La Bouganville

A lovely place to stay, with a garden, close to the beaches around Avola and Liso di Noto. Historic towns like Noto and Siracusa are nearby too.

We spent two weeks here in August, and the place was beautiful and intimate, with refined furnishings inside and out and every comfort we needed. The cleanliness was top-notch, and the linens even smelled like home. Priscilla and Pino made us feel at home from the start. They welcomed us so professionally and were there for us throughout the day. If you want a relaxing holiday where you feel looked after, Le Bouganville is just right. Thank you both so much for everything.

The houses were nicely furnished and fully equipped, though I felt they were a little isolated. Pino and Priscilla were kind when they welcomed us and gave us plenty of ideas for things to see. We arrived on June 28, 2023, and went to the beach that day. When we came back, the bathroom French window had been broken into and the house was ransacked. Our tablet and three pairs of designer shoes were gone. The owners came right away and offered us the loft for a few days, but after that we would have had to move because of other bookings. We were travelling with a couple of friends, and the only option was the loft, with an open-plan bedroom and two sun loungers. That wasn't the holiday we'd spent months looking forward to, with two adjoining but separate apartments so both couples could have privacy. I know things like this can happen anywhere. What upset us most was Mr. Pino's reaction when we said we no longer felt safe and were leaving. At first, after the break-in, he said he'd refund all our money. Later he took that back and said he would keep the €300 deposit. His change in tone and manner was deeply disappointing. He could have talked through the inconvenience and his costs for that day, like cleaning and electricity, and worked out a settlement with us. Instead, he had already decided to deduct the deposit from what we had paid, without consulting us, and seemed to imply he didn't even have to return the balance. There was also no request for our documents to register us or issue a receipt, which is normally done when you arrive at a property. More transparency would help, including from a legal standpoint, and avoid hassles. We had to find somewhere else, spend more money, and our holiday was ruined. Pino, who is a lawyer, let us off the hook by saying moral damages don't matter anyway. My advice is to make sure you are properly registered, and be careful about the area, which doesn't seem as safe as it looks.

The apartment was spotless, brand new, and tastefully furnished, with greenery all around it. We loved the fresh air and how relaxing it was there, and didn't want to leave. Cristina and Paolo are wonderful. They shared loads of tips about beaches, places to visit, restaurants, and more. Would I return? Right away! Highly recommended.