Beatrice L.
The room’s bathroom was badly run down, with heavy buildup, and the shower head was broken so it only worked as a handheld. Breakfast was skimpy and poor quality, just two stale snacks and one coffee pod per person to make yourself. The bigger problem was the booking. In January 2016, my husband, five others, and I reserved the whole apartment for a week in August. Two people couldn’t make the trip, but we paid for the entire place anyway. When we arrived, we explained this to the owner, Mr. Muscarà, and paid the full week up front without seeing the house. He brought up renting the empty room, so I asked for at least a refund for the people who stayed home. He said we could discuss it if he found roommates. Before we’d even left, different guests started arriving every day, including young people, older people, and small children. My husband was furious, and we argued with the owner. He refused to return any money, leaving us paying for the whole house while sharing it with strangers. Mr. Muscarà offered to take us for seafood with him and his parents, apparently thinking that as “the youngest manager (?) in Italy” he was dealing with poor people. We declined and kept asking for a refund. He got loud and suggested my husband settle things at his parents’ jewelry store after it closed. Anyone who wants to know more can ask! We couldn’t find a way to retaliate, but thought warning future guests was the least we could do. I’ll say no more about the owner, who was in his early twenties.
