Casa Emma

It's a convenient spot just beyond central Marciana Marina, quiet but still near amenities like the supermarket, which are limited on the island. The three-room apartment was under €1,000 for the week of August 15th, a rare price for that size. The house and garden need better upkeep. The garden is neglected, with weeds taking over the barbecue area, and the bedrooms are dusty, fitted with makeshift beds and dressers. The kitchen has dishes and cookware, but no tablecloth, dish soap, laundry detergent, or toilet paper. The bathroom is tiny and tucked beneath the stairs.

The place was as advertised, surrounded by greenery and mostly quiet at night despite being close to the road. For the July/August season, the price seemed to match the location. Check-in had been requested before 4 PM, and I got the keys around 3, which was fine. The receptionist and housekeeper was courteous, thorough, and professional, and the apartment was clean when I arrived. What really wasn't okay was the lack of preparation for rubbish collection. I believe this was the owner's responsibility, but there were no bags ready for plastic, glass, paper, organic, and general waste. On holiday, having to send complaint emails and phone the agency to get it sorted is frustrating. The rest was fine: the barbecue was in good shape and ready to use, the washing machine worked, and we had what we needed to cook and set a table for four. Even on hot days, we slept well without fans or air conditioning, which aren't provided. Marciana Marina is about 2.5 km away, so it's a bit remote, and heading out for ice cream after dinner can take some effort. Have a good stay and happy holidays. Drive carefully by car or motorbike. The island roads are good, but tricky, especially at night.