BB Palazzo Lavagnoli

We only stayed one night, but we seriously considered finding somewhere else. If it had been a longer stay, we would have left. A previous reviewer called it a place fit for vampires. We thought that sounded over the top, but now we agree. This is described as a B&B, though it’s actually a property in the atrium of an old historic building. The bathroom is in the atrium, and a stone staircase leads to one room on a mezzanine. The ceiling is very low, and its only window looks into an internal courtyard. It’s an unusual setup, and I wonder whether it even meets habitability requirements without an outside-facing window. The place feels creepy, with vintage-style decor and portraits of unsettling people. It’s also DARK. A small window above the front door is the only source of natural light, so the whole space stays dark even in broad daylight. There are two closed doors, one wooden and secured with a padlock. Through them you can glimpse a large adjoining room, which we assume is an event space. It made us question whether this is a suitable tourist accommodation. The photos on Booking.com give the furnishings an extravagant look, but don’t really show how disturbing the place feels. The bright lighting in the pictures isn’t there in real life. The photos and older reviews also give a misleading impression of the amenities: the fridge was empty and noisy, the bathroom had one bar of soap and one small soap, and the TV had serious reception problems.

Right in the center, this is a very carefully kept home. The modern bathroom was thoughtfully done, with a selection of fragrances for guests. There’s a minibar stocked with what you need for an aperitif, along with an espresso machine and biscuits. The owner chose or made the tasteful, high quality paintings and furnishings.

The owner was so friendly and gave us plenty of ideas for places to eat and things to see. This two-level B&B is tastefully furnished and right in the heart of the city, very close to the Arena. The downstairs bathroom and upstairs bedroom were a little inconveniently arranged, but I’d still highly recommend it.

The manager was incredibly helpful and friendly. The place is lovely, carefully furnished with lots of attention to detail, and the minibar is fully stocked at no extra cost. Highly recommended.