Bed and Breakfast Cirelli

Maria made a lasting impression on us. She’s warm and helpful, and expertly bakes amazing breakfast cakes with genuine local products. The place is beautiful and welcoming, in a quiet, cool spot very close to the sea. Our room and bed were comfortable, with bright white linens, and both the room and bathroom were exceptionally clean. We stayed last weekend and would gladly return.

The rooms are reasonably clean, but the showers barely work properly. The electrical socket comes loose, and the bathroom cabinet is moldy, which is absolutely unacceptable. At 135 euros a night, they need to offer something better.

If you’re around Scalea, stop by Mrs. Maria’s. You won’t regret it! She’s spectacular and incredibly helpful. The rooms are clean and kept tidy, and the quiet setting makes for a restful stay. Her homemade breakfast cakes and pies could make professional pastry chefs jealous. We left Scalea this morning, and I’d give her six stars if I could. PS: 5 stars because unfortunately I can't give 6.

The breakfast was on the terrace beside the owner’s apartment. I found only sweet cakes, jars of hazelnuts, a jar of Nutella, and toast. I asked the lady to charge a fair price for what was provided. She charges €136 and doesn’t give a receipt. People travel these days and stay in hotels offering sweet and savory breakfast at this price, with tables covered in fabric, not sticky plastic. Madam, as we said, review your prices and services. This is a slap in the face to people’s intelligence. The exterior has several leaks, and the website photos are from a while ago. We had to shower with cold water because the faucet kept sticking from limescale. The shower walls wouldn’t stay in place, and we had to hold the shower head to stop it falling. There was no shampoo, shower gel, or hair dryer, and the towels felt like sandpaper. The cabinet under the sink was swollen, peeling at the bottom, and smelled of mold, probably from a landfill where someone had thrown it away. To charge a phone, you have to unplug the lamp, and be careful because you’ll be holding the entire electrical system in your hands. There are no mosquito nets. They do provide a small stove, but remember to ask for the plate, since the owner doesn’t put one in the drawer by default. PS: Cleanliness and an acceptable mattress are the minimum for a room for travelers. In the end I paid a fair price, otherwise I would have called the police.