Bagaglino I Giardini di Porto Cervo

The recent reviews seem mostly accurate. The rooms were clean and had great views, and we didn't find problems with the bathrooms or anything else. Still, the place feels tired and dated. For a four-star property, breakfast really wasn't up to scratch. The only cereal for kids was boxed Kellog's cornflakes, and the selection felt more like something from a two-star place, if that. The espresso, though, was five-star.

The property feels badly worn, especially the common areas, which look rundown and uncared for. It could be a very good place with the right management. Staff were a mixed bag: some were helpful and lovely, while others gave conflicting answers and didn't seem willing to sort things out. Our room was clean and a good size, with pleasant views, and the location was good, though a car is needed. The beach and beach club were just okay, and there are better beaches nearby. The kitchen was missing many basics: no kettle at first, no toaster, no dishcloth or detergent, no wine glasses, and no coffee machine. Reception eventually provided a kettle and cleaning supplies, but getting the toaster was a lost cause. Housekeeping doesn't wash the dishes. Beach towels cost EUR 5, including exchanges, while bathroom towels were replaced daily even when we hung them up. I found that management hard to understand. Dinner at the restaurant was decent, but the choices were limited and it was worth visiting once at most. The beach bar food was awful. Our lasagna was reheated in a takeaway container and still cold in the middle. Don't bother.

The rooms need fresh paint and better lighting, even if the hotel wants to keep its original style. The furniture and mattresses were old, and the bathroom was so dim I half expected to see my grandma's ghost in there. There were dead mosquitoes on the walls and curtains, which looked as if they'd never been washed. The walls had stains, and the terrace doors didn't shut properly, so lots of insects got inside. The place is outdated and poorly maintained. The rooms were cleaned daily, and the cleaning staff did their part, but when I complained about the state of the rooms, the manager told me to take it up with housekeeping because they were Romanian like us. Room renovation isn't the cleaners' responsibility. Staff were rude if you dared to point out the problems.

We got sick and couldn't fly, so I contacted the property days before check-in. They said our dates could be changed, but after many attempts and a lot of wasted time, we couldn't get hold of anyone or arrange anything. They didn't answer emails and wouldn't change the booking over the phone. We lost all the money for our four nights. Booking tried hard to get the hotel to refund us or move the dates, but it went nowhere. The customer service was awful. If your plans might change or you could get sick, don't book here. An absolute nightmare.