HOST
Valeria was a fantastic host. One of the best hosts I've met on Air BnB. Great and speedy communication throughout. Valeria offered us a very friendly check in, meeting us to show us around the property, offering suggestions for local things to see and do, as well as sorting us with a reliable cab number who never let us down. Valeria was overall incredibly accommodating to me and my friends, and went above and beyond in her hosting. I can not rate her highly enough.
THE APARTMENT
It's a very spacious apartment. Every bedroom is a very good size. High ceilings throughout, and very light and airy with clean walls, art, and chic furniture across the space. Plenty of seating for the seven of us around the inside and outside table, and on the sofas. Could easily fit a few more people in. With shutters, canopy outside, and air con, you can easily moderate the heat to your liking, which is a big bonus. My bed was comfy and I slept fine throughout. The huge balcony is a real find. There's sun loungers, a table and seating, plus lighting. You can easily send all your time out there, as me and my friends did. There's two full bathrooms, each with loo and shower. There was seven of us staying, and we all felt like we had loads of room and personal space. It really is a big apartment.
LOCATION
This is the thing. It's 10 meters away from the beach. The balcony and front bedrooms overlook the beach and sea. The apartment is in the middle of the cove, so you get full panoramic views of the mountains, boats, trees, and town, as well as the sea and beach. It's a stunning view - world class. I've never had such a phenomenal view from a holiday let literally anywhere else. It's fantastic. It's a 5 minute walk to the town with loads of eateries, but there's also a beach bar less than 2 mins away. You couldn't be closer to the beach - 20 seconds crossing the little road and you're on the beautiful beach.
THE TOWN
We went to a different restaurant for lunch and dinner every night, and weren't running out of places. Every one of the restaurants we visited had more of the brilliant views sat outside (which most of them cater for), alongside streamlined but very on point seafood, pizza, and pasta, menus. Some of the best pizzas you'll ever eat for about €5.50. Cheap beers, coffees, and cocktails to be found all over the small town. There's also a little national park which is good for walks, runs, or to mix up your swimming away from the main beach. We got cabs into Palermo itself a few times, which were around €35 euros plus a small tip for a group of seven people (probs cheaper for single car) - taking around 20 mins. Palermo is great, more of a busy Italian city with all the nightlife, shopping, and restaurants that go with it. Mondello, where the apartment is, is more of a laid back riviera style town.
Our group was all in our mid-late-30's and it couldn't have been more perfect. Lively, without being full of tourists and yobs. Clean and stylish, bit shabby and authentic, without being over priced or cut off from other places. All in all, this was a perfect stay. Ideal. Wonderful. I can not rate Valeria's apartment in Mondello enough overall as a travel experience. Book in confidence.