Residence Sud Est

The only thing I liked was the sea view. For what it offers, this apartment is definitely overpriced. There was no air conditioning, and the inside of the house got up to 36 degrees Celsius. The property gave us a fan, and luckily we’d brought one too, so we could put one in each room. My two-year-old daughter woke up one morning with a stiff neck because of it. The kitchen was a letdown as well, missing basics like a cutting board, scissors, and cups for breakfast. The stovetop was so wide that the small saucepan they provided wouldn’t even fit.

The hosts, Alberto, Stefania, and Chiara, were lovely and helpful, spoke excellent English, shared useful information, and responded quickly when we needed them. We’re grateful for such a great stay. Apartment No. 16 is at the top of the building, right by the parking area, surrounded by shady trees. It’s a two-story place entered from a terrace with chairs, a table, and a parasol. Downstairs there’s a kitchenette and dining table, a small anteroom with two single beds, a double bedroom, and a bathroom with a toilet, bidet, sink, and rain shower. Upstairs is another double bedroom with a fold-out bed, plus a second bathroom with a toilet, bidet, sink, and shower. Hot water was available throughout, and there are three air conditioning units for cooling or heating, though we didn’t need them since the temperature was just right. There’s plenty of storage in wardrobes and dressers. The kitchen is well stocked with dishes, cutlery, pans, a four-burner gas stove, and a large fridge with a separate freezer. Highly recommend this apartment in Porto Azzurro.

The staff at the residence were kind and supportive when we had a problem with our dog. They even suggested local vets. Sadly, I can’t say the same for the apartment. It was dirty, smelled of sewage and stale, musty air, and lacked basic supplies and comforts. We didn’t have a wooden spoon, bottle opener, or corkscrew. They brought us a coffee maker right away. The furniture was worn out, and the bedroom had a stained fabric chair that needed replacing. At night, traffic noise from the road below carries into the apartment. It’s the only road connecting Capoliveri with nearby Porto Azzurro. You can’t really go anywhere on foot. Even for coffee or ice cream in the nearest town, you have to drive, and in August you can spend half an hour in the car searching for parking without finding a spot. The one bright point was the sea view from the garden.

The bed was comfortable and the view really beautiful, but I wouldn’t rent this place again. It sits up a hill with a steep drive, and there aren’t beaches nearby, apart from a dog beach where I wouldn’t swim because the harbor water is dirty. Porto Azzurro’s center is lovely for an evening walk, but you have to drive there. We also had a day with no hot water, though it was fixed the next morning. There’s no air conditioning, which we failed to notice when booking, so that part is on us, but it gets very hot even by the sea. A week cost €1250.00, which felt overpriced. If all went well, I’d say it was worth €700. I’d look in Laconella, Cavo, or Marina di Campo instead if I wanted an easy beach holiday.