We loved Marialaura’s place. Some reasons:
- the kitchen is well-stocked with necessities like coffee, filtered water from the sink, sugar, oil, salt, pots/pans, mugs, moka pots. We would eat lunch out most days, but would make simple breakfasts and dinners at the apartment, and it makes a big difference when you don’t also have to buy your own oil or coffee!
- we had our two young children with us: 5 and 3, and they wanted to share one of the twin beds together- they fit easily and were very cozy.
- One issue we had was the hot water went out- but Marialaura told us where the boiler was (on the balcony), and we were able to press the correct button ourselves to restart it, and we had our problem solved within minutes! Also note: the water pressure in the shower is great.
- The apartment was very conveniently close to the train station. From inside the train station, you just have to walk alongside platform 16, until you exit the train station, follow that road for a block and then turn left and go under the bridge and you are there! We took the train both to and from the apartment, and took a day trip out to Pisa, and it was really convenient to be so close to the train station- since that is when you will be most encumbered with your luggage, and have time constraints. To get to the sites at the city center, we would take the public buses, and those were always convenient and fairly short trips. For this reason, we found it better to stay near the train station, than closer to the city center, as it was also quieter.
- Though the apartment is on the 4th floor, there is a working elevator. This made the difference for us- as we had looked at similar places but that didn’t have elevators. We had our stroller with us which we would bring up and down in the elevator every day, and also 2 small children who didn’t always want to take the stairs. Also important for bringing our luggage up and down.
- Marialaura was easily reached by whatsapp. We arrived by train on Christmas Day, and she provided several good restaurant options for us that would be open that evening. She was willing to provide any help or suggestions that we needed.