Rua 39 fine apartments

Our week at Run 39 fine apartments was a great choice. The place is quiet and central on the Island, with bakeries, cafes, and places to eat just minutes away. Inside, it’s spacious, spotlessly clean, nicely furnished, and has high ceilings. We’d choose the same apartment again if we come back to the area.

The apartment was cute and cost under 200 a night all in, with a double bed rather than a queen. I found it through the Hotels App. The mattress was comfortable, the rooms spacious with high ceilings, and there were two windows, though being in an alley meant little light and no view. There are a few units in the building, so it was generally calm. The pictures matched what we found, the staff were nice, and Netflix was available. Germana quickly brought coffee and pods the day after we reported they were missing, and there was tea too. This is more like an Airbnb than a hotel, with no service or cleaning during the stay. It took a few hours after arrival to get a WhatsApp number for Germana, and there was no note in the apartment explaining who to contact or how to use the laundry. The room felt damp and cold, although that might be good in summer. Decorative lights outside flashed into the room at night even through the blinds, so light sleepers may want eye covers. Plumbing workers started before 8 am for three mornings, and hot water was inconsistent on two mornings, perhaps because of that work. The dryer hadn’t been maintained. We didn’t know it wasn’t vented outside, and had to empty a water tray. The lint collector hadn’t been emptied for a while either. We were charged the four-star tax rate on arrival, but later saw the property was rated three stars and that the city permits the charge for up to four nights in Ortigia. This was in our reservation details, which we hadn’t checked on arrival. When I asked about it, Germana didn’t reply, which felt odd. The bathroom had humidity, the towels were hard to dry, and there was no cleaning service. I’d suggest a small couch, a sheet with contact and basic information, two bottles of water on arrival since the potable water tastes salty, one toilet roll per day, and two kitchen cloths and two sets of towels. Thanks for the stay.

Rua 39 is in Ortigia’s historic center, in the old Jewish quarter of Giudecca, surrounded by history and culture. We were struck by the host’s courtesy and impeccable service. We hope to return to this lovely corner of Sicily next summer. Goodbye, Ortigia and Rua 39. Giovanni and Dora Gnisci

We all slept really well, including our two-year-old son, my husband, and me. The apartment was clean and roomy, with a very comfortable bed, soft pillows, and quality linens. It’s a great base for visiting Ortigia Island, and we’d love to come back. Highly recommended.