Foresteria del Merlin Cocai

Really top notch.

The location makes it easy to reach the heart of Mantua, only a few hundred meters away. Inside, everything is cared for and full of color, and the rooms feel warm and cozy. Mrs. Francesca and the staff were lovely, and breakfast was delicious. I especially appreciated the full mattress on the double bed and the water dispenser guests can use. Highly recommended.

The room had a strong sewer smell, and I really don’t think the place was worth the €95 I paid. I was glad it was just one night. This isn’t an ancient palace, just a modest building that’s been renovated a little, with an unattractive courtyard. I couldn’t see any frescoes on the walls. I’d strongly advise against it.

The constant water-heater whistle was the worst part. It came back every five minutes, and even after I called twice, the owner offered no fix. She said she knew about it, couldn’t do anything, and that it would stop eventually. It went quiet at midnight, then started again at 6 in the morning. The blackout curtain sat 30 cm away from the window, which had no shutters, so light came straight in. The walls were peeling, the paint was poor, and there was no insulation. It was horrible, an insult to anyone who does this work with care for guests, and a clear mockery of the customer. The room cost €100, though I paid €80 because it was a genius deal, and it wasn’t worth it at all. I also found the duvet without a cover or sheet. When I asked the owner, she laughed and called it the Scandinavian method. That isn’t true, since a duvet cover is used there too, and this duvet even had buttons. I wasn’t told when booking that breakfast wasn’t served on site, despite paying for it and choosing the property partly because of the photo of the buffet. Instead, there was an arrangement with a bar 100 meters away. They only had cappuccino and croissants, and when I asked for juice and coffee, what I got was poor. Before bed I wanted tea, but the kettle was encrusted with limescale, and the coffee machine didn’t even have water in it. I’m reposting what I wrote last night because I need to clarify three things. My husband was the one who stayed here. I booked through Booking.com, so the reservation was under my name, and every photo I’m posting is genuine, taken by him in the Calle room. On the breakfast issue, I’m not disputing Covid rules. Guest drop-off times could have been staggered and organized so the service could still be offered. Since breakfast was included in the price, and I had called before booking to ask about parking, I think it would have been honest to tell us there was no buffet. Finally, in your nervous reply you called my husband a drunkard. I won’t stoop to commenting on that, but it confirms your lack of professionalism and inability to take constructive criticism backed by photos. Good luck.