Paolo and Caterina kept in touch and answered my questions during and after my booking. They also offered to pick me up from an event I had booked tickets for, which was lovely of them (the event was cancelled so I didn't need to bother them in the end).

This apartment is clearly photographed in the listing, and it was perhaps due to the translation that I didn't quite realise what it was like, as I don't speak any Italian. It is up a secured, gated alley and is a kind of converted cellar with no windows. The sleeping area up on the platform is very nicely done, comfortable and pleasant to sleep in. The living area is completely functional, and would be fine for a quick night or two stopover if you are really only there to sleep. Again, you can see all this from the photos in the listing, I think I expected there would be a window and something other than garden furniture to sit on, but this is shown in the listing and again it was my fault for expecting anything else. The toilet and shower area was a bit smelly, and the fridge and kitchen appliances were not very clean, but it wasn't too bad.

As a middle-aged female travelling on my own, I did not feel particularly safe staying in this area, although there is a huge police station joined on to the Immigration Offices next door, so I'm sure I was in the safest place! The apartment is near to the sea, but there is a huge car park, walls and busy main road in between, and the beaches are at the other side of the island - again this is something I could have checked out myself before I booked.

Other reviewers mentioned there was nowhere to sit out and this is true - there is a beautiful tiny sitting area further down the alley where Paolo and Caterina live and where their other, larger apartment they rent out is situated, but there is no room for anyone else to sit there, and Paolo and Caterina did not mention it to me when I arrived. There was a garden seat outside my metal bolted door, but it was in a stone tunnel next to their parked motor bike in the dark so nobody would want to sit there.

Paolo and Caterina were polite and helpful, and this apartment would suit someone for a night or two stopover - I probably would have felt more comfortable when I was younger or if I was with my partner. I left a day early because I didn't like it, but that was just my personal preference and I didn't get a chance to speak to the hosts before I left to say thank you.