Ark Hotel

The staff were friendly and helpful, and breakfast had plenty of choice and was really good. It’s also handy for the train station and an easy walk into the old town. But I wouldn’t rate this as a four-star hotel. It felt more like a UK Premier Inn, with no restaurant on site and very basic rooms. Our shower cubicle was unpleasant to use because it was so mouldy, and the room cleaning needs work.

I spent two days at Ark, and the room was very simple for a four-star hotel, though that’s not what I want to focus on. On my last day I was leaving the lobby to ride my scooter when my mobile network failed, so I went back inside to use the hotel Wi-Fi. I’d left my wallet in a small side bag, and it was stolen. I looked for it in the lobby and outside in the smoking area, but couldn’t find it. It was probably taken, of course. I asked the reception staff whether there were cameras because I think I know who took my wallet. They said there weren’t any. They barely helped, even though they could see I was frightened and desperate. They didn’t even offer me water. Shameful, nasty service, just like the hotel.

I’m currently cycling from Warsaw to Portugal and filming videos about life in the countries I visit. When I politely asked reception if I could use the Wi-Fi, I was refused and told some Italian law prohibited it. I’d like to know which law or hotel rule the staff member meant, both for Wi-Fi access and for entering the lobby as a non-guest. I’ve visited over 40 countries and stayed in hundreds of hotels, and have only occasionally run into something like this in Italy. It seems unusual, and I’d genuinely like to understand why financial interests appear to come before basic human values. Frankly, it brings to mind apartheid in South Africa, when people were categorized and their rights limited based on status or belonging. I wouldn’t personally stay at a hotel that sorts people into categories and refuses a simple, harmless request. If non-guests really can’t enter the lobby, the hotel should put up a clear sign at the entrance saying access is restricted to guests. I hope this message prompts you to reconsider how you handle these situations. Have a good day.

The location worked really well, close to the new railway station and the center, about a 15-minute walk away. Parking was only 10 euro a night. The rooms were very clean and had everything you need, and breakfast went beyond croissants with omelet, bacon, cheese, and other food. The staff were very friendly and helpful.