B & B Ducale

A flat tire on a rental car caused me to make a last-minute online booking, and I used a credit card to reserve a room at B&B Al Ducale. Two hours later, while I was en route by train, the host sent me a message saying that he doesn't accept credit cards, and to please reply. This caused me to believe that the reservation hadn't gone through, and I messaged him that since I wasn't carrying that much cash with me, I wouldn't be coming.||||I suspected fraud, and I felt I had to make other plans. I also believed that the reservation hadn't gone through. When I heard back from the host, He informed me that the card had been accepted and there was no way to cancel as per policy, and that I had "misunderstood" his message. He wouldn't budge and rudely cited my "poor vacation planning" as the problem. He never had an explanation about why he sent the "pay in cash or bank transfer" message, saying I was at fault for cancelling. I had to pay for 2 nights that I didn't use. Don't stay here.

Giovanni is a very nice host and a very helpful person. The rooms at the back facing north-east are pleasantly quiet and you can sleep very well. Very nice is the proximity to the city and the park, which can be reached in a few minutes on foot. Finding a parking space is a bit of a challenge because the streets are small and there are just too many cars. Best Regards, Thomas

Initially booked just one night but on arrival decided to stay a second. The room is simply furnished but quite adequate. More importantly it came with a full size fridge and ice box which was so useful whilst Parma was sweltering at 34C.||Giovanni the owner lives on the first floor and delivers breakfast on a tray to your door at your desired time.||The location was on the right bank of the river but just 4 minutes walk to the centre of Parma on the left bank.||If using a car then Giovanni can arrange a permit for on street parking outside the appartment block or he has a lock up garage just 200m away which costs an additional €10 per night; well worth it.

This was my 3rd visit to Italy, Parma and B&B Al Ducale. The owners are so friendly and helpful, it is like visiting family. The flats are spacious with modern conveniences. It is conveniently located about 7 min walk to Piazza Garibaldi. Try I Due Gatti for the best pizza or Il Cortile for a lovely lunch or dinner. I will be back!!!

Somehow I have missed adding my comments about the B & B Ducale. My wife and I were referred to it as a great place for an extended stay when she was taking full immersion ltalian language courses. Over a four-year period, we spent close to five months here if all of our stays were combined. Proprietor Giovanni Pellegrini proved to be a caring and gracious host from the beginning and has become a good friend since. The B & B has several choices of accommodations with a range of moderate prices. Each day started with a soft knock on the door and a "Buon Giorno" as our breakfast was delivered at our preferred time. Giovanni took time to introduce us to the neighborhood, answer a myriad of questions, share a glass of wine and even get us tickets to the opera or Verdi Festival events. Parma is a beautiful and well-preserved, medieval city with even more ancient roots. The B & B Ducale is well-situated and walking-distance close to the city center.

Spotless, quiet, charming room in lovely Parma with a fine breakfast. ||Giovanni is a gracious host and very knowledgeable about opera too. I didn't want to leave! We highly recommend both the city of Parma and the Al Ducale for an interesting stopover somewhat off the tourist track between Milan and Florence.

This is a lovely Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Parma. Beautiful room and modern bathroom. We had a great room and the owner could not have been kinder. Breakfast was wonderful. I wish we had stayed longer.

Comfortable room, beautiful terrace, good location

We found this bed and breakfast through the Parma tourist office. We were looking for a clean, affordable accommodation with parking for one night not too far from the piazza. The location was really nice. The small locked parking garage was about half a block or so away. Our room was clean and spacious. The shower was really tight and a step up, but by this time I learned that spaces were creatively used in Italy and these things become the stuff of identifiable memories. Our host was extremely accommodating. Highly recommend contacting the host if you find yourself in Parma.