B&B Cà Bianca dell'Abbadessa

I came expecting a homey B&B, but the house felt cold, more like a museum. When we returned around 11 pm or midnight, it was completely dark inside and out. Guests can come and go as they like, so I think some kind of light should be left on. The parking is a fair walk from the house, and going along the drive at night felt creepy in the countryside. There are only six small lights on the drive. Even with just two or four other guests, we had to park at the very top. I understand they want to preserve the view by keeping cars away from the front, but the owner’s car stayed right in front of the house for two days and nights without moving. I understand turning off lights for environmental reasons, but there should be some option that respects that while helping guests feel safe. The owners were away on holiday, so we were left on our own except for a woman who came in the morning to check and clean. A B&B shouldn’t leave guests by themselves the whole time. What if we needed help, advice, or something else? There’s no fridge in the room for keeping drinks cold, and the kitchen isn’t available to guests. I know there are apartments with kitchens, but at a B&B I’d at least expect a way to chill a drink and get a glass of water. The bed was uncomfortable, too. I live in the countryside and expect insects, but I’ve stayed in plenty of country houses and never found insects on my pillows every day. I wouldn’t recommend this place. I felt uncomfortable, almost as though we were staying in somebody’s home without permission and weren’t wanted there. I’d expected warmth and found coldness instead. It felt like we were doing the owners a favor by staying, rather than being welcomed. I left a similar review on Booking, and the owners replied that they were sorry I felt “lonely and needy” even though I was with my boyfriend. Their response says a lot about how they treat guests. I don’t expect a nice reply here, given how they responded to other reviews and mine on Booking. Hospitality isn’t for everyone.

The homemade breakfast, featuring local produce, was a highlight of our stay. We also appreciated the warm welcome and the comfortable, spotless rooms. This charming B&B is in picturesque countryside near Bologna, with peaceful surroundings. The decor and personal touches are carefully done throughout. A lovely choice for a quiet getaway.

The scenery is the one good thing here. Our room was dusty, smelled moldy, and was full of spiders and other creepy crawlers. It felt abandoned. The woman who greeted us was in a rush, hurried us through the room, and didn’t explain much. There was no privacy, either: you could hear other guests snoring, as if everyone were sharing one room. Parking is by the main entrance, then it’s a five-minute walk to the hotel. Checkout was at 11, but we left at 9 and it was a disaster. They were preparing for a wedding, and I couldn’t even load our luggage. This was the worst overnight B&B experience we’ve had, and I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy. We were so disappointed to pay over 200 euros just to sleep in what felt like a hostel with homeless people. Do yourself a favor and stay somewhere else.

The scenery is like heaven, the interior is glamorous, and every corner is full of impressive details. The place seemed flawless from the gate to the bathrooms, almost too perfect to feel at ease. It reminded me of a beautiful cake baked too long, or wonderful homemade tortellini overcooked by too much love. Marco and Anna welcomed us generously and let us choose from several rooms, and check-in went smoothly. They gave us some written instructions, which seemed understandable at first. But once we realized how many things were off limits, the stay became stressful. The freedom that makes a home feel like a home was gone. I’m sure the owners didn’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable, but there were so many rules and warnings about protecting things from the very guests they welcomed. After check-in and payment, we learned we couldn’t go near the horses because insurance wouldn’t cover it, or near the birds because they were being trained. We also couldn’t use the kitchen to make coffee, except for instant coffee made with hot water and powder. Instant coffee in Italy felt insulting. This is an honest account of my two-day stay, not an attempt to provoke anyone or drive customers away. If you enjoy exploring new scenery, this place may suit you. If, like me, you don’t want to feel controlled, unwelcome, or out of place, don’t come. Ladies, we had to deal with six spiders and three cockroaches.