file an insurance claim. There was no inventory check or security deposit when we arrived. She says the mark came from my belongings, which she’d moved while we were out. It felt very intrusive. I wouldn’t recommend it for children or anyone under 35. The minibar was just two cardboard cups, two bottles of water, and iced tea. Though the kitchen was described as fully equipped, there were no cutlery or glasses, and the owner made comments about us eating in the suite, which she apparently frowned on. There’s nobody at reception after noon, so you’re left leaving messages and waiting for a callback. We found out ourselves that the jacuzzi lights and music could be switched on. The owner hadn’t mentioned them, perhaps to avoid disturbances. As we left, her last comment was, “You didn’t turn the bedside lamp back on when you left!” That struck me as inappropriate from a place that talks about high standards. I’m still waiting for the dry-cleaning bill for daring to use the towels!