Residence Caffè Savona — Hotel in Alba

I rarely write reviews, but this stay was so far below the most basic standards of hospitality that I need to warn others.

We booked what the listing described as a clean, comfortable room with working air conditioning and basic amenities. What arrived was the opposite. The room shown online and the room we received were not the same. Photos and promises on the booking page created an expectation that was never met. The room was tired and run-down: dust on the walls, missing basic amenities, and general neglect that made it uncomfortable to stay in. This was not “cosy” — it was unmaintained. The air conditioning did not work, which made the room unbearable at night. Simple mechanical maintenance was clearly neglected. When we reported these issues to reception we were treated as if our concerns were a nuisance. Staff attitude was dismissive rather than helpful — no sincere apology, no effort to fix the AC, no offer of a replacement room, and no attempt to make us comfortable while the problem was addressed. One staff member even suggested we could “find other places to stay” instead of resolving the problem. Management did not offer a fair resolution — no meaningful compensation, no timely follow-up, and no written confirmation of refund or remediation. We were left out of pocket for services that were promised but not delivered.

This isn’t nitpicking. It’s basic hospitality: an accurate listing, a clean and functioning room, and staff who will help when things go wrong. None of those were delivered. The experience ruined our trip and felt like being sold an expectation that didn’t exist.

Final note to anyone considering this property: location and a pretty photo are not enough. If you value transparency, working facilities, and respectful staff, choose elsewhere. This business needs to either fix its standards or stop promising what it cannot deliver. Only the location had any redeeming quality. Avoid until management demonstrates they can actually...

First things first. The location is fantastic. It's exactly where you want to be in Alba. ||Second, it's certainly good value for your money. ||||Now...the negative. ||I understand air conditioning isn't "a thing" in Italy but when your city is experiencing higher than normal temps and you advertise air conditioning...you should have working AC. ||||When we arrived we were placed on the highest floor (floor 3) and walked into a room that was 26 degrees (79 in F.) Now if you're American like me, this may feel a bit high. Especially after walking in from a hot summer's day. ||When I went down to ask about why the AC wasn't working they said it was being switched to heating systems soon. ||I asked if they could lower it even 2 or 3 degrees or at the very least provide a fan to move some air around. There is no airflow. ||They told us they would fix it. That night we returned it was blowing hot air. Still at 26. ||It was a miserable night's sleep. ||The next day they tried to "fix it" again. Same results. Slept in 26.2 degrees all night. ||The third day a very helpful young man tried his best to refill the water to help the cool air, and success! The temp dropped to 24. Far from the 22 he promised but we were thrilled! ||Until...midnight. When the air shut off completely, never to return and thus concluded our 3rd miserable night sleeping at temps above 26 degrees. ||And when you're hot? You noticed the hard bed and paper thin pillows that much more. ||||It's a shame. The space is great, the kitchen is great, the bathroom is new and nice. ||The lack of people working in the building itself is tough and PLEASE don't advertise air conditioning if you refuse to have it work properly or even let guests have control over things. Bare minimum...give us a fan to move...

First things first. The location is fantastic. It's exactly where you want to be in Alba. Second, it's certainly good value for your money.

Now...the negative. I understand air conditioning isn't "a thing" in Italy but when your city is experiencing higher than normal temps and you advertise air conditioning...you should have working AC.

When we arrived we were placed on the highest floor (floor 3) and walked into a room that was 26 degrees (79 in F.) Now if you're American like me, this may feel a bit high. Especially after walking in from a hot summer's day. When I went down to ask about why the AC wasn't working they said it was being switched to heating systems soon. I asked if they could lower it even 2 or 3 degrees or at the very least provide a fan to move some air around. There is no airflow. They told us they would fix it. That night we returned it was blowing hot air. Still at 26. It was a miserable night's sleep. The next day they tried to "fix it" again. Same results. Slept in 26.2 degrees all night. The third day a very helpful young man tried his best to refill the water to help the cool air, and success! The temp dropped to 24. Far from the 22 he promised but we were thrilled! Until...midnight. When the air shut off completely, never to return and thus concluded our 3rd miserable night sleeping at temps above 26 degrees. And when you're hot? You noticed the hard bed and paper thin pillows that much more.

It's a shame. The space is great, the kitchen is great, the bathroom is new and nice. The lack of people working in the building itself is tough and PLEASE don't advertise air conditioning if you refuse to have it work properly or even let guests have control over things. Bare minimum...give us a fan to move...