106 gradini

We were seven, and the apartment had plenty of room for us, with two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The sofas, colorful chairs, bookcase and TV made the living room feel comfortable, and the big window opened onto a balcony over the garden. The kitchenette was well equipped, there was lots of counter space, and even a little play area under the TV kept the kids busy. Alexa played music while we had breakfast and later in the afternoon. With all the kitchen and laundry equipment, extra blankets, pillows of different thicknesses, and a hairdryer and straightener, we could easily have stayed for weeks. In November the radiators had adjustable controls, and the apartment has air conditioning in summer. The beds were comfortable and we slept well. The place was spotless, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. The sheets, duvet covers and towels were fresh, bright white and carefully folded, and the shower mats were soft and thick. Aleksandra and Vittorio clearly put care into hosting. Their breakfast ring cake was displayed under a glass dome, dusted with sugar and marbled with cocoa. Vittorio said their own eggs made it special, though I suspect there was another secret ingredient. The house sits on a quiet lane in central Bottanuco, behind an electric gate and away from traffic. Beyond the garden are fields of corn, which give the place a peaceful, countryside feel. The windows have mosquito screens, so I imagine summer nights with the windows open and crickets outside would be lovely. The apartment is on the second floor, reached by a shared staircase, though it has its own entrance.

We arrived last night with our family, including three children, and found bedbugs throughout the house. There were bugs under the sofa, on the curtains and along the window frames. I couldn't open the windows because every screen was broken and covered with bedbugs. I contacted Booking.com to ask what we should do, and they requested photos of the bugs. Fortunately, I take pictures of everything, so I emailed them all the photos of the bedbugs we found and killed from yesterday through today. The owner refused to give us a partial refund for the first night. Because of what I see as a lack of seriousness and professionalism from the owner, we're forced to stay another night. I'm still in touch with Booking.com because this is unacceptable. I strongly discourage staying here. Saying “but we're in the countryside” is no excuse.

It's a lovely spot for families, with a pretty garden, a nice apartment and welcoming hosts. There's a tasty pizzeria and a bar right there. Bottanuco doesn't feel like a tourist hotspot, which gives the place a more authentic feel.

The apartment was warm, clean and inviting, and we were looked after really well. There’s a garden where the kids or pets can run around. Thanks, Vittorio and Aleksandra!