Five stars for an authentic southern Italian experience in a grand old house. You should stay here! This is an absolutely fantastic place and Monica was excellent! She was very responsive and helpful both before and during our stay. Monica lives in Milano when she cannot be in Sta. Maria al Bagno, so she coordinates with a local host, Ms. Patrizia, who was also excellent! Ms. Patrizia was extremely warm and welcoming, and she was right on time for check-in and check-out. She also left us a bottle of local white wine (very good!) in the refrigerator as a welcome gift. Ms. Patrizia only speaks Italian, but there is no trouble communicating as long as you know some basics. And Ms. Patrizia can call Monica (who speaks English) during check-in and check-out if there is any confusion. Great, great hosts! You can email Monica to ask for recommendations about restaurants and activities. She directed us on who to call to rent a boat and where to eat for dinner (Scapricciatiello in Lido Conchiglie, just 5 minutes south of Sta. Maria al B. on the coast road -- delicious!).

About the house: it is very beautiful, the rooms are huge, the ceilings are vaulted. There is a piano (in tune!) and an incredible view of the town beach. And the location cannot be beat; you can walk to absoultely everything in Sta. Maria al Bagno and be on the beach in two minutes. There is plenty of free parking on the street below the house (in June -- parking might get tough in the high season of July & August). The house also has pull-down window screens, which you should absolutely use to prevent mosquitoes at night. This is a great feauture! Many places in southern Europe simply don't have screens. The center room does not have windows, but it does have an air conditioning unit to keep cool at night. The other two rooms catch a strong breeze through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

This house simply cannot be beat for charm and location. Sta. Maria al B. is a great base for exploring the Ionian coast, and the town itself (as well as the town beach) is excellent. Some recommendations:

drive about 30 mins north to Punta Prosciutto for a long beach day;

hang out with Gigi and Vanessa in the beach bar at the Sta. Maria al B. town beach;

have an africano at Bar Pergola;

try the tuna pasta and tuna tartare at Ristorante al Riccio.