Villa Cirimarco

A wonderful place to retreat, with amazing countryside, warm hospitality and lovely food.

Such a great view.

The pool area was a real highlight, with a breathtaking sea view and new showers and toilets right there, which was a thoughtful touch. In the evenings, the little pool bar serves delicious drinks and gives the place a relaxed holiday feel. Dinner was another standout: the owner cooked delicious dishes herself with ingredients from the villa's garden, and the atmosphere was welcoming and special. We spent some wonderful days at Villa Cirimarco and can generally recommend it, with some reservations. The location is idyllic, and the family room was a decent size and acceptably clean. The rooms could use more attention to detail and better furnishings, though. There was visible mold in the shower corners, so the bathroom needs better upkeep. Breakfast was basic, with cake and cookies, and a broader choice would have been welcome. Bring your own pool towels since room towels can't be used at the pool, though you can rent one for €1 per day. There's no hairdryer in the room, but you can get one at reception. The four dogs roaming freely around the property unfortunately marred our impression. One growled at us when we got back late in the evening, and our young son was bitten. That's unacceptable, especially with families staying there. The room door also felt unwelcoming, with lots of rules in several languages stuck to the inside. The villa has lots of potential and thoughtful touches, especially the food, view and pool. With improvements to the rooms and how the dogs are handled, five stars would be realistic. As it is, a solid four.

The views are breathtaking, and there's a swimming pool and tennis court too. Breakfast with five-star farm produce, delicious dinners with elegant dishes, and the hosts' warm, typical Calabrian hospitality made the stay special.