Italy's Hidden Gem: Unbeatable Deals at Best Western Plus City Hotel!
Italy's Hidden Gem: Best Western Plus City Hotel - A Review So Real, It's Practically a Confession (Plus, Deals You Won't Believe!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the pasta on the Best Western Plus City Hotel. Forget those glossy travel brochures and picture-perfect Instagram shots. This is the real deal, and let me tell you, it’s got its quirks, its joys, and enough surprises to make you shout "Mamma Mia!" at least once during your stay. And yeah, it’s got those “unbeatable deals” too. We'll get to those.
First Impressions: Accessibility, and My Own (Relatively) Clumsy Entrance
Okay, being brutally honest, I'm not a wheelchair user, but I did take a moment to check out the accessibility. The Best Western Plus City Hotel does seem to be making an effort. Elevator? Check. Ramps? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Listed. (I didn't test them, being able-bodied, but it's a promising start. It's Italy though, and even accessible places can be a bit ahem… rustic in their execution).
My entrance, on the other hand, was far less graceful. I tripped on a cobblestone (classic tourist move) just outside the entrance, almost face-planting into a Vespa. Thankfully, the doorman, bless his soul, practically sprinted to my rescue. Talk about a warm welcome! So, yeah, the doorman gets a major thumbs up, and, well, maybe invest in some sensible shoes if you're as accident-prone as I am.
Rooms: Cozy, Cleanish, and Let's Talk about the Coffee…
My room? Let me just say, it wasn’t the Taj Mahal (that's in India, duh!). But it was clean - incredibly important - and functional. Air conditioning? Praise the sun, yes. Free Wi-Fi? Hallelujah! (And it worked, which is a minor miracle in some hotels). Free bottled water? Always a win. Blackout curtains? Yes, thank goodness for those… needed to sleep in after that Vespa scare!
They even had a coffee/tea maker. Now, look - I'm a coffee snob. I need my caffeine fix. And the coffee… well, it wasn't amazing. Let’s call it… adequate. The complimentary tea, however, was quite decent. I mean, you can't win them all, right? The bathrobes and slippers were a nice touch – felt very decadent after a long day of exploring.
The Great Sanitation Games: Cleanliness and Safety in the Time of… Well, You Know.
Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room. COVID. The Best Western Plus City Hotel, bless their germ-fighting little hearts, is obsessed with cleanliness. They're really going all out.
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Yep.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? You betcha.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Yup.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? Sure seem like it.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere you look? Oh, yes.
I even saw a sterilizing equipment being wheeled around, which was a bit unnerving but, hey, safety first! Frankly, this place is cleaner than my own apartment (which, let's be honest, is saying very little). The only awkwardness was the physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Trying to eat a plate of pasta while maintaining that distance felt like a bizarre Olympic sport. But hey, it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (With Some Minor Hiccups)
Okay, the food. This is where it gets interesting.
- Breakfast [buffet]? Yes! (And a decent one, with a surprising selection of pastries).
- A la carte in restaurant? Yep.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant? Duh.
Now, the restaurant itself was kind of… meh. The International cuisine felt a bit… generic. The Asian cuisine in restaurant felt oddly out of place in Italy, but hey, options are nice. The Asian breakfast was… interesting. I stuck to the Western stuff. The salad I had was fresh, but not mind-blowing. The soup was okay, fine, passable.
However… the Poolside bar? Now that was worth it. Picture this: lounging by the swimming pool [outdoor] (which had a magnificent pool with view), sipping a Spritz (yes, they make a mean Spritz), and watching the sun set over… well, whatever was over there. Bliss. Happy hour? Exist! And I definitely took advantage of it.
The Snack bar was a lifesaver for those mid-afternoon hunger pangs. I also liked the convenience of the Bottle of water they left in the room, and a desserts in restaurant was delicious.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Laundry
- Air conditioning in public area? A must-have in Italy.
- Cash withdrawal? Convenient.
- Concierge? Helpful, but didn’t offer to help me find my shoes after my Vespa incident.
- Elevator? Yes, praise the heavens.
- Laundry service? Used it. Good value.
- Luggage storage? Essential, especially after a shopping spree.
