Grand Hotel di Parma

We won’t be coming back, though the stay wasn’t a disaster. The room wasn’t soundproof as Booking claimed, and the roughly 10-15 minute walk to the city centre was only decent. The interiors felt pompous but subdued, and the staff were pleasant, though not quite five-star in service. Check-in went smoothly, but the room had a strong chemical smell, so we asked to move. The replacement wasn’t much better: the mattress was very firm, there was no topper, and the pillows were completely flat. The room got extremely hot even with the heating off, and we kept waking through the night. We also found a dirty bathrobe. Breakfast offered little variety, although what was available was good quality.

I spent two nights here and slept really well. The mattress was comfortable, the rooms were spacious, and the bathrooms were large and well equipped. It’s a lovely, peaceful hotel in a quiet area, and the staff at reception and in the restaurant were very friendly. I’d gladly stay again when I’m back in Parma for the antique fair in March, and I recommend it.

The bathroom was downstairs in my suite, but it turned out to be larger than I expected and very comfortable. I especially enjoyed the relaxing bubble bath. The suite itself was spacious and elegantly decorated, with a very comfortable bed. Hotel Di Parma is in a historic building in the heart of the old town, close to the main sights. Parking at the hotel costs extra, so leaving the car outside could be a better choice if you can. A delightful stay.

The lovely lobby and very kind receptionist gave us a good first impression, and the room was beautiful, clean, and well equipped. After that, things went downhill. We chose the terrace room because my husband smokes cigars, but its AC was broken. It was summer, and the room was on the top floor under the eaves. Our choices were to move rooms or use a fan to circulate the humid 26,5°C air. The room also appears to be the same one in a review from four weeks earlier, where the shower flooded and the AC was broken too. We’d already been disappointed by the hotel restaurant, which we picked hoping for a decent meal without having to walk. That was a bust too, and I’ve reviewed it separately. The place is badly understaffed, and the staff don’t seem well trained. The front desk team takes the brunt of guest frustration and does the best it can with what it has, which is a real pity. There’s so much wasted potential. We travel often and usually stay in four- or five-star places, but this one felt mediocre. If we return to Parma, we won’t choose this hotel, and we’ll tell our friends to avoid it.