Piumaviola

Pros: -very clean -easy to check in and out, all done via messages/email and with electronic codes -you only see staff during breakfast, and they are super friendly and attentive -breakfast is great! Plenty of choices, delicious coffee, a very nice breakfast room shared with other guests, etc. -it was super to be able to control the temp in the room, as many times it is set too cold or too hot, great shower, bidet, towel warmer, very good WiFi. -secure parking -walking distance (maybe 15') from everything to see in Parma. Cons: -As mentioned by other guests, the area where the hotel is located is a bit sketchy, and the only access to the hotel is through the parking lot, which is located in the alley. The area is the train station neighborhood, and, like in any other city, not the best to walk around, especially at night. Parma has a reputation for being very safe, but still, we felt a tad uneasy walking back to the hotel after dinner. Having said that, many stores were open late, all sorts of people were walking around, and the restaurant next door (in the alley) was packed with customers, so that made us more comfortable. Also, right around the corner to both sides, there are much fancier/bigger hotels, so I guess it is not an unusual area of town; it is just different from the rest.

Great place but noisy from room above late at night.

The hosts were wonderful, and breakfast was plentiful, varied and excellent quality. The room was a very good size, and was the bathroom. Highly recommended.

We stayed for three nights in the Maria Luigiana room/suite. It was very spacious, very clean and beautifully decorated. There was a large bathroom with both a shower (with excellent water pressure) and a big bathtub/whirlpool. The bed was comfortable, and there were two pillows of different heights to choose from. The cosy common room (where we had breakfast) was just outside our room (but the door is very sound-proof, so it did not wake us). The breakfast was simple, but tasty. With fresh fruit, tomatoes, juices, boiled eggs, hams and cheeses. There is also a water machine in the common room which has both still and sparkling water which we could use at any time to have a glass of water or fill our bottles. The refrigerator in the common room also had an assortment of beverages (including soda, beer and wine) which we could help ourselves to at any time for a low price (3 euros for a small bottle of beer). The highlights of our stay was: the free water dispenser, the large room, the friendly staff/owners, the excellent AC system, the electronic pin code system to access the room and the building and the cute old dog in the common room. Suggestions for improvement: double window curtains in the bedroom (it was a little too bright in the morning), gluten free bread (not just crackers and sweets). And we should also mention that even though the building (with two gates) felt very safe, the surrounding area is a little shabby and was a little far from the city center.