Now, a word of warning about the Internet. While they advertise Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, the signal could be patchy at times. I found myself wandering into the lobby, hoping to find a stronger connection. But, that's life! But hey, if you need actual, reliable internet for a ton of stuff, use the Internet [LAN] instead.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa, Fitness, and… Well, Italy
This is where the Best Western Plus City Hotel really shines. Okay, so the Fitness center might not be state-of-the-art, but it has the essentials. They have a Spa, the Sauna, and a Steamroom. I didn't have time for a Body scrub or a Body wrap, but the idea was certainly appealing. The massage was heavenly, totally worth it after all that exploring, and the Foot bath, was so relaxing!
But let's be honest, the real thing to do in Italy isn't just relaxing in the hotel. It's seeing Italy! This hotel is in a fantastic spot, and getting around is easy.
For the Kids: Babysitting? Maybe, Kids Meal? Probably, Family/child friendly? Probably, but…
I didn’t bring any kids there, so I didn't deeply inspect the Kids facilities or if they had a Kids meal. On the website, it mentioned a Babysitting service, and the hotel seems pretty Family/child friendly. If you're traveling with kids, I'd recommend double-checking on what's available.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location (and a Free Car Park!)
The hotel's location is fantastic. It's close to everything. Taxi service? Available. Airport transfer? Yep. They even have a Car park [free of charge]. A car park in Italy? And free? That’s practically unheard of!
The Quirks, The Imperfections, and Why I'd Still Recommend It
Look, the Best Western Plus City Hotel isn't perfect. The coffee is so-so. The restaurant can be a bit bland. And yes, I almost killed myself on a cobblestone.
BUT…
The cleanliness, the fantastic location, the friendly staff (especially the doorman!), the amazing poolside bar and the deals…oh the deals! They more than make up for any minor imperfections.
So, here’s my (slightly rambling, brutally honest) verdict: Yes, book it!
The Unbeatable Deals You NEED to Know About
Okay, here's the good stuff. The Best Western Plus City Hotel routinely offers some seriously amazing deals.
- Early Bird Specials: Book in advance. They're almost always cheaper than booking last minute.
- Package Deals: Look for packages that include breakfast, dinner, or spa treatments. They can save you a ton of money.
- Off-Season Travel: Travel during the shoulder season (spring or fall) for the best prices.
- Loyalty Programs: Sign up for the Best Western rewards program for exclusive offers and discounts. Trust me. It's worth it.
My Personal Recommendation:
Seriously, if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, well-located hotel with a fantastic spa, great pool, and unbeatable deals, the Best Western Plus City Hotel is the way to go. Just, you know, watch out for those cobblestones. And drink the Spritz. You won't regret it.
Guangzhou Shijing Metro: Your Luxurious City Comfort Inn Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn’t your grandma’s perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, gelato-stained truth of my experience at the Best Western Plus City Hotel in Italy.
Day 1: Arrival (and Immediate Tactical Error)
- 7:00 AM: Alarm screams. Actually, it whines, like a dying cat. Jet lag is already trying to kill me. Managed to stumble out of bed looking like a poorly-dressed, caffeinated zombie. That's a win, right?
- 8:00 AM: Arrive at the airport, barely functioning. That's when I made the first tactical error: I didn't pre-book the airport transfer. Idiot move. Waited for a ride.
- 9:30 AM: Finally, FINALLY, in the hotel. The lobby is… well, it’s a Best Western. Clean enough, I guess. Receptionist is trying to be charming but looks slightly weary. (Understandable. I'm probably not her first grumpy American tourist of the day).
- 10:00 AM: The room: not bad! Clean, and the air conditioning is actually working. Victory! I unpack…or rather, I throw everything into the closet and pretend it’s all organized. First thought: "I should’ve packed more underwear."
- 11:00 AM: Okay, time for my "orientation" walk. This is where it started to unravel. I’m supposed to be a seasoned traveler, but I keep getting completely lost. Got sidetracked by a tiny, impossibly cute shoe store. I spent 30 minutes deciding between some ridiculous bright yellow loafers that I'd never wear and some classic Italian boots. I went with the boots. Impulse buying is my love language!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch! Found a tiny trattoria recommended by a particularly opinionated Yelp review. Ordered the pasta carbonara. It was… chef’s kiss. Pure, unadulterated, creamy heaven. I ate it so fast, I almost choked. And promptly spilled sauce on my new boots. (See? Idiot’s lesson lesson learned.)
- 3:00 PM: Wander around. I tried to find the main square, but ended up in a dodgy alleyway with a guy selling counterfeit bags. Nope. Back to the safe streets.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a "rest." Meaning, I passed out on the bed. Wake up disoriented, wondering if I've slept through the apocalypse.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food was decent. I ordered the steak, but it wasn't quite as good as the carbonara. I'm starting to suspect that nothing will ever be as good as that carbonara.
