Hotel Il Giardino

The location was good, but there are better options nearby. The patio was dirty and neglected, with full ashtrays left around, and the advertised bar wasn’t operating anymore. Staff weren’t friendly. The furniture was falling apart, the bathrooms were moldy, and there was a box of roach killer in the refrigerator when we opened it to put away some cheese we’d just bought. Maybe this hotel was nice two or three years ago, but the current owners haven’t maintained it. We stayed only because we’d already paid; otherwise, I wouldn’t have.

I’m shocked this place has a three-star rating. The rooms are run down and have real maintenance problems, even though a little investment could make them much better. My first room’s ceiling started leaking while I was out, and the cleaning staff apparently reported it. Management arranged another room, to their credit, but nobody told me they’d already moved me. I walked into two staff members having a heated conversation right in front of me. In the second room, the ceiling fan in the bathroom dripped, leaving a large damp patch, and there was a brown stain on the duvet that stayed there even after the sheets were changed. The bedside table was an IKEA one, which is fine, but it was badly scratched and chipped around the edge. The lighting was cold and glaring, too. I just need a basic place to sleep, but I expect a clean room without structural issues. And the staff were so rude. At check-in it was just “NAME,” “PASSPORT,” and “YOU’RE IN ROOM X,” then nothing else. I expect more than one-word answers, and maybe a smile. They gave off the impression that they hate their jobs. They could pick up some ideas from episodes of Hotel Inspector about the small changes that could make a big difference.

I’ve heard people mention mold, but I didn’t see any. The room was nice and the bathroom clean. There’s a shared terrace, and the prices are very good.

It’s a decent room, and the location is what makes it worthwhile. The Leaning Tower is under a five-minute walk away, so we got there early and took pictures without many people around. The hotel isn’t accessible, though: there’s a flight of stairs to climb, then another two or three steps to reach the rooms. Service was good. We asked about checking out after 11 and were told 11:45 would be fine; in the end we didn’t need the extra time, but it was nice to know we could linger around the tower. They sell water for one euro a bottle, and there’s a McDonald's Cafe just downstairs for a quick snack, though it doesn’t have burgers or sandwiches. Location, location, location.