The only reason that I am giving a two-star a review to AltraVista B&B is because of Audrey, the lovely woman who cooked our breakfast and asked how we slept and was sure to learn our names. Audrey tried hard to make us feel at home, though after the series of events since we arrived, I don't believe anything could do that.
This place has enormous potential but - with the exception of Audrey's kindness - is an absolute joke. Would consider returning if they made some changes because the potential is huge, but the creepiness and awkwardness far outweighed any benefits.
We booked ahead online on a third-party website earlier that day. We wanted a nearby weekend getaway, and our hopes were high that we had found a bed & breakfast we could escape to semi-regularly. When we arrived, we were greeted by unkempt grounds and a very mysterious feel. There were no lights on and no signs to signify where to park or enter. We pulled around back and parked near what looked like a utility van and walked around to the front door.
Entering, we were surprised to see a mish-mash of 80's and 90's decor but still no lights and an odd smell (that we still can't put our finger on). We called out, "hello..." And a young man walked into the living area, seeming surprised to see us standing there, bags in hand. "Can I help you?" He asked. I chuckled and awkwardly told him we had reservations that we had made online and paid ahead for. He seemed annoyed, but not at us and excused himself. He then proceeded to have a rather loud conversation with a elderly voice that sounded like a mild argument. I guess they had meant to take the ad off of that particular website because they charge too much for bookings, but they would "deal with us." He came out from the hall a minute later and asked questions about the site we had booked through, how much we had paid, and when we had made the reservation. He then tried to explain that we had been undercharged because they had posted the wrong price online. He asked to see the card we had booked with and we gladly complied. I followed him back (because I was uncomfortable with him disappearing with my Credit Card) and he handed it to an elderly man behind a desk filled with papers. Without asking permission, the man swiped our card and I said, "excuse me, we already paid and our card was charged for the room." And they seemed very confused. Checking our account via a mobile app, we could already see the second charge had appeared on our account and the man told us that they had no way to reverse the charge.
Long story short, they had to write us a check - A CHECK - for the difference after charging us a second time since they said there was no way to change or void the charge.
I feel like going through the ordeal we experienced with our room would be wind blowing in the desert at this point, but to summarize... there was no hot water for the bath tub (the giant luxury tub they boasted of), the bed was frightfully uncomfortable, it smelled as through the room hadn't been aired in ages, the lights did not all work, and the balcony was covered with mildew to the point that it was green and slippery.
My husband and I kept asking each other in a joking manner if we were in a horror film and if this was how it felt right before you died.
To their credit, it seems they did not know we were coming so the room was totally not prepared. But... yeah. read more
