Villa Tokara

The owners were so kind and patient with all our questions, always checking that we were comfortable. We couldn't have asked for more from them. We stayed at Villa Tokara for a few days and loved the character and whimsical feel of the place. The lobby is colorful, and the rooms have charm. Our room was off the main floor and had lots of space, a roomy shower, double sink, plenty of towels, a comfortable bed, and heaps of storage. There was also a coffee machine, plus a safe and an iron and ironing board available on request. We really liked the grounds for unwinding. I'd sit in the morning on the patio chairs with coffee and keep Guordo, the resident cat, company. After a full day, a dip in the pool was a perfect way to end the evening. The pool and garden were relaxing, and the owners clearly cared about us having a good stay. The location in Pietermaai was handy. We got beach access with the Avila day beach pass next door, and Downtown was a 15-minute walk away. There were loads of great restaurants and cafes nearby, and we felt very safe walking around. We had a relaxing, lovely stay and will definitely come back next time we're on the island.

The place was clean, quiet and relaxing, with friendly staff, good service, and a good breakfast. My only complaint is that there isn't a TV in the rooms, so you have to rely on your phone while you're there. One other suggestion: the safe isn't attached to anything, so someone could carry it off with one hand. I guess it isn't needed, though, since the place feels secure. Otherwise, a great place to stay.

We ended up changing hotels because the property wasn't ready for guests. The room was extremely dark, since we had to keep the plantain shutters closed to avoid being in full view of the construction workers. There was broken glass behind some of the shutters, and work was going on in many rooms, which made the place feel deserted. We hadn't been told about any of this before arrival. The family suite photos showed a sitting area, but we discovered it was actually the lobby just outside our bedroom. The second bedroom had shell chandeliers that clattered like wind chimes whenever the fan was on. The pest problem was also awful. At check-in, they told us they knew there was a mosquito issue and offered bug spray. In the first 15 minutes, with the doors and windows shut, my daughter got more than 10 bites. The listing photos weren't current either. Our room had no desk or TV as shown, and there were no blinds, only plantain shutters. The person who checked us in represented the “employer/owner of the property” well and was as helpful as she could be, but she couldn't fix the problems, especially the pests. Maybe this could be a good stay someday, but it wasn't ready when we arrived. We didn't stay, and the hotel is refusing to refund our booking.

We loved the balcony, the pool, and the excellent restaurants nearby. Villa Tokara is a lovely place to stay, with spacious, nicely decorated rooms and such welcoming, kind hosts. I'd definitely recommend it.