Residence Primula

The apartments are basic, and you have to make do. Some have air conditioning and some don't. We ran into a few problems: there was no lighter for the stovetop, and neither the electric hob nor the microwave worked. We managed, but I think the price is completely out of proportion. The extras are also excessive, as you can see in the photo.

The woman who manages the apartments was very helpful. She was happy to assist with anything we needed or offer advice about the area. The complex itself feels quite dated. The apartment is advertised for six, but perhaps only comfortable for three. The mattresses sag and are uncomfortable, so I wouldn't recommend them to anyone with back pain. The sofa bed is basically a single bed with another mattress and base underneath, and the little bedroom has a bunk bed. The water goes off now and then, and noise from the building is unbearable, with the pipes and elevator buzzing constantly. The cutlery and cookware were greasy. And if you leave the balcony light on, the 80-year-old owner will likely ring your bell at 9 a.m. to tell you to switch it off.

The layout of the bathroom is impossible, and you'd need a wheelchair or trolley to use it. Accessibility is a serious problem elsewhere too, as the architectural barriers make it virtually impossible for disabled people to get around. It's a 1970s building with an elevator, but there's very little comfort or atmosphere. It might work as a dormitory. The private parking is risky for cars, especially low-slung ones.

The building is near the sea, which is its one positive. The website photos are dated, and the property isn't as well maintained as it looks there. The apartments are tiny, maybe suitable just for sleeping. It's meant for two, but we had to use the sofa bed. The kitchen is minimal and too small to cook in, and the dining table is out on the balcony because there's no space for one inside. The parking area has raised slabs from tree roots, so it's easy to hit them with your car and risk damage. I understand these are affordable apartments, so I can accept a small place, an old bathroom and a two-meter kitchen. But having to sleep on the sofa bed and risk breaking something in the parking lot didn't feel like what we should get for the price.