Gitavillage California

The pool felt overly restrictive for children, with rules against balls and floats, plus a swim cap requirement that wasn't posted. I've never encountered that at other pools, abroad or at home. We also had to pay extra for sheets and towels, which I didn't expect after paying for the room. During our four days and four nights at Gita Village, staff were often dismissive toward foreign guests. At check-in, one man was rude and derogatory to my family. I understand he didn't speak English, but that didn't excuse his behavior. The place is advertised internationally, so I expected paying guests to be treated equally. One staff member was lovely, though. We couldn't book a restaurant table by phone because the conversation was entirely in Italian, and reception couldn't help. When we arrived, there were plenty of free tables, but we were offered a spot in a tent outside the restaurant, alongside another foreign family. After a wonderful, much more welcoming hotel stay in Rome, I had really looked forward to Gita Village. This experience spoiled my holiday. Customer service needs attention.

The beach and location were enjoyable, and it seems like it could suit a family holiday. Still, our week there came with a string of problems that management could address. We struggled to communicate with some staff because their English wasn't fluent, and the pool rules felt so numerous that they got in the way of having fun. Towels cost €10 per person to replace, which was inconvenient when we showered twice daily. The shower temperature swung from scalding to freezing without warning. Thin walls let us hear noise from the adjoining room, as well as the children's shows playing loudly until midnight. We had hoped for more from the stay.

The beach, with its dark volcanic sand, is right beside the campsite, and there's a lovely pool too. Happy Camp's static caravans are modern and reasonably priced for a holiday now and then. The site is clean and pleasant, with motorhome parking under trees, plus a restaurant, bar, and small shop for essentials.

A calm spot, and the room was really nice. The kids had a great time in the pool. I'd recommend this campsite and would book again next year.