Residence Ortigia

I had to buy napkins and sponges for the dishes, and when the evening got cold there was nothing to warm the place. I kept messaging the owner because I was freezing, but got no reply until the next day. We looked for somewhere else and couldn't find anything. Luckily, I found the air conditioner remote hidden under an extra pillow. We arrived on the 31st of December to a dirty apartment that looked nothing like the photos. The kitchen sink was disgusting, the floor had sticky stains, and there were bread crumbs and who knows what else on the furniture. The TV didn't work, even though they'd confirmed it did. It was almost impossible to communicate with the owner, and replies to my messages came very late. They offered us the option to leave and get our money back, but since we couldn't find another place, we had to stay. The other option was for them to clean more thoroughly the next day. Nobody came to clean during our stay, which lasted until the 3rd of January. I really, really don't recommend this place. Worst scam ever!

There was barely any ventilation in the apartment, and it smelled like a mix of pipes and damp. The entrance already looked bad, but going inside was worse. It seemed like nobody had swept or wiped the place in months: hair on the floor, dust everywhere, and spiders without exception. The Wi-Fi had no password and wasn't secure, and the TV didn't work. It's a shame, because welcoming a guest this way takes away from the nice side of working in tourism.

The apartments are lovely and right in the historic centre. One downside was the staircase to the second floor: the steps were loose and could easily cause someone to break a foot if they weren't careful, though it was fixed by the second night. The restaurant is literally 1 m from the bedroom and entrance door. If you go to bed after 3 AM, this place is definitely worth it.

The location is great for visiting the main attractions, which are close enough to walk back and forth without making a big excursion. The place itself is basic but clean and great value for money. It is tucked away and difficult to find, and trying to drive close just to drop off luggage is challenging, so it's better not to attempt it. The apartments share a courtyard with a nearby restaurant. On weekend nights, it can feel as though people are peeking into the room. On the other hand, we had the whole restaurant to ourselves for lunch on an empty Monday, which worked very well with little kids. The restaurant, Pub Vecchio, isn't bad either. Reception was a little late to greet us, but that wasn't a problem. The electronic lock was annoying, as it seemed to work at random. That's the one star I took off.