Relais Ducale

Small terrace on nice square. Service very quiet and friendly. No stress.

We were overall quite disappointed with the hotel. We had a room called a junior suite (the room is large + a hallway with a massage chair + bathroom) Positive points: superb balcony with a view of the palace, the countryside, and the hills. Superb sunset. Attentive and friendly staff The negative points are more numerous: outdated furniture but especially old-fashioned (two armchairs facing the bed for what purpose?), bulky massage chair and not enough space to place 2 suitcases. The bathroom is unworthy of a 4-star hotel: mold around the bathtub, an old bathtub with a shower curtain, a dark brown bathroom cabinet with all the paint chipped, and no ventilation. As many other guests have said, the reception area is really outdated and deserves a modern update. And one last point that the hotel is not responsible for but should be taken into account: the bells of the nearby duomo. They ring all the time: at 11:45 PM, they will ring 11 loud chimes + 3 small chimes. So it is better not to wake up in the middle of the night... or else it is very difficult to fall back asleep. In short, we are far from the luxury one can expect from a 4-star hotel.

Unbeatable location and friendly staff, but unacceptable maintenance for a 4-star** **Rating: ⭐⭐** "The Relais Ducale enjoys an extraordinary location, directly on Piazza Grande and a stone's throw from the elevators to the city. Although the historical charm is undeniable, in my opinion the structure has remained firm over time and needs a profound and urgent renovation. **Note of merit:** A praise goes to the friendliness and professionalism of **Barbara and Olga**, who with their kindness significantly enhance the guest experience. The **breakfast** was also good and normal, without particular praise but correct in service. **Complex logistics:** Reaching the room (202) was a real maze. Despite the number 202 the room is not on the second floor: you have to face two flights of stairs, take an old elevator to floor 0, go out onto a terrace and climb another flight of stairs. The route is devoid of clear directions, making the arrival unnecessarily complicated. **Room and facilities:**Definitely dated. The bed was a double but with **two single mattresses**, a solution that I find uncomfortable and not up to expectations. For the climate there is a floor model so old that I preferred not to turn it on, not inspiring confidence for noise and maintenance. In addition, in a hotel that boasts **4 stars**, the total absence of slippers in the room (even just paper) is a lack of attention to the guest. **The problem with the bathroom:** Here are the major inconveniences. **I write this review at 4am because it was impossible to sleep a wink:** the toilet box made a continuous, pounding sound of water filling, just like the noisy drip of an open cinnamon. In addition to this, the shower drain is clogged and does not receive well, resulting in water eventually flooding the bathroom floor. **Conclusion:** Some might argue that the price is low for the location, but in my opinion **the low cost does not justify these inconveniences at all**. Plant functionality, exhaust efficiency and night-time silence are minimum requirements that should never be missed. I would not recommend it until serious maintenance work is done.