Villa Carpenti

Lovely spot, and the staff were really friendly 👍😋

The staff made me feel looked after from the moment I arrived at Villa Carpenti. I’d made a mistake online and accidentally cancelled my reservation after paying by credit card. The cancellation was in the system, but the receptionist understood what had happened and quickly arranged to give me the room anyway. One of the breakfast staff also kindly put my two refrigerated breakfast blocks in the kitchen freezer, then handed them back frozen on the morning I left for the long trip home. That kindness really stayed with me. Thank you all for making my time in Santa Marinella special. I’d stayed here before, when it was still called Hotel le Najadi, and had always loved the enchanting location. For my long weekend in early June this year, I found it pleasantly and tastefully renovated. The bathroom in my room looked practically new. It’s not a luxury hotel, but the little details feel special, like the complimentary toiletries that seemed worthy of a spa. The location is as beautiful and almost breathtaking as ever, parking is convenient and partly shaded, and breakfast is sumptuous, with an amazing sea view.

I came back for a weekend after a longer stay at the end of June, and the hotel’s position right on the sea still gives a breathtaking view. It’s conveniently close to both the center and the beach, and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. There’s private parking too. The staff are kind and helpful, especially Olga and Sonia, who were attentive to guests’ needs. I’d recommend staying here for a relaxing seaside break.

The bathroom was one of the strangest things I’ve seen: a shower with no tray, practically inside the toilet, like a campsite setup. The rooms were dirty and dated, with no air conditioning, just old rusty floor fans that seemed ready for the basement because they were so noisy. There were crumbling window frames, cobwebs and dust in the ceiling corners, and loose sockets sticking out of the wall. I was told only two or three rooms had been renovated and the rest were like ours, which was close to embarrassing. I paid over €130 a night after choosing the property based on its online photos, so the difference between those pictures and the room was a huge disappointment. The hotel had a large sign with the wrong name, if I remember right, “Hotel Le Najadi,” alongside a small “Villa Carpenti” sign, but that was the least of the problems. Possibly the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. A NIGHTMARE HOTEL.