Agriturismo Reggia Saracena

There’s plenty of room around the pool, with nice corners to sit and enjoy the evening, and the host is responsive. We were greeted with a welcome drink and offered dinner, but it was disappointing that the dishes and price weren’t explained beforehand. Dinner turned out to be many courses. The place itself is beautiful, though some of the furnishings feel dated. Tirib's room was very good, but had an unpleasant old smell. The children’s area is very outdated too.

It felt welcoming, with friendly staff, clean rooms and country-style furnishings. The food portions were generous, though it wasn’t fine dining. There are lots of spots set up for sun or shade, and plenty of activity areas for youngsters, so you could stay longer. It’s easy to get onto the road and there’s ample parking for touring. The pool looked inviting.

The place is on a busy road, with no shops, nature or anything else within walking distance. We were told on arrival in June that the whole property would be sprayed with anti-bug repellent during our stay, “before the season would start.” The owner offered three choices: stay the night after the treatment for free in the toxic stench, move to another place he arranged, or leave. We left. The first evening’s dinner was okay, but breakfast was minimal and the “gym” had broken, unusable equipment. Also be careful with the electricity, all the sockets are loose in the walls.

The photos don’t match what we found. The pool walls were green, the fitness equipment looked ready for the tip, and general upkeep and cleanliness were lacking. Flies were buzzing around the breakfast food. It was overpriced and didn’t deliver. The photo says it all.