Il Merlo

For the price, this is a great option in Pisa, especially if you want somewhere inexpensive. The walk into the center takes about 20-30 minutes, so it's not especially close, but it's safe and pretty. The room was spacious, comfortable, and warm, and the shared bathroom was very clean. We did have to carry our luggage up some stairs because the apartment isn't at ground level. There's nothing wrong with the place, but it didn't quite earn five stars for me. I'd have given it 4.5 if Google allowed.

The owners were helpful and looked after any needs that came up. The room was comfortable and cozy, and the location is just a few minutes from the city center. A perfect place for a short stay or a longer one in Pisa.

There were two highlights to my stay: I slept well both nights, and woke to beautiful birdsong each morning. Il Merlo isn't accessible to someone using a wheelchair. From the station, take bus 4 and buy a ticket in the square, or pay a little more on the bus. A park is very close by, and the trees around the property attract plenty of birds. The room was clean and presentable, with a firm bed that helped me sleep. The stone floors are typical. The table lamp didn't work, the TV was tiny and probably unnecessary, and I struggled with the lack of power outlets. My bathroom was outside the room, but it was very clean, with a comfortable shower and amenities. The owner gave me towels, though there was only a soap dispenser at the sink. There's a kitchen for longer stays, which could save money: eating out might average 30-50€ a day, while cooking costs less than 10 if you do it yourself. You'll need to buy everything for cooking, as guests don't seem to share supplies. There is a small table with tea, hotel jam, and crackers. The doors squeak loudly. My south-facing room got hot, and I'm not sure it would be comfortable for sleeping in the peak of summer. It was early July when I stayed. There's no air conditioning, just a small fan that I had to angle carefully to keep it quiet. Leaving the window open at night meant running the provided mosquito repellent all the time, which I wouldn't want to do on a longer stay. It was generally quiet in the early morning and evening. There's also a small library, an iron and ironing board, and basically what you'd need for a tourist or business trip. The other guests were polite and kept quiet at night, even when arriving late. I think I noticed a faint cigarette smell in the bathroom on the first night.

The room only had a fan, which wasn't enough in that heat. With air conditioning, I'd have given it five stars. Otherwise it was spotless and quiet, the host seemed like a nice guy, and the place is close to the center. Good for one night in Pisa, though I can't say why you'd want to stay longer there.