Getting over the road to Art and Books was a bit tricky but, with patience , drivers would give way. However it was very convenient to be hard by the railway station.

Fabrizia was a joy and she went over and above to ensure that everything was perfect for my stay. Her breakfasts were exceptional, everything freshly prepared and every day different and interesting items, and most importantly at least one, if not several specialties of Mantua. Also very good was her advice on places to see and there were plenty of informative brochures about Mantua, and that is without the huge library kept for guests alone. So many thoughtful extras made this a very special place to stay.

Stayed in July 2025

Unfortunately, the accomodation is on the first floor without a lift. But Fauzia kindly asked her son to bring my suitcase upstairs for me. So, this wasn't a problem for me at all.

I'm writing this review in English so that many people can read it (without translation). It's not really possible to write a review here without repeating (or copying & pasting? ;-)) what so many others have already written here. I'll try it anyway: The location is excellent, just next to the train station. The historical city centre and everything worth seeing of this beautiful town is in walking distance. The room was clean, beautifully furnished and decorated. There are really nice paintings and practical things like a minibar fridge, a kettle with accessories, and a jar full of goodies. The bathroom was nice and has everything you require. The room had a nice balcony facing a busy street, but with the windows closed you don't hear anything. Most pleasant about this B&B and my stay there is the hostess Fauzia. She makes you feel welcome from the first moment, prepared a delicious breakfast with a large variety of items such as home made cakes, prepared and seasoned vegetables, etc. Every morning, the breakfast was different, and she also catered for individual needs (as I'm a vegetarian). She also explained the recipies in great detail. You can't imagine a better host. She's a very warm character, very talkative, and makes you feel like you are a part of her family. You easily forget you're actually in a paid accommodation. For me, this was also very nice because the main reason of me travelling to Italy is to use and practice my Italian. I'm looking forward to my next trip to Mantova. Fauzia is reason enough to come back.

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing, everything was perfect.

I sincerely recommend the Art&Books bnb. Our stay there was perfect in every way. Very good location. Nice, very clean, well-equipped room. Very rich and delicious breakfasts prepared by the fantastic hostess Fauzia, who prepares different surprises every day. Fauzia is a wonderful, warm woman who treats her guests like family members and will help with anything she can. It's a pity that you can only give 10/10, because she deserves much more. By choosing Art&Books you are making the best choice. Fauzia is the best hostess you could ever dream of. I will probably come back to Mantova and definitely to this bnb.

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing really. The appearance of the outside of the building would benefit from improvement but that doesn’t detract from the standard of accommodation provided.

Fauzia is a warm and welcoming host who takes great care to look after her guests. The rooms are spacious, clean and well maintained. The breakfasts are generous and always varied, a nice touch. We very much enjoyed our stay here and can highly recommend it.

Stayed in May 2025

Very nice place to stay! The owner Fauzia is a very nice person, talkative, kind and helpful. And breakfast which she prepared was just amazing and more than you can usually expect in Italy - tea, coffee, juices, bread, ham, cheese, yogurt, jam, nutella, fruit... and lot of cakes, some of them home made and tasted amazing :)) After 2 nights we were leaving before 6am in the morning, and Fauzia even prepared a nice breakfast "to go" for us :)) Don't be alarmed with ugly old building and busy street with a train station there, rooms inside are very nice and you can't here any noice. Also city center is very close, up to 20 minutes by walk and it's soooo nice, you need to see Basilica di Sant'Andrea inside! We came to Mantova for Il Volo concert in Palazzo Te which was also 20 minutes by walk, so this place was really very convenient for us. Fully reccomended! Fauzia, thanks for everything, for a fantastic breakfast and for all your advices :))

Stayed in May 2025

comfortable room and excellent host. very good breakfast

Stayed in October 2024

N/a

It was excellent.Especially coffee beyond believe.

Stayed in September 2024

Cannot fault anything

Freshly cooked eggs and home-made cakes made the lovely b’fast even more pleasant

Stayed in July 2024

Spacious room and bathroom. Very quiet, .good breakfast. The owner was really nice and very helpful in practical ways and went out of her way to check on availability of tickets to the 2 big sites in Mantua as it was at the time of a national holiday.

Stayed in April 2024

This is the best place I have ever stayed in. Everything was perfect - the location, the room, the breakfast. Fauzia is a wonderful host who really makes you feel at home! Absolutely recommended, I even had the chance to taste some local specialties during breakfast which I otherwise would not have known about.

Stayed in October 2023

The shower was spacious and comfortable, with a smart little shelf for keeping soap and shampoo. Just be aware that the drain doesn't work very well, water accumulates on the floor, so on my first shower I ended up flooding the floor. Once aware of this, it's easy to regulate so you can avoid this problem. The water pressure is good, and water temperature stable, so you can have a nice shower if you just watch out for the water level on the floor.

