B&B La Cupella

Breakfast on the terrace, looking over the old town’s narrow cobbled streets and the green hills around Monterotondo, was the best part for me. The owner, Cinzia, was extremely friendly and helpful, and made us feel at home. This small B&B sits right in the old part of Monterotondo, a lovely spot to get a feel for life in an old Italian town. The rooms are cozy and exceptionally clean. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Monterotondo, this is a great choice.

The only real plus was the location in a restricted traffic zone, so there was little traffic outside and it was somewhat quiet. Breakfast was average, nothing special. The stay itself was disappointing and didn’t match the online reviews. The stairwell had high Booking.com ratings on display, which had set our expectations high. At first the room looked fine, but we soon noticed dirty walls, damp patches and water damage, with plaster peeling in places. The window’s curtains didn’t block out enough light, so the room never got fully dark. There weren’t enough outlets, leaving us to choose between the bedside table and other devices. The bed was uncomfortable, the sheets smelled bad, and the yellowed, smelly pillow made it hard to sleep. There was also a foul smell at night, probably from the drains. The fridge light came on when plugged in, but it didn’t actually work.

The terrace makes a lovely spot for breakfast, with juices, jams, biscuits, and all kinds of crackers to choose from. The B&B is in Monterotondo’s historic center, just a short walk from the fountain park. It’s small but welcoming, and the owner was friendly, helpful, and extremely kind. Check-in was quick. The room is compact but has everything, including air conditioning and a coffee maker. The bed and pillows were soft and comfortable. The bathroom is very small and basic, but you can manage everything easily. Cleanliness was very good throughout. Great value for the affordable price, and I’d definitely return.

If you’re bringing a stroller or an elderly person, avoid this place. The stairs to the upper floors are extremely steep, though I suppose that’s the price of staying in the city center. We were asked to pay the remaining balance in cash as soon as we arrived. No POS, Satispay, PayPal, or other payment options, which seems odd in 2023. The basement room was so humid it felt like a cellar for curing salami. The fridge was switched on but didn’t cool, the double bed mattress swallowed you up, and there were no pillowcases. When we asked, they said they were there, though we couldn’t find them. After we insisted, they brought some. Calling the stay mediocre would be generous.