B&B Borgo del Fornello

My brother and I were meant to stay two nights, but after a freezing night and Bruno's lack of concern, we left and lost the payment for the second night. In the morning I heard him telling another guest that "the American woman was complaining about the cold," and they laughed. He may not have thought I understood, but I did. Their conversation was right outside my room, and it was rude and unkind of him to talk about me that way. The house looks like an interesting old relic at first, but on closer inspection it's in disrepair. My brother and I both tripped on the stairs the first time we came down. The attic door, which Bruno said we could use to dry clothes after washing them, is in the ceiling at the top of shaky stairs more like a ladder, and weighs about 50 pounds. The attic was dingy and dirty, so we didn't hang our clothes there. The washing machine's detergent drawer was moldy and disgusting. Bruno spoke to me condescendingly in every conversation. I couldn't tell whether he disliked Americans, women, or maybe both. We had a lot of trouble understanding each other. When I pulled out my phone to use a translation app, he scolded me, saying he'd studied English for 15 years and that I was talking too fast. I wasn't. I spoke slowly and repeated my questions several times. The room was freezing. Early in the evening I asked if the radiator worked, and Bruno acted as if he'd forgotten to turn it on, then switched it on. A few hours later it was cold again. When I asked, he said he could only turn it back on for another hour because "gas is so expensive," and told me to use the extra bed's blankets. I slept in my clothes and coat, with a heating pad and four blankets, and still froze. I started sneezing in the night and was still sick days later. If heating costs so much, the rate should cover it. At minimum, guests should be told there's an extra charge for heat, like the 5€ fee for using the washer, so they can choose. I would gladly have paid for a warmer room. Instead, the radiators are on a timer that switches off in the middle of the night. A host should provide a safe, comfortable stay, and Bruno didn't.

Bruno is a great host, easygoing and accommodating. His old-style house has loads of character. Thanks, Bruno!

After reading some earlier reviews, we arrived with a few concerns, on a rainy day during our Via degli Dei trek. Bruno welcomed us to his 1667 home with tea and cookies, and his English was great. For an extra 25€ per person, he cooked dinner and ate with us: pasta, steak, salad, fruit, wine, and cake. Later we sat in the dining room talking and having liqueur with other guests who'd eaten at a restaurant. Our room was clean and comfortable, with a good shower. Breakfast was very simple, but typical for the trek. I'd recommend staying here.

A really excellent place!