Al Mare in Città

I booked this for my sister-in-law and other relatives visiting from Rome for my daughter's baptism, and it was a complete letdown. The place was poorly maintained and very dirty, with a moldy smell. They even found three cockroaches in one room. In summer the air conditioning just isn't enough: the beds on the mezzanine get no air from it, and it gets extremely hot. The owner said the rooms were cleaned after we complained, but hardly anything changed. Maintenance is lacking. I absolutely wouldn't recommend it.

When I have more than two guests at home, I stay here because it's only a few meters from my house. Everyone has been very happy with the clean, spacious, well-furnished rooms and with how courteous the owner and staff are. San Giovanni li Cuti, the fishing village with its picturesque beach, is a five-minute walk away. There are also a tobacconist, greengrocer, pharmacy, bar, restaurant and bakery within 20 meters.

The owner was really nice, involved, and always available. The rooms, though, are old and need a thorough clean. They're cramped enough to feel airless. It's about a 30-minute walk to the central bus station and 45 minutes to the city center. One room has a partial sea view.

I was there for work. The room was very spacious, but the property needs more care. Cleanliness was my main complaint, and management accepted what I told them. I don't think I'll come back to see whether things improve.