Affittacamere Monica — Hotel in Monterosso al Mare

I have intended to write this review for a long time and my son prompted me again yesterday as he still recalls it as the worst place we have ever stayed. It may have changed hands since though so just in case! It was an older lady that owned it when we stayed. I paid her cash for B&B for two night for one adult and two children. We were desperate as it was a Saturday when we arrived and we could not find any accommodation. We asked in a jewellery shop and the lady phoned Monica's and got us a room. It was one double bed for the three of us the first night and then we moved to her other room the following night which catered for 3. The arrangement was that as she did not do breakfast she said we could get breakfast at her friends shop which was a wine shop/cafe I paid her the agreed price to include this. On our second morning as we were about to leave to go get breakfast she appeared at our door and started to shout at me in a mix of Italian and English about the price she had been charged by her friend for our breakfast! She said we were not allowed to have milk, that it was very expensive and should have only had coffee and a croissant. No one told us this or discussed what we were or were not allowed to have. We had a bowl of cereal each and a coffee for me and milk for the kids. She literally threw a plastic bag at my feet and said there's your breakfast, the bag contained 3 cartons of juice (the really cheap stuff) and three tiny packs of plain biscuits. I told her this was unacceptable and I was going to phone the police. She said she was going to get her husband. I felt so intimidated. It's a tiny space at the top of a deadly flight of the steepest concrete stairs and I was by then feeling quite scared. My kids were seven and nine and the youngest was crying. I packed our bags and left, forfeiting whatever I...

This room was very difficult to find and if it wasn't for a older lady who had a cell phone we would never have found the place even after asking shop owners in the area where "Monica" was? A 20 minute walk from the train station. Location was just across from the Beetlejuice striped type church. Nonetheless since the room was right in the midst of the square the noise level was high late into the night ( restaurant right below us) and then the noisy garbage collectors appeared at 4 am. Steep stairs to the apartment. Room was small with one large firm bed. No AC just a ceiling fan which was very dusty I asked it it could be cleaned because of my allergies to dust which Silvana did.The WiFi connection was excellent. Bathroom is dated and moldy, toilet just in front of the wall so not very much room. Shower was small. Remember those toilet chains you pull from the ceiling to flush??? Useless fridge, more noise than efficiency.Silvana offered us beach towels so that we could sit on the...

This is a room only accommodation and therefore warrants its 3 stars. There are exceptionally steep stairs leading to a second floor where there are two rented out rooms. One at the back is smaller with a Juliet balcony with very little view as looks onto small internal area. One at the front is good size, comfortable bed, storage adequate and a Large window opening to the square and directly opposite the church (bells are not a problem and add to location). Room is clean and adequate. Bathroom is very very small. We were given a key on arrival and didn't see anyone until we left. Great location albeit nosey at the front but to be expected. Would use again. Monterossa was a great base for the...