Hotel Giardino Degli Ulivi

We booked Hotel Giardino degli Ulivi at the last minute without checking reviews. Once we put it into Google Maps and saw those comments, including one that called it “squalor,” we got a bit nervous. No need. We had a lovely time. The hotel isn’t especially modern or fancy, but it’s tucked away at the edge of a medieval Italian village. The decor has charm, character, and some cool artwork. Our room was clean, quiet, functional, and had a vintage feel. The outside space is great, with communal balconies and amazing views across the whole bay. The man and woman who run the place were polite and welcoming. They sometimes smoke outside, but that’s Italy, and I smoke outside sometimes too. The person overseeing breakfast was very nice as well. Breakfast is fruit juice, bread, jams, a croissant, and coffee, a classic meal for this area. If you expect bacon, eggs, and hash browns, you’ll be disappointed, that’s just not the custom here. The WiFi is patchy, but who cares? I think a lot of the poor reviews come down to people’s expectations. Maybe they imagined an Instagram getaway, with a supermodel leading them onto a veranda and feeding them grapes at sunset. As my partner said, “If you want a 5-star experience, book a 5-star hotel.” With reasonable expectations, Hotel Giardino degli Ulivi is a delightful place to enjoy San Felice Circeo. We’d definitely return.

We found a room at the last minute while driving through and were blown away by the view, absolutely stunning. The rooms are basic but have everything you need. The staff were friendly, and shops and restaurants are very close.

The hotel’s garden is gorgeous, and breakfast is served there. It’s centrally located but quiet, with parking, and just a one-minute walk from the entrance to the historic center. The rooms are basic but well equipped, though ours didn’t have a hairdryer. The place seems stuck in the 1970s, but that gives it an incredible vintage charm.

A stay we’d rather forget. At reception, the owner was smoking with some old friends and told us to wait while we prepared our documents. We’d booked through Booking.com, but she kept getting our last name wrong. The place allows pets, though it was clear from her reaction that medium-sized dogs weren’t welcome. The room was dirty and run-down, despite the €244 asking price for two nights with breakfast. Dust had collected on everything, and there was dust and hair from previous guests under the bed. The bathroom was dirty and neglected, and the air filter was completely clogged. There was a TV, but it wasn’t even plugged in, and the cable was so short that we had to move the desk to turn it on. The air-conditioning remote was missing. It was August 17, 2021, nearly 38 degrees. When I asked about the remote, she said the air conditioning was broken but would be fixed by evening. We went for a walk to cool off and vent about the situation. It’s unthinkable to find a place this dirty during Covid and act as though nothing is wrong. When we got back, the remote had miraculously reappeared. We explained the problems to the owner, who first offered a thorough cleaning the next morning. Given how much they were charging for what they offered, we decided to check out early the next morning. The owner and her husband then started talking about cancellation penalties. I had to show her that Booking.com still allowed me to cancel for free and that there was no penalty. I paid for the night and hoped to leave as soon as possible. I strongly advise against staying at this dirty, poorly maintained and managed hotel. It feels stuck in the 1950s and can’t provide even basic services to tourists. I’m shocked. The only two positives are the location, near the center and the sea, and the man who handles breakfast, the only person there who tried to smile.