I am currently a guest staying here at La Gancia Residence Hotel in Trapani, Sicily. I am here because of the recommendation from Rick Steves. There seems to be an issue with the lack of proper plumbing practice here. I have sewer gas coming up from my bathroom sink. There does not seem to be a proper trap as is mandatory at least in normal plumbing practices. At first I thought it was the water that smelled but upon further looking into it is the lack of a trap in the bathroom sink. The kitchen sink does have one. You just have to put your nose close to the bathroom sink drain and you know. The trap could be behind the wall but still there is an oder and I clearly hear the flushing from the drain
When a toilet is flushed on the floor above me I can hear the gurgling in the bathroom sink drain clear as day. And that is not good.
Yesterday I spoke to the front desk and he said it was because of heavy wind. Well, that is not true. Nothing done. This morning, at breakfast, I spoke with the hotel manager and I explained what I was experiencing and that he should look into. No response at days end here today from him. I showed him pictures and I told him maybe it's just a cleaning issue but my guess is it's more than that.
For those of you who don't know, sewer gas can cause many side effects and it's not good.
I keep my bathroom door closed at night. After for nights here I will depart tomorrow.
I will post if this issue is addressed before I leave tomorrow but just a heads up if you're thinking of staying here in the future.
Webmaster, if you're reading this you should inquire with hotel as Rick recommends this hotel in the Sicily book.
Chaio, Mark
Sorry for your disappointment, plumbing quality is highly variable the world over. I'd also suggest you send specific feedback to the guidebook department, they have a form for that: https://www.ricksteves.com/forms/guidebook-feedback-form