Messina

Having pre booked all accommodation including the B&B Alba Domus as part of a trip through Europe, received an email while on the road 10 days before scheduled to arrive for a 3 night stay at the B & B Alba Domus. I'm travelling with my mother (senior), so I've specifically selected accommodation that suited us for location and nearby amenities.Management indicated that because of "technical difficulties" the lodging was unavailable. Alternative accommodation was arranged approx 1km away at his partners B & B, the B & B Messina. Understanding that issues do happen, on faith, turned up at the alternate accommodation after having to chase up a refund for the difference in pricing myself as well and ensure that all other inclusions were part of the package. The management agreed to refund EUR10 per night (EUR30 total). On arrival we found the place to be unattended with nothing but a doorbell and phone number labelled on it. After calling the number was greeted by a "oaahh". Hardly the response I'd expected. A struggle to communicate (the other end did not speak English) eventuated in us waiting out the front for 20-30 minutes. The same person that answered the phone (not management) arrived to check us in and was in the "reception area" with his friends socialising until late that night. I politely went to the reception area and asked them to lower the noise as my mother was trying to sleep after a day of travelling, but after a few minutes the noise returned. There were other people staying who also seemed to think that they were the only guests in the place and ran around noisily into the night, disturbing other guests. The walls and doors are paper thin. The provided breakfast was from a snack bar around the corner and a choice of one pastry from the cabinet and a drink. Deciding not to stay any longer, booked accommodation elsewhere for the remaining two nights. Despite attempting to negotiate a fair deal, management refused to refund any money for the remaining two nights accommodation. Also requested a receipt for the City Tax payment (all up front) was not provided with one, although was refunded the City Tax payment for the other paid nights. Should you decide to stay in this place, DO NOT PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT. Highly recommend that you look for alternative accommodation elsewhere, you will get much better for the price. We relocated to The Napoleon Hotel directly through their website.