A couple of long since dead rose flowers sitting forlornly in a brown stained plastic jar symbolizes my experience of this depressing apartment. No real attempt has been made to make it a pleasant place to stay. It’s simply one room about 3 m x 3 m with a bathroom and toilet and separate tiny shower which rather inexplicably has some gaudy multicolored plastic strips hanging in front of it. There’s scuff marks on the walls, chipped paint, poorly grouted tiles - the overall appearance is simply a tatty apartment.

The fridge wasn’t properly cleaned for my arrival (despite the cleaning fee charged). Two air fresheners are presumably meant to mask the musty smell from both the bathroom and shower. The moulding around the door in the bathroom had been ripped off and not replaced leaving the wood frame exposed.

The bedding was old and tired, unlike the attractive looking bedding shown in the listing and whilst one would assume it had been properly washed, the sheets were so creased and crumpled, it was hard to tell. A lime green patterned lower sheet above a bright orange valance and then a dark brown duvet cover on top gives some idea of the thought that has been given to making this place look nice.

Want to unpack? You’ve got one clothes hanger on a metal frame and a chest of drawers which contains mainly kitchen mats, about 50 tea light candles (why?) and other mysterious stuff like a hammer and broken wood hangers. Want to read a book in bed? Sorry, no bed light.

A big feature is made of the nearby dining establishments but you really wouldn’t want to spend time in the apartment trying to prepare meals anyway. There’s no microwave, and the assortment of crockery is dismal. One small rice bowl, one large mug, one beer glass, one wineglass, one knife but two forks, five spoons, two large plates, 4 espresso cups, gives you some idea of how much attention has been given to outfitting this apartment. Not even enough cups and glasses for 2 people. But the two electric hotplates work very well, although there’s really no room for food preparation – and I wouldn’t use the tatty plastic chopping board anyway. And no plug for the sink.

The best thing I can say is that the Internet works, the water pressure is good and there seems to be an air conditioner. Otherwise I suggest spending as much time outside the apartment as possible.

As an Airbnb user for over 5 years, this property would unfortunately be the most dismal and depressing place I have stayed at in any country and the only time where I have cut short a stay and booked into a hotel to avoid ruining my experience of being in Italy.