SuperAlto's Travel Reviews: Alcôve & Agapes No. 241

All ratings are out of 5 possible points

Overall: 5 (would definitely book again)

Location: 5
Comfort: 4
Staff: 5
Breakfast: 5
Website

This bed & breakfast was rented through Alcôve & Agapes

Location: This B&B is located in a 17th-century building on Ile Saint-Louis, in the heart of Paris. A short walk to Notre Dame or the Metro, and surrounded by shops selling Berthillon ice cream.

Comfort: The flat is on the third floor of the building (70 steps), with no elevator. There is a private entry leading directly into bedroom 241. A second bedroom lies next door, with two twin beds, and room for a cot if needed. These two bedrooms share a shower and toilet in the hallway. The hallway is divided by a heavy curtain from the third bedroom (and separate bath) that is also available (No. 359). The beds were comfortable, the towels were soft and thick, and the rooms were bright and airy. The only sink was located in the same room as the shower. After using the toilet, we had to go to the next room to wash our hands, often interrupting someone in the shower. The street below is busy, with many restaurants and shops--on hot nights, it's too hot to sleep with the windows closed (no A/C), but too noisy to sleep with the windows open.

Staff: Carol was extremely generous, kind, and helpful. On the first day, we arrived from the train station too early to officially check in (she wasn't done vacuuming), but in addition to letting us store our luggage in the room, she offered us drinks and had saved pastries from breakfast for our ever-hungry children. She recommended good restaurants, remembered our favorite pastries at breakfast, and was always available to answer questions or just chat.

Breakfast: Delicious! Every morning we were faced with a basket of assorted croissants, a plate of fruit, a pile of chouquettes, a baguette, yogurt, butter, and four kinds of jams/jellies, all on a beautifully set table:

SuperAlto's Travel Reviews: Cod. 091 Historic Center - Monti

All ratings are out of 5 possible points

Overall: 5 (would definitely book again)

Location: 5
Comfort: 5
Staff: 5
Breakfast: n/a

Website

We rented an apartment in Rome through the Bed and Breakfast Association of Rome.

Location: The apartment is centrally located, near a Metro stop and within walking distance of the train station and the Coliseum. (We also walked to Vatican City, but I don't recommend trying that unless you REALLY like walking.) We were on a quiet street in a Roman neighborhood, buying our groceries and eating out without encountering hordes of other tourists. As advertised, the apartment is on the third floor (68 steps from the lobby), with no elevator.

Comfort: A spacious two-bedroom apartment, IKEA-furnished, with air conditioning and a washing machine in the small kitchen. The bathroom was split, with toilet/bidet/tiny sink in one room, and shower/small sink in the other room. This is a good layout for four people, as one person in the shower doesn't tie up the entire bathroom.

The kitchen was adequately equipped for our needs, with dishes, utensils, and assorted pots and pans. We cooked a small dinner most nights: pasta, canned sauce, meat sauteed in a frying pan. The washing machine (once I figured out how to operate it) worked well, and we eventually found the drying rack in a closet. The beds and couch were all comfortable. The towels were a bit on the thin side, but there were plenty of extra ones.

Staff: Marie at the Bed & Breakfast Assn. was very helpful, answering my various questions and suggesting apartments that fit our needs. Once we arrived at the apartment, Rosa, the owner, was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, she did not speak English, and I don't speak Italian, but she managed to communicate most of the necessary information to me, only once having to call her English-speaking daughter to answer one of my questions. She also left us a bottle of wine as a welcome gift.

SuperAlto's Travel Reviews: Residenza Il Villino, Florence, Italy

All ratings are out of 5 possible points

Overall: 5 (would definitely book again)

Location: 5
Comfort: 4
Staff: 5
Breakfast: 5
Website

Location:  Il Villino is centrally located, within walking distance of all the major sights. It was a bit further from the train station than we had anticipated, and we elected to take a cab when we departed so that we wouldn't have to make that hike again in the July heat.

Comfort: We had a family suite on the first floor, between the entrance door and the gate pictured above. The children had a separate bedroom with twin beds, while DH and I slept in the main room.

The couch was lumpy and uncomfortable, but we didn't spend much time sitting on it. The beds were very comfortable. There was also a dining table, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom with a shower. The bathroom was quite cramped, with the toilet and bidet a step down (we called it "the well"):

The suite was spacious, with high ceilings, but the windows and shades were kept closed for security and privacy, so there wasn't much natural light. The air conditioning worked well. We felt very secure at Il Villino, with electronic locks on all the doors and gates.

Staff: All of the people we met were friendly and helpful. Sergio was on duty when we arrived. He showed us how to operate all of the various locks and keys, showed us a shorter walking route for our return to the train station (we must have looked rather tired and sweaty), and recommended a delicious restaurant for dinner.

Breakfast: Delicious, varied selection. Blood orange juice, tea, coffee, and either cappucino or espresso made to order. Fresh fruit, meat, cornetti, packaged toast, and more. Breakfast was served outside in a lovely courtyard:

SuperAlto's Travel Reviews: Pensione Guerrato, Venice, Italy

All ratings are out of 5 possible points

Overall: 5 (would definitely book again)

Location: 5
Comfort: 4
Staff: 5
Breakfast: 4
Website

Location: Pensione Guerrato is located next to the Rialto Market, within easy walking distance of all the major sites. It was easy to reach from the train station, despite a vaporetto strike that left us on foot for the day.

Comfort: We were assigned to room 25, on the top floor, a quad with private shower:

As advertised, there is no elevator, and 75 steps to climb. Our room had a double bed and two twins, with adequate air conditioning. The room and bathroom were spacious, bright, and clean. The only problem we had is that hot water was in very short supply on the top floor. Our showers (brief ones!) ranged from lukewarm to cool.

Staff: The staff was very friendly and helpful. Piero was on duty when we arrived from the train station, and he helped us store our luggage until check-in time, and directed us to a coffee shop where we could get some breakfast. During the evenings, the woman at the desk (sorry, I forgot her name!) gave us excellent recommendations for dinner, and accurate directions to get to the restaurants.

Breakfast: The food was plentiful and tasty, but the coffee left something to be desired. (I am not a coffee drinker, but M and J are, and M refused to drink it at all.) A typical breakfast consisted of coffee, tea, orange juice, apple-filled cornetti (yum!), yogurt, soft cheese, packaged toast, and probably something else I've forgotten. Italian opera played in the background added to the atmosphere, although the dining room seemed to be exclusively populated by Americans.