Villaggio Lido

The apartment was unbearably hot without air conditioning, and opening the windows wasn’t really an option. There’s a serious theft risk, so guests are strongly advised to keep the windows and shutters shut, but then hundreds of mosquitoes can get in. Every room smelled awful. The beds were ancient and the mattresses unusable. Their protectors had yellowish stains and discharge, as shown in the photos. There were four of us in a place advertised as having two bedrooms and four beds. There wasn’t a proper bedroom, just a storage room of about 4 square meters with two bed frames crammed inside. The whole property felt moldy, dirty, neglected, and the staff were unfriendly. The caretaker handles room inspections, maintenance, the garden, and apartment checks. I don’t understand the reviews calling him friendly. He was only nice to guests who gave him a can of beer, and pool rules seemed to be enforced according to personal preference. He fit right in with the neglected surroundings. Communication was difficult because he doesn’t speak German and knows only limited English. Pool hours are 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, then 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm, so swimming early or late isn’t possible. Relaxing there was out of the question with constant jumping from the edge and wild ball games, and the caretaker didn’t enforce the rules. This place is for people with absolutely no expectations. Everyone else should stay away.

The apartment has everything you need, nothing luxurious but perfectly adequate, and the air conditioning was fantastic on hot days and nights. It was very clean, and the staff were friendly, helpful, and easy to communicate with. The price felt fair, including the relaxed, friendly Italian hospitality. The complex suits couples without children, solo travelers, or small groups, though there isn’t much for kids. Getting settled is a bit of a process. After finding parking in Jesolo, you need to go to the Bel Mondo travel agency during its regular business hours to pay the tourist tax. Check-in is then at Cavallino Villaggio Lido, 8.3 km away. The pool is very well maintained, though a bit heavy on the chlorine. It closes from 12:30 to 3:30 pm, so you’ll need to head to the beach. If it isn’t crowded, that’s a five-minute walk, and if you’re lucky, there’ll be a sun lounger and parasol waiting. If you drive, get a ticket in the blue parking areas or you could be fined €30 or €42. Wi-Fi signal strength is good, but reception is poor, with no signal in the rooms. A WIND prepaid 30-day SIM with 20GB of full-speed LTE data for around €20 would fix that. Tables grouped at the pool could make the place feel more like a village and help guests meet nice neighbors. The pool area closes at 7:30 pm, so after that socializing means going to a restaurant or bar. Thanks for the collaboration. Corona hardly plays a role here, and it’s easy to unwind. Just keep some distance and wear the required mask while shopping. A scarf or bandana will do.

The pool is clean and well looked after, and the location is quiet. The accommodations are roomy and comfortable, though a bit dated. The sea is about a 7-8 minute walk away.

It’s an older complex, but clean and equipped with what you need. Staff are friendly and resourceful about communicating if you don’t speak Italian. Wi-Fi is available, with shops and good restaurants close by. Punta Sabbioni is an easy trip too, and you can take day trips to Venice from there.