Grand Bijoux Torino Centrale

The owner was really kind and helpful, and the apartment was spotless, welcoming, and had all the comforts we needed. There were 11 of us staying for my daughter’s race. My only complaint is that a few mattresses are a bit saggy and could do with replacing.

We were 12 people, so we rented both apartments for extra space. They’re in the same building, Grand Bijoux and Bijoux, but booking sites list them separately. I only realized they were two separate places after contacting the owner. Both have their own entrance. The first-floor apartment is very large, with five bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, and three bathrooms, and can sleep more than 16. The ground-floor one has two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, and kitchen. There was plenty of room for our group, and both places were very clean and equipped for stays of several days. Beds were made, towels and bathroom essentials were provided, and the owner had left coffee, tea, and cold drinks. There’s also fast Wi-Fi and a printer for guests. I was there for work and had a great stay. The center is about a 15-minute walk away, or just a few bus stops.

The listing photos make the apartment look clean, new, and tidy, but it was dirty, old, and badly renovated. The appliances, including the vacuum cleaner, boiler, and washing machine, were hardly usable. I couldn’t get a decent shower, and one bedroom was freezing. There was also a really unpleasant diesel smell in the landing.

There’s a supermarket close by, and the area is very quiet. The apartment is clean and roomy, with lots of well-equipped rooms, so it works well for a group of students. There are a few minor restrictions to keep in mind, though they make the apartment experience better. It’s a good place, and long stays are possible without any trouble.