Residence Marina di a Testa

The owners were great, and the place is so quiet and relaxing. We had a stunning mountain view from our apartment, and the pool was good. The apartment itself was a bit basic but fine, although the bed wasn't comfortable. I'd visit again.

The setting is pretty and peaceful, and the pool is lovely, but the accommodation had a strong musty smell every morning and was badly equipped. There wasn't even a basic supply of things: one toilet roll, no hand towels, dishcloth, sponge, dish soap, or toilet brush, and no bathroom shelves for toiletries. The fees on top are steep, €9 for a bath towel, €14 for a bed sheet, and €55 for cleaning. A coffee maker was listed, but the old Italian one there looked like it had been used for years and was filthy. Such a shame, because the grounds and pool had a lot of potential.

Momo the gardener has made the residence's wooded garden beautiful, and he was the only friendly person there. We rented a 36m² mini-villa, but the comfort was disastrous. The bedding and pillows felt disposable, the shower door was broken, and there weren't nearly enough cooking utensils for four people. We had to cook pasta for four using just two pots 🙄. Sheets and towels cost us a "modest" €80 for four, and we had to ask for four small towels because each person had only one medium-sized one (€8 per person). At least the pool was nice, and there are two beautiful beaches nearby. Still, we were disappointed with the service for what we paid for 10 days. The other reviews aren't negative, so I do wonder whether the larger villas have better amenities.

Mrs. Adriana and the gardener were exceptionally kind and helpful. We had a wonderful time in a place that was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed. A beautiful garden full of unique Mediterranean plants surrounds it, and the terrace with its barbecue was a lovely spot for evening dinners.