- 9:00 PM: Attempt to watch some Italian TV. Failed miserably. My Italian is terrible. I ended up watching endless reruns of some American sitcom dubbed in Italian. The overdubbing was hilarious. It saved the night.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Exhausted. Jet lag is winning, but hey! At least I have new shoes.
Day 2: The Obsession (and the Gelato Incident)
- 8:00 AM: The glorious Italian breakfast! Coffee, croissants, and a weird, almost medicinal-tasting juice. Fueling the adventure!
- 9:00 AM: Today: Gelato quest. My mission: find the best gelato in the city. This is serious business.
- 9:30 AM: First gelato place: good, but not great. Notes: "Slightly icy texture. Vanilla too subtle. Needs more… oomph." This is getting serious. I'm a gelato connoisseur.
- 10:30 AM: Second gelato place: perfection. Pistachio divine. Hazelnut? To die for. I practically inhaled the thing. I have now embraced the gelato lifestyle. Zero regrets.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Wandering around, fueled by sugar and caffeine. Found a hidden courtyard filled with flowers. Took approximately a million photos. (My Instagram is going to be fire).
- 2:00 PM: Lunch: a sandwich. Mediocre. I'm starting to compare everything to that carbonara. It's a problem.
- 3:00 PM: The Gelato Incident. I tripped. I fell. I landed face-first in a pile of… well, let's just say the gelato didn't survive. My pride is somewhat bruised. My clothes are sticky. My mood? Slightly wrecked.
- 3:30 PM: I went back to the gelato place. Ordered another. This time, I took extra care. This time, I walked away.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Showered. Regrouped.
- 5:00 PM: Decided to write some diary.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More delicious Italian food! Pasta… again. Not carbonara, but it was a valiant effort. The waiter was cute. Probably the best part of the meal.
- 9:00 PM: More Italian TV. More laughing at the horrible dubbing.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Dreaming of gelato.
Day 3: The Museum Debacle and the Epiphany
- 8:00 AM: Same glorious breakfast, same weird juice. Okay, this is what I'm eating in Italy. This is my life now.
- 9:00 AM: Attempted to visit a museum. Attempted. Found the entrance, joined the queue, realized the queue was a mile long and I was dying. Surrendered. Exit.
- 9:30 AM: Wandering aimlessly again. I’m starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, I'm not the best at following a plan. This is supposed to be a relaxing vacation, and all I'm doing is stressing about schedules.
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: I found a park. Read a book. Watched people. Actually enjoyed myself. It was wonderful!
- 3:00 PM: Realization: I don't have to be a perfect tourist. I can just… be.
- 4:00 PM: Found a little café and had a coffee. Sat there for an hour, just watching the world go by. It was incredibly relaxing.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a new restaurant. It was delicious!
- 8:00 PM: Decided to get some local wine and visit one of the hotel's common areas. Turns out there are other lovely travelers.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the room. Relaxed, content. Italy isn’t about ticking boxes on a list. It's about getting lost, accidentally eating too much gelato, and maybe, just maybe, finding something you didn't expect, like a better version of yourself.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Thinking maybe I should extend my stay.
Day 4: Departure (and a Promise to Return)
- 7:00 AM: Alarm. Ugh.
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast. I'm going to miss this.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. The receptionist was still smiling (she's a saint). This time I called for a ride to the airport, but I was still late.
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Flight. Safe.
- 2:00 PM: A promise to return to Italy.
This isn't a perfect itinerary. It's a messy, chaotic, and utterly human account of my trip. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Italy, I'll be back. And next time, I'm buying a gelato bib.
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Italy's Best-Kept Secret: Best Western Plus City Hotel - FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, You're Probably Curious)
Okay, spill the beans. What's *actually* so "hidden gem" about this place? Is it just marketing fluff?
Alright, alright, you got me. "Hidden gem" *is* a bit of a buzzword. But hear me out. I stumbled upon this place – the Best Western Plus City Hotel, in… well, let's just say "somewhere amazing in Italy," without giving away its precise location (part of its charm!). The deals are genuinely unbelievable. We’re talking, like, "had to double-check the price tag twice" unbelievable. I stayed there last spring during the off-season – and let me tell you, I was practically swimming in discounted rates with a room that felt like it should've cost a *fortune*. Seriously, my bank account was breathing a sigh of relief. Plus, it's not just cheap, it's *good*. Which, let’s be honest, is the real hidden gem combo.
