Hotel Residence Abete

We weren’t satisfied with our stay at this residence. The room had a strong smoke smell, which made it unwelcoming right away. Basic items like salt, pepper, oil and toilet paper weren’t provided. We knew this was mentioned in the booking, but still found it unacceptable for a comfortable stay. When we asked for help, we were told to buy everything at local markets, but their hours were inconvenient and they only opened after 4:00 PM. We booked with a voucher and expected the organization and attention to guests to be better. The property could be more welcoming with significant improvements, but we can’t recommend it as it is now.

It was clean, and for the price the low standard was adequate. Rooms inside the building had been freshly renovated; the ones with outside entrances seemed to have been renovated more recently. Being close to the slopes, shops and restaurants is the main advantage. If your windows face the street, though, the disco music can be loud, so staying up until 2 a.m. may be difficult. You can’t hear it from the rooms on the other side. When we entered through the automatic machine, we tracked mud in on our shoes and had to mop the floor. The rooms at the edge of the building were cold, so a heater was useful, and in winter it’s best to bring your own. The other rooms were fine.

The apartments were cold, and the central heating couldn’t be adjusted. Parking was chaotic, with cars left haphazardly and dozens of maneuvers needed to get in or out. The Wi-Fi cost 6 euros for 7 days but kept disconnecting, and sometimes wouldn’t connect at all. The furnishings are old and falling apart, with sagging beds, patched mattresses and bed bases cobbled together. Staff at reception were unreliable, and the lady there was rude and unhelpful, as though guests working there were to blame. They charge €60 for final cleaning, which is fair, but still expect the kitchenette, fridge, plates and glasses to be clean before checkout or they keep the €100 deposit. They tell guests to keep quiet and not talk loudly or turn on the TV, yet the restaurant across the street plays loud music every night. Through the enormous glass window, which seems as thin as a microscope slide, you hear it and the noise clearly until late.

The price was good, and the managers and entertainers were courteous. They also put on a trip or event each day to get the residence guests involved. The premises feel like they’re still from the 1970s. They were clean and tidy, but routine maintenance seems to have been neglected, with water leaking in the toilet and damp stains. Another issue is the restaurant opposite, open every night until 1:30 a.m. I guess I have a different idea of the mountains, where I expect silence and peace.