Castellet

Just right.

The two stars are for the owner, who spent a lot of time showing us around, and for the villa’s size. The pool was okay. But we booked through Airbnb, and the place was very run-down compared with the listing description and photos. There was mold in the bathrooms and the beds were uncomfortable. We wouldn’t stay there again.

Think twice before booking this finca. The photos, videos, and reviews on the booking sites got me excited to spend time in the sun, so I booked it more than a year in advance for a special occasion and put a lot of effort into planning. From outside, the entrance looked inviting, with a big gate, a small roundabout and tree, and an olive grove beside it. That first impression didn’t last once we went inside. There were defects or damage throughout the property, some serious enough to risk injury, including protruding screws and nails. The first door was old, squeaky, and jammed. The bathrooms seemed about 30 years old, smelled that way, and couldn’t be cleaned properly. There were water stains and rust on exposed pipes, and the grout between the tiles was so dirty we had to wear flip-flops. In one bathroom the sewage smell was overwhelming, and the toilet seat was loose enough that you had to balance to avoid falling off. The beds had basic board slats and mattresses I wouldn’t even throw in the trash, they seemed like hazardous waste. The air conditioners were yellowed and blew foul-smelling air. They did cool the rooms, but some of us got sick. We couldn’t open the windows at night without cats coming in or the noise of countless dogs waking us. The cats got onto the property every night and tapped at every entrance and window. Outside, the back area had a broken grill, with a too-small grate propped up by stones. The worn, mismatched seats felt scratchy and uncomfortable. The pool looks great at first, with stepped levels for adults and kids, but some floor tiles were broken and had sharp edges, so you need flip-flops or shoes. When we raised it, the owner said teenagers had thrown rattan chairs into the pool, which made no sense to me. The pool table was filthy, and the balls kept getting stuck. Some of the broken indoor chairs felt dangerous too, like they could collapse when you sat down or stood up. We were a group of 11, but there were no cups, plates, cutlery, or cooking utensils. What was there seemed like the cheapest stuff and hadn’t been cleaned before I arrived. I’d be happy to post photos. I told the owner about the problems, but, as with the pool, she had an excuse for every one of the many issues. The gap between what was advertised and what we found felt practically like a scam.

The villa is impressive and feels really luxurious, but what made the week special was how warmly the hostess welcomed us. My family and I had a fantastic stay in this charming house, and we were so grateful for her kindness and hospitality. We had a wonderful time and will definitely come back. A perfect ten!