Sa Sini

The house itself is beautiful, whether for a summer day by the pool or a winter visit with the fireplace and barbecue. It was clean and tidy when we arrived, but the way the stay was handled was a real shame. The owner missed check-in, which struck us as odd, then showed up the next day and spoke to us in an unsuitable manner. Extra charges for electricity and the ecotax were not included in the booking, and we were told they had to be paid in cash, with no receipt and no option to use a card. The owner and his family also came onto the property repeatedly without warning, and we’d find their cars parked there without knowing they were around. Even though we were visiting in winter, the pool should have been clean, but it was dirty. The house is spectacular, but we were let down by the host’s treatment of us.

We booked the house in August, then canceled a few hours later after our questions went unanswered. We only wanted to leave two hours later than planned because of an organizational issue. He apparently wanted to secure the booking first, then tell us that wouldn’t be possible. That night, when we answered his call, he said he wouldn’t respond until he knew whether there were more reservations after ours. If he’d simply said that, we could have decided whether to stay or cancel. Instead, he hung up in a very unusual way. I respect his rules, but I don’t appreciate being laughed at. We also received a message mocking our profile picture and making homophobic comments. It doesn’t affect me personally, but it should be said. I’ve never left a review and don’t like going against anyone, but this is no way to treat a client. Sorry, but no.

Dogs are welcome, and the quiet place has a pool and works for six people. The superior room may not suit older guests because getting to it means climbing a very steep wooden staircase. There’s a full bathroom and a separate toilet with a shower, and both have hairdryers. Towels are provided, along with appliances including an electric filter coffee maker, oven, microwave, toaster, air conditioning, and a small dishwasher.

The three of us had a wonderful holiday and could explore the island easily from this central location. We stayed in the partly old house with a baby, and a cot and high chair were provided free of charge. The thick walls kept the inside cool, though we occasionally needed the electric heating at the end of May. The large covered outdoor space, with its dining and seating areas, stayed pleasantly cool in the midday heat. The secluded property sits among orange trees and has room for four adults and six children. There’s a pool about 4 x 15 meters and up to 2 meters deep, great for jumping into. We were welcomed with a basket of fresh oranges and lemons, sweeter and juicier than the fruit we get in Germany. The host was easy to reach and would sometimes tend the trees almost unnoticed. The kitchen could be a challenge with a full house: it had only a small dishwasher and an outdated cooktop, and the grill was really just useful for warming food.