Nicky J
Google
At first glance this simple, rather run down hotel seemed ok in a rather simple, family run place, stuck in a time warp.|My itinerary, generated by my company, had said I could upgrade to half board for €15 so on this basis , when I was asked at check in would I like dinner? I decided yes, and told her so.|My room was extreme dated, cold and very basic. A rock hard bed and aging pillows along with a nylon quilt cover did little to cheer me. |Despite the promise of WiFi, the signal was so poor that during my three day stay I was unable to upload important documents. Since I was in Palestrina on business it seemed pretty silly.|But now we come to the main reason for my dissatisfaction with this hotel and why I would have awarded zero rather than one if I could.|I was checked in by a perfectly amiable woman, as was the waiter who served me both nights. |Since there was no menu presented and a list of dishes suggested ( in Italian which is no problem for me but would have been impossible otherwise) I managed to get a mozzarella starter, steak, artichokes and two small jugs of the cheapest local wine and a bottle of fizzy water. It still seemed like a good deal for €15. |When I went up to bed I asked if there was something to sign to my room, which would have given me an idea of the price. No, it must be the €15.|Next evening I had pretty much the same except no mozzarella on offer but did I like fish? Without suggestions as to what the fish starter was I was somewhat surprised to be served a very old, very purées potato rather than fish, micro waved fish cake. Not good but steak and vegetables to follow ok.|I’d forgotten to add that the man I presume was the husband of the woman who had checked me in failed to smile or utter any kind of greeting. But on my final day with the absolutely GHASTLY breakfast- one stale croissant, a packet of dry biscuits with a plastic square of butter and some vile,red sugary ‘juice’- it was him who I had to settle my bill with.|I had fully expected the bill for food might be slightly higher since I’d had wine, but it really was of the cheapest, poorest quality. |Without even looking at me he began to write out my bill. My room rate was €10 a night more than agreed but it was not that which infuriated me.|He next fiddled with a calculator and came up with the preposition€38.70 PER DINNER!! A total of €77.40 for something of average at best quality, served in an empty restaurant. When I protested he handed me a blank paper, no prices next to any item, just the number of drinks and dishes I’d had, with no reference at all to the food. DISGRACEFUL. No wonder the restaurant was empty.|
