Antica Locanda di Maser

What I liked about LOCANDA MASER: 1. In Italy, some people still say “Locanda” for a place where you can eat and sleep, or just stop for coffee. It’s an old-fashioned but lovely name for a hotel and restaurant. 2. I ride long distances, and this is a good stop if you’re not too demanding. You can park your bike safely inside the property, have a warm dinner at a reasonable price, freshen up, sleep, get breakfast, and head off again. The breakfast is very basic. 3. The hosts are friendly, polite, helpful, and fun to talk to. I arrived late and found Mr Davide outside, singing along with the old songs from the 1960s and 1970s playing on TV. He gave me the key and opened the yard, pointing out a covered spot for my bike in case it rained. He showed me to my room and said I could pay the next day. I remember thinking what a wonderful person he was, hard to find these days. 4. The room was small and a bit dark. The towels were clean, as was the tiny single bed. But I was so tired, I could have slept on stones. 5. In the morning, a smiling woman greeted me in the breakfast area and asked what I’d like to drink. I asked for a cappuccino, and she pointed me toward packaged and freshly made cakes while she prepared it. There were packaged fruit juices too, but I passed on those. The cappuccino and cake were good. I can’t deny breakfast could be more appealing with a little more effort and money, perhaps with a boiled egg and bread and butter, but I’ll leave that for them to consider. 6. After packing, I was heading out when I met Franz, Davide’s brother. The night before, he’d brought me a warm blanket because I was cold after riding for hours that night. I paid him for the room, and he asked if I’d had breakfast. I said yes, but asked if he’d make me another coffee. “Of course I can make a coffee for you, Sir,” he said, then went behind the espresso machine. We talked over the coffee about our lives, and he told me some of Locanda Maser’s history. I asked why the place scored so low on Booking and why reviews put it down so much. He said people these days are unreasonable, frustrated, and unhappy. I agreed with myself as he spoke. They expect a lot while wanting to pay as little as possible. The Locanda has been here nearly a century, he said, and they could renovate it into a three- or four-star hotel. But why? People would still find things to complain about, he felt, so they’d rather keep it simple, perhaps a bit spookily old-fashioned for some, and stay stress-free. If guests complain while paying half what they would for a better property, he doesn’t understand why they come. He smiled again. 7. His words gave me a lot to think about. People often complain when they’re unhappy, especially in this frantic, self-created busy life. Humility and having no airs about you seem rare these days. 8. So, do I really have grounds to complain that the room was a bit dark, the bed perhaps too short but clean, and breakfast wasn’t what I usually have at home? Would I stay at Locanda Maser again when I’m passing through, knowing that for Eur 35- I can sleep, have a good chat, and be on my way? 😊

We first stopped in to ask for information because it was the only place open, and the manager was incredibly helpful. Later, we came back for a drink. He could tell we were hungry, so he gave us some delicious homemade cake to tide us over. It was a thoughtful, sweet gesture, and he wouldn’t take any money for it. Thank you!

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The place left me speechless. It felt timeless, like stepping into my great-grandmothers' homes in Venice. What a thrill to see somewhere so full of character. It has huge potential, though it feels underused. Owners, please do your best to bring this 20th-century hotel back to its former glory. Coffee costs one euro, and I’ll keep coming for it, especially since it’s good.