I can't remember that anyone on the board has stayed there. But I can assure you it's as well-placed as the Fortuna and if you want the flexibility of having a little "kitchen corner" to make some easy meals then I say go for it.
That said, the Fortuna is a tried and tested favourite hotel of Perugia. We know so many people not only from this board but from our private lives too who have had a great experience there. You'll have to let us know how you go with the Baldesca.
I also do not know anything about them. The apartments look tiny but well appointed and the location is good.
The prices are a little too low though. Most likely they are new and they try to get into the market by offering a good deal but there could be hidden prices like heating, electricity, hire of sheets and towels, ect. It's good to ask for a final price and terms of payment.
If it was just a little bit of money I wouldn't think about it but we can save over 200 Euro over the hotel. then, I have to figure in breakfast (not a very big expense for us) which comes with the hotel room and parking.
Jwilock, I for one would really appreciate your comments on the Baldesca -- it does look nice but the rates are so low, I've also wondered what might be going on (likely, as Letizia says, they're still becoming established.)
I'm returning to Perugia in September, and returning to the Hotel Fortuna (although the double room for single use rate is less than 100 euros)
I had excellent luck with the Fortuna last year, but if there was a good apartment option, I'd be very tempted.
You make a good point about checking breakfast and parking costs.
If you are at the Baldesca you will have to pay for car parking overnight and during the day. There is a Tourist Pass available which costs around 8 euro per day (I think) available at any one of the several car parks around the city. Casual parking costs more. The nearest parking station to Via delle Cantine is the Sant'Antonio car park about a kilometre (or a bit less) from the apartment down the hill. Other costs to the Baldesca (looking at the info available) are a 7 euro p.p linen costs, 20 euro final cleaning, and, of course, your breakfasts (make your own or go to a nearby bar)
I presume, from looking at their website, that a buffet breakfast is included at the Fortuna. Is parking included and how far away is it from the hotel? The Fortuna is in a fantastic position and has received excellent write ups.
Weigh up your costs and convenience factor and then make your decision.
Good luck! And enjoy Perugia. Don't forget to go for a ride on the new, exciting Mini Metro!!
I'm excited about Perugia, too. We went there for about a half day in 2005 and I have always wanted to return.
Hotel Fortuna says something about free parking on their site but also says the have a "deal" witha nearby garage.
I think I will also ask Baldesca haw large/small their place is. I do love staying in hotels where they clean up after you each day, and all the other amenites, but I am determined to bring this trip in under budget and this move would really help. Not only would the actual lodging be less, but we could have lunch or dinner in the apartment--not have to eat out 2 meals a day.
I think that comparing a hotel with this rental is like the apples/oranges thing. Hotel changers your sheets free, this place will for euro7. Hotel likely provides internet, this place will for euro 24 a month. This is the slow travel type accommodation, and therefore will cost less than the hotel. It looks very nice to me. I have never had FREE parking in any Italian CITY hotel. Cheaper than open market, maybe, but not free. Perugia has some areas outside the walls where there is legal free parking, but you have to get lucky to find it, to get a spot and you may have to walk quite a distance to the apartment or hotel. Actually, if I were staying inside the walls and had a car, I'd use the free parking at Stazione Ponte San Giovanni and take the train to the next stop, Santa Anna. Getting into and out of the old city is a pain to me and I live here.
There's a little more than just clean sheets. We've stayed in hotels and in a couple of agriturismos in the past. The feeling is quite different. In one we feel definitely like a traveller, rather than like we are actually settling in and living there for a while, even if only briefly. Just having a coach to sit and enjoy reading, or a kitchen to fix a snack provides a different feel to a trip.
However, Perugia will be the first time we have stayed in accomodations like that in a city, rather than in the countryside. We're looking forward to finding "our" local shop to have a coffee, or a gelato on a hot day. I think we're prepared to put up with some inconveniences if necessary to have the more laid back "really living there for a while" experience.
Posts: 55 | Location: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 04 November 2007
Jwilock, you'll definitely be able to do those things from the Residenza Baldesca. It's right in the middle of things, very centrally located.
Some tips: for gelato, go down Via U. Rocchi to the Università per Stranieri. To the right on Via Pinturicchio, you'll see a gelateria called Antica Perusia. Try every flavor. It's incredible. My friends tell me the owner was the chief flavorist (is that a word?) for Perugina. As for bars (caffes), the Caffè Grifo is pretty good, as is the new Caffè del Banco right on the Corso.
The Coop on Piazza Matteotti has good groceries, but no meat. There's a terrific butcher on Via dei Priori, and a good gourmet shop too.
Have fun exploring. We'll be there in July, too--we have an apartment in town. Umbria Jazz hits Perugia in mid-July; the city becomes a big party. And REM closes the festival!
Buon divertimento!
New York/Perugia
Posts: 5 | Location: New York and Perugia, Italia | Registered: 21 April 2008
Here's another vote for the Antica Perusia Gelateria. All the different flavours are winners!
We like the Caffe di Perugia in Via Mazzini which runs between Corso Vannucci and Via Baglioni. The ambience is warm, the coffee excellent, you can enjoy their restaurant as well as the caffe - and the restoration is spectacular.
If you use Claire's and my Perugia notes please be aware that Bruno, our wonderful porchetta man at the covered market, has now retired. Unfortunately, the porchetta stall is now closed. The market has suffered badly from the influx of supermarkets in and around Perugia. Few food outlets and vegie stalls are now open and there are certainly no longer live eels available (although there is still a very good fish shop there) Price of progress, I guess, but neverthless sad to see a once vibrant part of Perugia no longer full of life and colour.
The supermarket that most inner city dwellers tend to go to these days is the Coop supermarket at the railway station which is much larger and better stocked (and cheaper?) than the ones mentioned by Nuccio. Catch the Mini-metro or the bus down to the station and it is diagonally across the road.
The mini metro is the new light rail system which was opened to the public in January. It is well worth a ride!
I am loving all these great suggestions and info. Thanks.
We haven't made up our minds yet about the apt. or hotel. The photos they sent me of the mini apt. make it look VERY mini. Looks like the cooking corner is one of those cabinet things and it's right next to the bed. Also, I didn't see a couch anywhere.
Hotel Fortuna has a roof garden where we could take a picnic meal (and that's what we tend to do--not really cooking) which would be great for us.
My husband says just splurge on the Hotel so we probably will...
Jan, when I stayed at the Hotel Fortuna this time last year, for a week, I had a fabulous room with a private deck on the fifth floor. I ate several picnics up there, I loved it! (There are two rooms on the fifth floor, as well as the lovely, large public deck)
I think several of their rooms have private balconeys, perhaps if you pester them now for one, you could get it. I was kind of amazed that a lone traveler, paying only for a double room for single use got such great accomodations. So it's worth asking in advance. (I'm already beginning to pester them now for a balconey for September!)
Have a wonderful time in Perugia, I can't wait to return,
