B&B Palazzo Malaspina

Booked three nights in the apartment but then added one night in the B&B as decided Piacenza was worth staying an extra night. This proved to be disastrous. On arrival told by owner that he would find it very inconvenient if not impossible for us to move from the room after one night into the apartment that was booked and paid for. Felt very insecure about arguing with him about this as concerned we could end up with no accommodation at all. Had booked apartment especially because it had character but also was a few minutes away from the market. This made up for it being a bit away from the centre. Spent ages trying to find decent nearby restaurants that were not booked up, which the apartment would have obviated. Room has no facilities whatsoever in terms of tea or coffee. It is dark and gloomy and in a warm September was very cold with no ability to heat it. Bathroom is spacious and well-presented, though shower is tiny and you inevitably end up knocking the control lever and getting boiled or frozen. Decor in room is very much shabby rather than chic and anachronistic for a 17th century palazzo. Never even saw the apartment so no idea what it was like. Had to be better. Booking,com did nothing to challenge his version of events - he claimed he had sent me an email - and even if he had, I never agreed to cancelling the apartment booking. You have to carry around a bunch of four keys. Three of them are for doors that were generally left wide open to anyone wandering in. The largest was for an old lock to the room that could have been opened very easily, so security minimal. Calls itself B&B but the breakfast is only included as a "gesture" by the owner. It is basic and minimal, nothing fresh only packets of crumbly toast and sachets of jam. No butter. Little cartons of juice and basics yoghourt. Best part was the coffee machine. After four days no sign of him for checkout. Never collected tourist tax so you are left wondering if he is below the radar. Very glad to get away. A shame because Piacenza itself is an overlooked gem.