This was a satisfactory place (see notes) for a very short stay in Bologna. I would not call it “quaint” but more “efficient”.
Positives: Great location, very easy check-in process. The window shutters do an amazing job of blocking out exterior noise…there were a lot of graduation parties going on and I was worried I’d get no sleep..but after I closed the shutters and windows I could hear very little and slept well. The kitchen amenities are just enough to make a simple meal but most importantly coffee! The little Kona coffee pot seems very new and worked well for me. WiFi was strong and reliable.
Room for Improvement:
Air Conditioning Not Working. When I arrived at the apartment it was warm so I tried to turn on the a/c. The unit is controlled by a remote that had a dim display. The a/c did not respond to the remote so I contacted the host who brought (at my suggestion) new batteries. After installing them the remote was bright but the unit did not respond and the “timer” light was blinking on the unit. I found the user manual on-line and learned that a blinking timer light indicates that there is a fault between the remote and the unit. Host advised me that “the remote worked as of yesterday.” (Issue was reported to AirB&B and a partial refund requested.)
Washing Machine Needs to Be Cleaned: I washed two loads of laundry in this machine and did an extra, no soap wash cycle to get a good rinse. When I removed the clothes they smelled strongly of soap so I did TWO more wash cycles, without soap, and they still smell like soap. In fact, during the last wash cycle, despite the fact I used no soap, there were a LOT of soap suds in the window. I have a unit like this at home and there is a specific cleaning cycle that should be done periodically, as well as a simply wipedown of the door seal, that should be done periodically. I do not recommend using this washer until the residual soap is removed.
Bottom Line: This is a good rental if you want a simple, zero-elegance, efficient place to stay in the middle of the action in Bologna. It’s just minutes walk from Piazza Maggiore and all the stuff around it. It’s about 15 minutes walk from the train station….all in all a great location. The unit is perfect for a solo traveller or a couple who don’t need anything fancy.