Villa Palme

My trip to Villa Palme had to be cancelled because my partner needed emergency surgery. Both the booking customer service team and I contacted the property to ask whether the 50% cancellation fee could be waived given the circumstances. After 72 hours without a reply to either of us, I cancelled the whole reservation because the owner hadn't bothered to respond. I also run more than one property as a booking partner, so I know it takes time to manage them, but communicating with my guests has always been my priority. I wouldn't have booked this place if there had been another option, as the reviews weren't great, but it was the only one that accepted dogs and I had one. Given the unprofessional attitude of the owner or whoever manages the property, I won't consider staying at a later date. They need to work harder to raise their standards, or the place may close soon.

The views were five-star, and the owners were friendly, but this villa badly needs updating. The pool wasn't clean, and all the sun loungers and other items were broken and needed replacing. Our top-floor apartment was spacious with stunning views, but all the furniture needs to be replaced. Two door and window handles were broken, so we couldn't open one balcony door or a window. There was also an awful smell in the bathroom. We asked whether there were many mosquitoes and were told no, but that wasn't true. We all got terribly bitten on the first night, so bring lots of mosquito repellent.

The pool was a letdown from the first day. There was moss all over the walls and dead bugs floating in the water. When I asked the owner, he blamed the rain the day before, even though I had booked specifically to use the pool. Inside, the lodge looked barely changed since it was built. The bathroom shower was moldy and broken, and the sink was clogged. When I asked the owner to fix it on day two, he insisted our children, aged 11 and 8, must have blocked it with a tissue. The bathroom drained so poorly that I had to mop up the floor with a towel; when I asked for extra towels, I was told they provide one hotel towel each day. The room was nothing like the pictures. Everything seemed more than 20 years old and poorly maintained: broken window blinds, kitchen walls with paint worn away, and old, dirty beds. The bedding was so filthy we couldn't use it, and staying there for two days was difficult. The building is on a hill, so a car is needed to get there. The most unbelievable part was settling the bill. The owner was supposed to give me a receipt for the first 200 euros of the accommodation cost, but insisted, "No way, you can't do that again." I eventually admitted my mistake and got the money back in cash. It may have been a mistake, but I couldn't believe how stubbornly he doubled down on it. If you pay by card, check the exchange rate and make sure the amount is correct so you don't get cheated. It's an old house run by an elderly couple, and a lot of nonsense goes on. I wouldn't want to go through it again. If you stay here after reading this, you'll understand what I experienced.

Restaurants, the beach, and the boardwalks are all within walking distance, and the views are beautiful.