La Calabrisella

We won't be coming back. For 110 euros, two of us got a tiny, very uncomfortable room for one night, with torn sheets, no air conditioning, and no hairdryer. There were spiders by the windows; in the countryside I can understand that, but the rest was harder to accept. The bathroom window was stuck shut, and there was no shower tray, so water spread across the floor and we had to mop it up every time. The owner was already unhappy when we arrived and wanted us to pay through the post office, complaining about the fees. We put up with a lot, but at this price the owners really need to improve the facilities.

We spent a week here. The rooms were fine, and the manager was kind, but the place was poorly organized. Our towels were changed just once, breakfast was meager, and paying by card wasn't an option because we were told to wait for something. Since it wasn't exactly cheap, it needs to be run more professionally. With better organization this could be a really nice place, but I honestly wouldn't return.

We only stayed because this was the only place we could find free in the Soverato area, and I'd suggest looking elsewhere. Breakfast was poor and nowhere near adequate. For a farmhouse, I'd expect fresh orange juice or at least a decent brand, rather than discount-store juice. The family were unfriendly throughout. On the first morning they told me, without asking who I was, that we had to move rooms because we'd booked the one without ventilation for the next nights. They snapped that they weren't there for fun. Only after asking my name did they realize their mistake. They did apologize, but too late to undo the experience. When we left, nobody even thanked us or said goodbye.

We were given pillowcases instead of towels. Have you tried drying your face with a pillowcase? At breakfast, which was supposed to be generous, they didn't ask whether it was enough or if we wanted anything else. They offered bread to the table next to us, but not to us. The older man, who I later learned was the husband of the woman I booked with by phone, didn't greet us or smile, then kept to himself while we waited ten minutes for her. He also came up with excuses to stop us picking figs, even though they were falling off and rotting. When it came time to pay, I found out the agreed price was cash only: apparently, paying by card meant he had to invoice me. Really? Do my taxes not count? Card at the agreed price, or nothing. If they'd treated my son and me a little more considerately, I might even have paid cash.