Alla Porta delle Stelle

The apartment was in a very quiet area, and the center of Tropea was about a 10-15 minute walk away. Those were the only good things about it. We were five people staying in July 2024 at the apartment on Via Carmine, Alla Porta delle Stelle (Apt. 24), and it was not suitable for the up to seven guests they claim it can sleep. In my view, it could fit at most two adults and two children. Before booking, I checked with Tropea Accomodation that the place had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The managers weren't clear about which apartment they were renting, since the website showed photos of several different apartments, but they assured me there'd be a double bedroom, a room with two single beds, an attic with two beds, and two bathrooms. When we arrived on a scorching afternoon in mid-July, the air conditioning wasn't working. I called several times before a technician came to recharge the units, which were effectively flat. The managers said the previous guests hadn't complained about the heat, but the technician didn't arrive until the next day. We had to sleep in the hot apartment that night. Fans were provided, but the attic was still scorching. The attic ceiling was so low people hit their heads several times. It was basically unfurnished, with a double bed and a single bed but not even a bedside table. The stairs from the ground floor also seemed unsafe and, I don't think, up to code. The so-called second bathroom up there had no window or ventilation, just a tiny sink, toilet, and bathtub. We only used it once because it leaked water downstairs. The bedroom with the two single beds was tiny and unlivable for two people. It had no furnishings, not even a bedside table, and barely enough room for two. When we raised all this with the manager in person, they told us they'd already received several complaints from previous guests and believed the apartment shouldn't be rented anymore.

The complex is in a pleasant area, and its three air conditioning units worked really well. But the Wi-Fi was unreliable, and there weren't any electrical outlets in the loft. We booked the deluxe triple room for six adults, and it was cramped and basic, really more suited to two adults and four children. The adult beds weren't comfortable, and there were no hooks for wet towels. I'd recommend having a car, since walking means going along the side of the road.

The house is modern and spacious, with comfortable beds and a great location. But cleanliness was poor, especially the very dirty floors, and there were loads of ants. The beds didn't have mattress covers either. The person who greeted us had forgotten the POS terminal, which was a serious problem, and had no change. I'd suggest checking the payment options beforehand.

The trip there seemed great, but the service at "At the Gate of the Stars" turned out rotten, more like a stable than a place to stay. Inside, there was practically nothing besides chairs to sit on. Only one air conditioning remote worked, and the attic was so low it seemed made for gnomes. They charge a little extra for wine, yet we got two broken deckchairs and a barbecue that was falling apart. Even the dishwasher seemed designed to make a mess. The service was seriously lacking.