Residence Cristal Blu

The rooms are a little dated, but the bed and pillows were comfortable, everything worked, and it felt like very good value. Ours was spacious, with a large bathroom and a small balcony, and it was spotless. We even saw how carefully the cleaning team worked in other rooms, no fluff under the beds! Check-in was easy, and they showed us the facilities, including laundry, free bikes and the recycling station. Check-out was just as simple, and we got our deposit back without any trouble after leaving the room as we found it. It's also close to the town centre, and having a pool to relax by was a nice extra. We enjoyed our stay.

The extra charges started at reception, where I was told I had to pay 290 euros upfront for electricity and water, even though nothing about that had been mentioned before. The receptionist's message was basically, pay or leave. They also charged us for cleaning and a so-called city tax, none of which appeared on my booking voucher. I showed it to them and still had to pay. They put you in a position where you have nowhere else to go, then demand ridiculous amounts for things they seem to make up on the spot, even sheets and pillows. It feels like a tourist trap. Don't book here, even if it looks free. Highly UNRECOMMENDED.

We were hit with extra charges when we arrived, none of them mentioned beforehand. Then our €200 deposit wasn't returned, even though we had cleaned thoroughly and left the place in perfect condition. I also left my gold ring there and never got it back. It was my wedding ring, such a pity. :( A terrible, disappointing experience. Never again. I totally don't recommend it, and I don't think the good reviews here are even real.

We had a lovely time, and the few problems didn't take away from that. The room was clean and roomy, with most of what we needed. It's a five-minute walk to the centre, near the port, and about 15 minutes on foot to a beautiful beach. The walls are very thin, though, so light sleepers should bring earplugs. There are quite a few costs to plan for: a refundable 200 euro deposit that felt steep and unfair, a €60 final cleaning fee that also seemed high, and €10 for a towel set, with no daily exchange for fresh ones. You have to buy your own toilet paper after the single roll provided on arrival, and the room isn't cleaned during the stay. I'd rather pay more for the holiday upfront and have these costs included than be led to think it's cheap by the small print. Guests booking through third parties need clearer information about extra charges. One other thing for anyone flying into Alghero: there are only 3 buses per day to santa Theresa gallura. We should have checked, but we learned our lesson and wanted to let other people know so they don't make the same mistake. Thankyou.