Casale Poggio Meone

The apartment itself was well maintained and spacious, and guests in the air-conditioned ground-floor units probably had a better stay. Ours was a disappointing five nights, and I wouldn’t recommend this farmhouse to families or anyone expecting even a little professionalism. We booked by phone after a friend booked through Booking.com. The owner offered a small discount and confirmed space for us and our children, aged 2 and 4. Since we were coming from abroad, she called on arrival day to say check-in had to be by 7:30 PM. When we said we wouldn’t make it, she suggested finding another place. Later, someone else was offered to hand us the keys for an extra €20 in cash, with no amount mentioned beforehand. Our second-floor attic apartment had no air conditioning, just a fan. That hadn’t been made clear on the phone. The owner says she had mentioned it, but we wouldn’t have agreed with two small children. It reached 32°C (90°F) indoors at night. We asked for more fans or a portable air conditioner. Getting the first option took some effort, the second was ruled out, and eventually we got two very basic fans. Our travel companion had canceled but paid the full amount, leaving the air-conditioned ground-floor apartment empty. We asked if at least the mother and children could sleep there. At first it seemed possible, then insurance and cleaning were cited, and we were told it had already been rented again. We followed up, including on WhatsApp, and got no response. The owner even contacted our absent companion to say we were causing him problems. Frustrated, we thought about leaving, but in mid-August there were no reasonably priced alternatives. On the third day, after we complained, the owner came by, called us rude, and said we’d be doing her a favor if we left. We were speechless. We stayed to the end, hoping the heat would ease. On departure day we left at 9:00 AM as agreed and texted the owner, but didn’t even get an “OK.” Communication was poor and contradictory, late check-in cost an extra €20, the attic was unbearable in the heat with only fans, and there seemed to be little consideration for a family with two children. The old lock and door that wouldn’t close properly also made the place feel unsafe.

After the beach, we could unwind in the lovely in-ground pool. The farmhouse apartment is rustic, with good air conditioning and an outdoor dining area. It’s set in the countryside, about 15 minutes from the sea. Recommended!

The pool was closed when I was there in April. My apartment was nicely renovated and furnished, and although the house is by the road, it was quiet. I could enjoy a lovely morning view. It’s a detached house divided into apartments.

We spent a week at this farmhouse and felt at home thanks to how kind and helpful the owners were. The hills have a wonderful 360° view, with the sea only a few kilometers away. Two days of awful beach weather gave us the chance to visit Livorno, Bolgheri, and Castagneto Carducci, each about a half-hour drive away. Highly recommended!