Conte Biancamano - Torino, Italy     

While in Turin this October for Slowfood's Salone del Gusto, I stayed at the Conte Biancamano, on an upper floor of a lovely historic palazzo. It is a pity that my room was so horrible because the hotel itself had some great features. Upon check in I was lead to a room which was not only minute but had a bed to match and with a decor that reminded me of boarding school. I could not spend a second in there..I now understand how it must feel to suffer from claustrophobia. I asked the receptionist for an alternative and was lead to the only remaining vacant room in the place...larger, yes, but with a bed the same size and a tiny bathroom which required some manoeuvring to turn around in. Again absolutely no charm or character to the room which was also located on the main road, Corso Emmanuele with double door to the balcony that never shut properly hence very noisy. And that was that,....3 nights with virtually no sleep. The public rooms, the bar and breakfast room were actually rather charming in an ornate turn of the century way and the staff were friendly and as helpful as possible. They were even going to allow me to check my emails on the hotel computer but their internet connection was down. Breakfast was pretty decent too and served in the cozy little breakfast room. I poked my head into a couple of the double rooms on the quieter side of the building and they were actually much more spacious, some with antiques and more in keeping with the style of the building.