Villaggio Le Venelle

I’m not sure, but it looks nice and relaxed. It’s near my Italian friend’s home.

Le Venelle is a basic place for people who know they’ve paid little and aren’t expecting the best. Prices like these are hard to find even at campsites on the island, which has become almost inaccessible. We were a group of 16 in four apartments. Everything was fairly new, though a few things were broken here and there. There are two barbecue grills, free firewood, and outdoor tables, and the place is surrounded by greenery in the countryside. The real problem was the very uncomfortable sofa beds. It’s a good fit for groups of friends or families with modest expectations who want to enjoy the island without spending a fortune. Those who complain about the value want to have their cake and eat it, as they say in Tuscany.

I’m leaving this negative review because I can’t let this level of neglect pass. Four of us stayed for 10 days at the holiday home Le Venelle in Rio Marina on Elba Island. On arrival, there was hair and part of a razor cap in the shower. The place should have been cleaned before we arrived, but the next day we had to buy all the cleaning products ourselves. The property is poorly maintained, and we never sat outside because resin got on our clothes and ruined two items. After two days, there were ants on the kitchen counter. We were told there was a communal washing machine, with only one of three working. The thought of washing clothes there made us feel sick. The sheets and towels had obvious dirt stains, even though they’d supposedly just been cleaned. We found out they wash the linens in that shared machine, which didn’t seem sanitized or sterilized. When we reported everything, they got angry. Only after we threatened to call the USL did they take 100 euros off our cleaning fee. I absolutely don’t recommend it.

Giorgia was so kind and helpful, and always around when we needed her. The apartment was clean and comfortable, with a lovely kitchen. It sits in a peaceful green spot a few kilometers from Rio Marina, with a bar and supermarket conveniently nearby. We had a wonderful stay and would happily do it again.