Urban Cottage - Casa Vacanze Bari

The apartment's location is excellent, close to the beach, shops, and restaurants. The neighbors were friendly, and we had a working fridge, washing machine, and some kitchen utensils. The frying pan, though, was in such poor shape it was practically unusable. Our arrival was frustrating. Check-in was meant to be at 3:00 PM, but the apartment was still being cleaned, so with two small children we waited more than an hour and a half in heat above 30°C. We could only wait inside after sending several follow-up messages. Communication and professionalism were lacking. We dealt with the host only through WhatsApp and never met in person. There were ants everywhere, including on the table, in our food, and even in the beds. Without blackout curtains, the rooms heated up quickly in the daytime. The shower pressure was extremely weak, and the water stopped altogether if someone downstairs used the sink. The bedding and towels were clean, but the air conditioning remotes barely worked. Parking costs 1€/hour from 8:30 to 20:30, and free spaces are very hard to find. The location is great, but the apartment quality and service need serious improvement.

The best part is the location, about a 15-minute walk from the city center, with plenty of parking in the area if you're renting a car. For two people looking for somewhere basic and well placed, it's fine for a short stay. I wouldn't suggest it for four, because the sofa bed isn't comfortable. It's a simple, somewhat enclosed space with limited room and little natural light, so it feels dark. The bathroom is small, and the shower curtain doesn't close properly, leaving water on the floor. We noticed a strong musty smell when we arrived. There's a ceiling window in the room, but opening it sends dust straight onto the bed.

I really liked this property near the Bari waterfront and would definitely come back. Downstairs, the apartment has a living area with a kitchenette, dining space, and sitting room. The bedroom area and bathroom are upstairs.

It's okay for a day or two, but gets less comfortable the longer you stay. The property needs more investment in the kitchen equipment and bathroom renovation. The dirty linens were a nightmare, so I'd bring my own.