How do I *find* these unbeatable deals? Websites, magic, what's the secret?!
The secret? It's not particularly secret, but it does take a *little* digging. First, obviously, check the Best Western Plus City Hotel's official website. (Duh.) But don't stop there! I've found the best deals often by browsing aggregator sites like Booking.com and Expedia. Compare prices, compare dates. Be flexible with your travel dates! Seriously, even shifting by a few days can make a HUGE difference. And, here’s my pro tip: often, booking directly with the hotel *can* give you a special deal. It's worth a phone call (or an email – I’m not an "on the phone" kind of person, personally). You might just snag a better rate or added perks like a welcome drink! I did once. Scored a free glass of Prosecco. Divine.
So, it's cheap... but is it, y'know, *clean*? Because I'm not about to sleep in a biohazard zone.
Okay, *fair* question. I'm a bit of a clean freak (don't judge!), so trust me – cleanliness is a *huge* deal. The Best Western Plus City Hotel? Spotless! I swear, you could practically eat off the floors (though I wouldn't recommend it, purely out of principle!). My room was immaculate. Fresh linens, sparkling bathroom, zero questionable smells. You know the feeling – that sigh of relief when you walk in and feel instantly comfortable? Yeah, got that. So, relax. You won’t be needing those hazmat suits.
What about breakfast? Is it the usual sad continental fare, or is there, like, actual food?
Breakfast! Now *that's* where the Best Western Plus City Hotel really shines. Forget the stale croissants and watery coffee. They have a proper buffet. I'm talking fresh pastries (like, *really* fresh – not the day-old, sad, dry things you get elsewhere), a decent selection of cheeses and cold cuts, fresh fruit (the strawberries were amazing!), and a coffee machine that actually makes a *good* cappuccino. Seriously, I'm a coffee snob, and I was impressed. Plus, they had these little mini-omelettes that were *divine*. I may or may not have eaten approximately seven of them. Don't judge me! Breakfast is important.
Is it a good location? I don't want to spend my entire holiday on a bus.
Okay, location, location, LOCATION! This is definitely a strong point. It's not *right* in the super-touristy, ridiculously-expensive part of town, but it's close enough to everything you actually *want* to see. I could walk to the main attractions. I could hop on a bus with ease. I'm terrible with directions, and even *I* didn't get lost more than once (and that was because I was distracted by a particularly handsome gelato stand). Seriously, the location is fantastic. It's also in a quieter area, which means you can actually get some sleep at night. Bliss.
What's the "catch"? There has to be one!
Alright, here's the deal. There's *always* a catch, right? This hotel isn't the Ritz. It's comfortable, clean, and efficient, but it's not luxury. The rooms are well-appointed, but don't expect a gold-plated toilet seat (although, wouldn't that be something?). Also, sometimes the elevators are a little… slow. And, you know, service can be… *Italian*. By that, I mean, friendly but not necessarily lightning-fast. But honestly? Those are minor quibbles. The pros *far* outweigh the cons. Honestly, I can overlook a slow elevator for the price and the amazing location. And, if I have learned a thing or two about Italian service, it is that you just have to channel your inner *sprezzatura* and embrace the chaos.
I'm a foodie. Is there good food *nearby*?
Oh, absolutely! And this is where things get *really* good. The hotel is surrounded by amazing, authentic Italian restaurants. Forget the tourist traps! I'm talking little trattorias, family-run places where the pasta is made fresh every day. I stumbled upon this tiny place one night – "La Tavola del Nonna" (not the real name, to protect its deliciousness!) – and I was *blown away*. The best carbonara of my LIFE. Seriously, I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. The food, the atmosphere... it was pure Italy! I could spend all day just going there and eating. The waiter didn't speak much English, I didn't speak much Italian, but somehow we managed to communicate through a shared love of carbs and delicious sauces. Food, food, food. Just go hungry, and you'll be golden.
Did you *really* love it? Or are you just trying to sell me something?
Okay, truth time. Do I *really* love it? Honestly? Yes. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I don't get a commission (sadly!). But I had such a great experience that I want to share it. It's not perfect, nothing is. But the Best Western Plus City Hotel, for the price, the location, and the overall experience? It's a winner in my book. Would I go back? Absolutely! In fact, I'm already planning my next trip. And if you find yourself there, raise a glass of Prosecco for me. Or maybe just tell the mini-omelette chef that I say "Ciao!"
