Antica Pusterla Relais De Charme

Bo Stuart6 months ago

1/5

Caution for Future Travelers: A Word of Warning Regarding This Establishment Potential guests, exercise prudence and reconsider choosing this accommodation. I initially secured a long-term reservation from October 23 to December 1 via AirBnB, which markets the property as a "luxury-upscale establishment." However, post-booking, the hotel contacted me through WhatsApp, urging a cancellation of the AirBnB reservation and use direct booking with them to bypass Air BnB fees. This initial contact raised red flag #1, signaling deceptive business practices. I recommend an investigation by AirBnB as the establishment clearly leverages their platform for advertising but encourages direct bookings to avoid fees. Specifically opting for a luxury room with a yard due to an extended stay with my dog, I encountered a disconcerting situation upon arrival. The manager claimed to provide an upgrade to a larger room, deviating from the luxury room with a yard I had booked. Additionally there is only a single room with a yard, so there is no confusion on the room I booked. Despite expressing concerns, the manager insisted that it was an upgrade, mirroring other Google reviews citing a "bait and switch" tactic. It seems that while there might be one luxury room available, guests are unlikely to receive it, making red flag #2. Furthermore, the presence of an aggressive Labrador retriever upon arrival, barely contained within the yard with haphazard plywood boards and chicken wire zip-tied to the gate, contradicts the advertised "luxury-upscale" status (refer to attached photos). The dog barks and jumps up and down at the gate and howls whenever nearby church bells ring. This was red flag #3. The room assigned to me (room #3) fell far from the promised luxury status, and all room son the second floor ( #2, #3, and #4) were basic budget accommodations lacking toiletries. Pillow quality was subpar, necessitating a personal purchase for comfort. Cleaning only occurred upon request, and the responsibility for obtaining basic amenities like toilet paper fell on the guest—red flag #4. Despite the claim of free parking on AirBnB, charges were imposed upon arrival. Promoted as a "pet-friendly" hotel, a nightly pet fee of 20 euros were levied, totaling 780 euros for my stay. Additionally, the 501 euro charge for cleaning fees were unjustified, given the minimal maid service provided over 39 days (4 cleanings)—red flag #5. During my stay, my dog caused a minor tear in the kitchen drapes. The manager, quoted an exorbitant 729 euros for a single sheer drape. Suggestions for cost-effective replacements were dismissed in favor of the original amount or a 600-euro payment for four lower-quality drapes, with a more dubious proposal for a 500-euro cash payment to circumvent taxes—red flag #6. As a DoD-affiliated traveler, I've alerted Vicenza Army base authorities to caution fellow DoD travelers against choosing this establishment. My advice extends to all travelers: steer clear of this budget hotel disguised as a "luxury" option. Their questionable practices commenced with my initial reservation and persisted throughout my stay, casting doubt on the integrity and transparency of this establishment.