Nel cuore di Padova: Sant'Agnese apartament

The location was convenient, which was the one good thing about our stay in Padua over New Year’s Eve. The apartment itself was cramped and fell well short of what we expected. There was a sewer smell as soon as we entered the building, and it got stronger on the stairs. The same stink was inside the apartment. The bedroom was tiny, with no luggage space, and a radiator in the corner made it hard to reach the bed. The bathroom was also very small, dated, and had nowhere to put toiletries or hang four towels. When we opened the sofa bed for the children, there was barely room to move or use the coffee table for breakfast as a group of four. The router didn’t work, so we had no internet. They’d also left just one coffee capsule. I know it isn’t an apartment amenity, but a small welcome gesture would’ve been nice.

The apartment had some good points: it was small but nice, the bathroom was well designed, and it was reasonably clean, though very dusty. We knew it was on the second floor with no elevator and were fine with that. But the stairs had a strong smell every time we used them. Getting the keys was unsettling. Nobody handed them to us and they weren’t in a safety box. We were told to find them in a bag in an open service area with pipes, right on the street where anyone could take or copy them. Inside, the space wasn’t arranged very well. There was no empty pantry, so food had to go on the counter. With the sofa bed open, the table had to be pushed against the door and there was hardly room to move. We knew the bathroom had no bidet or shower, as that was clearly stated. There were four of us but only three large and three medium towels. We had our own and didn’t need to be told, but the numbers didn’t make sense. The only dishcloth was dusty and left dishes dirty when it dried them. We chose an apartment with a kitchen, and Booking.com described it as well stocked. It wasn’t: there was one small saucepan, one medium one, and a frying pan, which seemed adequate for at most four people. The other pots were huge, like something for a Christmas dinner, and useless in a small apartment for up to four. They took up scarce space and gave the impression of a well equipped kitchen. The coffee maker was there, but the water holder was caked with limescale, so we chose not to use it. We had to ask how checkout worked. There were no leaflets or instructions, and even after asking the day before we left, we didn’t get complete information. Only once we’d left were we told to take out the trash, without having been told where or that we should do it. When we raised our concerns, the response was rude and irritated. I’ve given it two stars, meaning I didn’t like it, and wouldn’t return or recommend it. The place has potential, but the service and welcome at check-in and checkout were disorganized and inexperienced. The cleaning could also use more attention before guests arrive, along with the small details that shape the stay. I hope the people managing it take this as constructive feedback, because these things seem straightforward to improve and would make a difference.

You’re right by Piazza dei Signori, in one of Padua’s loveliest parts, and the location would work even for a longer stay. The bathroom was the downside for me: no bidet, and the sink is so small that washing comfortably is difficult.