Residence Stella Marina

The location is ideal if you want peace and quiet away from the busy center, while still being able to get to town or the beach in 10-20 minutes. There are plenty of places to eat, and the bus stop is just five minutes around the corner. I’ve stayed here twice in a row, for five days last year and a week this year. Reception is really hard to reach. You can go during the posted opening hours and find the office shut, and when it is open, it’s only for a short time, so you keep missing them. They also struggle to understand English. The apartments feel very old and gloomy. They’re dark unless you get a sun-facing villa, and they don’t provide anything. There are no sheets or towels unless you pay €20 each for a pack, no laundry supplies or even a sponge and washing-up liquid, and air conditioning costs extra. The pillows are so flat they’re hardly worth using. Be ready to do a big shop right away and check that the fridge and freezer work. Our freezer never properly froze the ice lollies, which stayed soft for ages. You need to buy mineral water because you can’t drink the tap water anywhere. Thankfully, about eight 1.5 L bottles cost €1.50, which isn’t bad. We spent around €20 on water over the week. The rubbish rules are ridiculous. They won’t return your deposit if even one bag isn’t put out on the right day. There’s a collection every day, but you have to know which type goes out when. They also don’t replace bin bags automatically, so you have to catch reception during its short opening hours to get more. It’s the most tedious rubbish system ever.

Stella Marina Residence was easily our best find in Sardinia. We compared several places, and most were either very expensive for what they offered or old and in need of care. This one was spotless and clearly looked after, and for €734 for a week in May for four people, the price was hard to beat. The apartment was roomy and lovely, with a nice garden and bathroom, and the whole complex was well maintained. San Teodoro is close by, with restaurants next door and the center and a supermarket about a five-minute walk away. It’s quiet too, and handy for planning trips. You’ll need a car for the really beautiful beaches. There’s a small beach within walking distance, though it’s nothing special. There’s no pool. The apartment has a coffee machine, and reception sells capsules for 50 cents. We also had a washing machine and kitchen utensils. I’d highly recommend Stella Marina Residence.

Melissa made a big difference to our stay. She was so kind and helpful, and gave us useful suggestions for excursions and other things to do. We had a few problems with the apartment at first, but she and the owner quickly arranged for us to move, and I’m grateful they did. Without that, the holiday could have been a letdown. The residence is very handy for San Teodoro’s center, tobacconists, and all sorts of supermarkets. La Cinta is the nearest beach and it’s beautiful, though the beaches get extremely crowded. I’d suggest getting there by 8:00 AM at the latest if you want to find a place. We had a great time and I’d definitely recommend staying here.

The location is the best part, with everything really close by. The apartment itself was decent, but a bit dated, and there’s just one air conditioner for the whole place. There are no mosquito nets, and the mosquitoes were constant. One evening we even had a gecko inside. Noise was another problem: we were below a family with three kids who were loud even at night, and the sound insulation is poor. If you’re a light sleeper, that can become a real mess. This isn’t the building’s fault, but it made our stay harder. One more thing: the receptionist who came the day before we left to check the apartment felt a little unpleasant to me. She came in and opened the fridge and kitchen cupboards to inspect them. I understand the reason, but I didn’t find it very comfortable. I’ve stayed in apartments for years and this was the first time that happened.