Hotel Cristallo Relais Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western

The breakfasts were the worst I’ve had. There was very little choice, the covers for the ham and cheese were broken, and half the coffee ended up in the saucer. The restaurant food was good, though, and on the first night we had a great waiter who was training to be a nurse. The second night they said we had to sit outside whether we wanted to or not, with very noisy music playing. Our room had four inadequate lights, and three didn’t work. A lovely maintenance man fixed one, but said the other two weren’t even connected. They began cleaning the room before we’d checked out, so when I went back for my last things, they were gone. This was an awful hotel. We only booked because it was part of Best Western, and expected it to be okay, even if not great.

I can’t remember the last time I stayed in such a bad hotel. We arrived an hour after check-in, but reception said our room wasn’t ready and we had to wait. The room itself was okay apart from the shower, which was covered in mold and smelled bad. I’d avoid breakfast there too. The waiters don’t seem concerned about replenishing the food, and maybe that’s just as well because it really wasn’t tasty.

After a tiring journey, I was ready to leave as soon as I got up. They handed over the key and assured me breakfast was included, but didn’t mention payment in advance. Then, after five minutes, they asked me to pay for the room just as I was going down for breakfast. I had to go back upstairs for money and an invoice details stamp. They couldn’t make the invoice then and said I’d get it later, even though they’d already been paid. I went back to leave my wallet and stamp, then tried breakfast again, only to be asked for another €7 by the person serving it. By then I’d lost my appetite. The staff don’t seem to know what they’re saying or what they want, and they mislead you. Their English isn’t very good. They treat you like a dog. I can’t recommend this place at all, and it isn’t even worth one star.

The rooms are spacious and clean, and the hotel itself looks lovely. The restaurant is a highlight too, with delicious food and what I thought was the best pizza in Italy.