This is an excellent place to stay in Mantova. The hostess Fauza makes you feel welcome and at home, with her special treats for breakfast and warm manner. The location is excellent for arriving and departing by train. Of course, the road outside is probably the one with the most traffic in town, but close the windows and shutters and you hardly hear anything. This can make it a bit stuffy at night, especially if you are more than one person in the room. For me it worked out fine, the bed is very comfortable and I slept well. It's an easy walk to the centre of town and places of interest. Extremely good value for money.

Stayed in October 2023

Couldn't have improved it at all.

Excellent breakfast and a very kind host. I am sorry that I could not have stayed longer. People who I knew staying at local hotels did not get this level of service. Great location close to the railway station, and five minute's walk from the town centre.

Stayed in September 2023

Incredible location only meters from station and a nice 20 min walk to Sordello piazza. Despite being next to busy road and railway line the back room is very quiet. Netflix and toweling dressing gowns! The cleaness is near surgical. Fausia is one of the best hosts I have had, incredibly considerate.

Stayed in September 2023

The property is only a few steps from the train station and while it’s on a busy road, once inside that’s not really noticeable. What makes Art&Books so special are the owners Fauzia and Mimmo! They are very proud of Mantua and fantastic ambassadors for their city. The hospitality is second to none! As a female solo traveller, I felt very well looked after. From an extensive breakfast which each morning included a couple of (often homemade) local delicacies, to excellent advice for sightseeing, They even offered to pick me up in the car during an unexpected downpour! Definitely recommend Art&Books to anybody visiting Mantua!

Stayed in August 2023

The B&B is not in the middle of the city centre, but it's not a very big city so getting to the centre was very quick and did not bother me.

Amazing hostess, very kind and accommodating. We spoke in italian and she told me a lot of useful information and was very helpful in every way. The room was big and tidy and had all that one would need. The breakfast was abundant, even by Italian standards.

Stayed in September 2023

Nothing.. we loved it

Clean and nicely decorated. Lots of thoughtful details and Fauzia was a wonderful host. Amazing breakfast

Stayed in September 2023

We loved the property - there was nothing that disappointed us.

Art and Books was very comfortable, clean and quiet as well as close to the train station and the most important tourist visiting spots. Hostess Fauzia was superb - she gave us lots of local information and tips on what to do, what see and where to eat including our best meal since arriving in Italy 2 weeks ago! The room was very clean and very quiet. Breakfast was the best we have had in 2 weeks in Italy and included extra things prepared by Fauzia reflecting local cuisine. This is a very, very good B&B.

Stayed in August 2023

We did not mind, but the rooms are on the first floor with no elevator, which might be inconvenient for some.

Like many said before, the place is perfect, and Fauzia is the most welcoming and caring host you could wish for! The room is large, well equipped and sparkling clean. The beds were incredibly comfortable (the best we had in our 2 weeks trip!). The air conditioning was a plus during the heat wave. Breakfast was awesome with home made typical pastries and local products. The building is right outside the center, very reachable walking.

Stayed in August 2023

Very good hospitality

Stayed in August 2023

Leaving, I wish I could have stayed longer.

Simply one of the best the B&B, Great location literally just 30 seconds walk from the train station and about 10 minutes to the amazingly beautiful centre of Mantova. The room is modern, and very clean. Quiet on at night so easy to sleep, good a/c. The bathroom was spotless. Breakfast was delious and too plentiful for me. Though want really makes place special is the host Fauzia, incredibly friendly and will go above and beyond to help, with great information, helping with restaurants reservations, finding out the bus timetable etc. To having iron available to use. Can't wait to stay here again.

Stayed in July 2023

Nothing! We loved staying here.

Fauzia is simply an amazing hostess - friendly, accommodating, always willing to go the extra mile.

Stayed in July 2023

Nice place, close to the city at a good price level.

Stayed in July 2023

Fauzia was excellent host and her apartment was very clean with comfortable bed. Breakfast was wide range with home touch. Thanks a lot.

Stayed in July 2023

Fauzia is a wonderful host, she is very kind and helpful. Not just the wonderful breakfast, which has a nice variety of foods and drinks for anyone and a daily surprise of local, homemade foods, but her passion and very emphatic attitude made our stay very pleasant. When there was no information about a sight or the schedule of transportation, she made calls, and guided us what to do. She is very flexible and caring. There is a sign in the kitchen: the secret ingredient is love (or something similar) which is absolutely true. If you want a nice local experience, I strongly suggest you to choose this place to stay.

Stayed in July 2023