La Residenza dei Papi

The house has several serious drawbacks that guests should know about before booking. There’s no working Wi-Fi, and the living room door opens onto a six-meter drop with no guardrail, so it doesn’t seem suitable for children. We were also told about discounts at nearby businesses, but the shopkeepers we spoke with knew nothing about any agreed price reductions, even though they were kind and willing to offer us discounts themselves. Getting there is a challenge: it’s high up in the village, reached by climbing 170 steps, and the car has to be left at the far end of the parking lot. A local man kindly carried our luggage in his Ape, which made arrival much easier. When we arrived there was no hot water, but a technician was sent promptly and got the broken boiler running again. Unfortunately, that also switched on the radiators, and the house reached 31 degrees. It was very hot, with only a fan, and our message asking what to do went unanswered. We stayed just two nights, so didn’t push further, but would have insisted on a fix for a longer stay. Guests should be told about the stairs, the unsafe door, the Wi-Fi, and the lack of confirmed discounts before arriving.

Being so close to the majestic Marmore Falls made visiting the site especially easy, and we loved having that nearby. We spent three nights at Residenza dei Papi and were delighted with the stay. The place is roomy, welcoming, and spotless, with helpful staff who made us feel at home. Its rooms are thoughtfully arranged: the living room is bright and comfortable, while the bedrooms are quiet and cozy after a day out. The kitchen has everything needed to cook a meal for a quiet night in. Residenza dei Papi sits in the heart of Papigno, in a peaceful residential area close to the city’s main attractions. Modern comforts sit alongside historic details that give the property plenty of charm.

The setting is beautiful and moving, but staying in the house was terrifying. It’s old and dirty, and the furniture is too. The TVs don’t work, Wi-Fi is available but unusable, and the toiletries were sparse and stale. The shutters won’t close and the screens are broken, so we couldn’t leave the windows open. Nights were scorching, with no air conditioning and just one fan in the kitchen and living room. Never again. Avoid it.

We’re posting this late, since we booked through Booking.com, and we’re sorry to anyone who stayed after us. We can’t give it zero stars, unfortunately. The house was extremely dirty and uncomfortable, and we were freezing. A terrible experience.