Hotel Amico Fritz

The room was large and pleasant, and so was the bathroom. Above all, everything was very clean. The minibar was well stocked, and the price was excellent. The hotel is easy to reach and very close to the station. The guy at reception was genuinely kind and helpful. A B&B charged me €120 for the same night, so B&Bs are more expensive than hotels these days. If you're in any doubt, I'd definitely recommend this place.

I ended up going back to my friend Fritz in the end, after explaining what had happened and reminding myself I'd been staying with them since 2017. He kindly offered to charge me 60 euros at most. By then it was getting late, so I accepted, put the 60 euros on the counter, and went to a room I thought was just for quick meetings. The bathroom outside the room was awful and absurd. That was 60 euros just to shower and leave my suitcase there until I picked it up again. This was last year. This year I changed hotels after five years in a row. During those years, cleanliness wasn't always great, and once, a couple of years ago, the shower stayed cold even after I reported it for two days. Still, I mostly went there because it was close to the station. Last year I needed a quick stop. I arrived at 6 PM, had to go to work at 7 PM, and planned to return at midnight just to get my suitcase before catching a 1 AM train. Since I was basically only staying for a shower, I asked what a room would cost. He said 80 euros. Eighty euros for an hour 😱😱. I reminded him I was a guest who rented a room for 2-3 days at least once a year. He said, "Well? Then there are plenty of them who always come." That brought back the elegance and kindness in the lobby that I'd managed to forget. I looked elsewhere right away, but found nothing because it was a Saturday and places were full. Another hotel even offered, without knowing me, to let me stay for free for that short time at a hotel their colleagues owned in San Vincenzo. I had arrived by train and couldn't make it to work and then travel out again, so I politely declined. I had to be desperate and organized to go back. And if, year after year, you get one receptionist who doesn't smile or even speak to you, that's apparently fine.

For one night, it was fine, nothing special. We booked for two; the rooms were clean and the bathroom worked. The location is excellent, about 100 meters from the central station and just a short walk from the center. One night cost 80 euros, and they take cards.

Unfriendly place. Indoor parking costs €10 and has to be requested. They try to squeeze four cars into a tiny courtyard, so whoever parks first gets blocked in by the others. To get out, you have to coordinate with the other guests. Absurd. If your ferry comes in early in the morning, it's unbearable not knowing whether you'll be able to leave in time.