Hotel Torre Guelfa

Don't miss the rooftop bar at sunset. We were there in April and just managed to get the last two seats, so go early during high season. The front desk staff were friendly and really helpful. Our room was large, and housekeeping kept everything in order. The breakfast was the best of the four hotels we stayed in across Italy. They made cappuccinos and espresso drinks, and the pistachio-filled croissants were to die for. There were scrambled eggs and sautéed vegetables, along with the usual European-style items. Hotel Torre Guelfa used to be the home of a wealthy 13th-century family and has been turned into a lovely hotel.

I found the stay quite uncomfortable and ended up leaving to book another hotel. The bathrooms were great, but the room itself was small and dated, and outside noises carried through clearly. We didn't want housekeeping to clean while we were asleep, so I asked the front desk for fresh towels. The staff looked at me as if the request was completely absurd. After some back and forth, I got two hand towels.

The location and private rooftop terrace were the highlights for us, and breakfast was good too. The rooms were just okay, and the staff didn’t feel as friendly or helpful as people at other places we stayed. Still, we had a good time and would recommend the hotel. We’d just come back from a three-week honeymoon in Italy, which took a lot of planning. I don’t usually write reviews, but we depended on them while organizing the trip, so I wanted to share in case it helps someone else.

We were made to feel welcome, and the staff were kind and incredibly accommodating. The historic building has lovely places to sit, especially the rooftop, and our room was clean and roomy. Breakfast came with our rate and was fantastic, with fresh fruit, salads, pastries, eggs, and pretty much everything you could want. The location is hard to beat. We’d absolutely recommend this gem.