Fantasy House

Mrs. Alda welcomed us kindly and let us into the apartment. We needed a place for one night near Cremona’s city center, but because of construction, it turned out to be farther away than we expected. We were also a little surprised by the price for the “popular” area where the B&B is located. I appreciate the owners’ efforts to make the furnishings fit the atmosphere of the place, though I think more work is still needed to make guests happier.

We had a varied breakfast selection, and the pellet stove ran by the hour but kept the house warm. The apartment is small, but works well for up to three people. The owners were kind and sent a video and clear directions, since finding the place might otherwise seem complicated. The entrance opens straight into the kitchen, where the third single bed is, followed by the bathroom and the bedroom with a double bed. Everything was clean and tidy, with clean towels provided. The shower could use a little more attention, but it wasn’t a big issue. It looked like the place may have belonged to a gamer, judging by the references. The Superman logo cutouts in the doors made privacy an issue, especially in the bathroom. The door doesn’t shut fully, leaving a gap about two fingers wide. There’s also an open cutout and mirrored tiles on the opposite wall, and the walls are made of blurry glass blocks. My friends and I had to take turns, with one person in the bathroom and the others in the kitchen, since the bathroom is next to the master bedroom only. If I need a place again, I’d happily return, but bathroom privacy is the one thing I’d fix.

The kitchen was fully equipped, and breakfast had plenty of options. This is a lovely house for rent in Cremona, with DIY furnishings inspired by comics and modern art. The bedroom has all the essentials, including a very original suspended bed. The bathroom has new fixtures and is well equipped, though the water heater is too small for more than one shower. A really lovely place, highly recommended.

The entrance and kitchen had an unpleasant smell that followed me for the whole stay and even got into the clothes in my suitcase. I was shocked by how unhygienic the place felt. Most of the biscuits and snacks left for breakfast had expired, though I checked in time before eating them. I also found a cigarette on the breakfast tray, which seemed like further evidence of poor hygiene, especially during a pandemic. There were two windows with mosquito nets, and I kept them closed to keep bugs out, but mosquitoes, midges, and even cockroaches were still in my room. I can only assume they’re permanent residents or that there are holes in the screens. The bathroom had no bidet, which was a real inconvenience, and the showerhead hook was broken, so I had to hold the showerhead in one hand. I didn’t put much weight on the questionable furniture when I booked, but the lack of basic hygiene and care was unacceptable. A terrible experience.