Porto Azzurro Vacations from $1,230

BEWARE - Upon check in, the receptionist tried to charge a BIG extra "cleaning fee" saying rates don't include it! I pulled up the booking and all the T&C's and pushed back hard. Of course that was not a valid extra charge. Then she took a mandatory GIANT deposit for a 3 night stay. Hotels.com won't let me put the value or they reject the review - but it was far more than the cost of the whole accommodation!! I have never seen a deposit this big at 5* hotels! Upon check out and after a new receptionist came and physically "checked" the apartment to release the deposit but said the deposit was LESS THAN HALF of what I paid - 2.5x LESS to be exact (again review rejected when I write a value). I had the paper receipt of the charge and showed her my bank app and what was charged on my Visa!! She said she didn't know why I was charged 2.5x normal which is standard for under a week!!! Beyond all that - which is bad enough - this place is very dated and offers very little - the pool looks better in photos and has no service (nowhere to buy a spritz or drinks) and must pay more to rent towels and swim caps from them! No bar or restaurant or area to sit outside. Plus the beds were very hard and one bed frame squeaked so much it was unusable! When I told and showed the check-out person (who was looking to see if our deposit could be returned!) she just shrugged - honestly no one cares about your stay at this property. We've never experienced such an indifferent staff.

The hosts were very kind and showed us around the property upon arrival! Loved having a kitchen and sitting area!