This was our first time using airbnb to organise holiday accommodation and we found it wonderfully simple from start to finish. Mariella was very quick responding to our booking request, and we had great communication before we'd even left for Sicily! Mariella and her husband Miko were really kind and friendly hosts, inviting us onto their terrace for coffee when we arrived and sharing recommendations for trips around Siracusa and restaurants in town. They always stopped to say hello and even brought us some mosquito repellent and told us about a little beach in a nearby town- it's always so helpful to have a local's insider knowledge! They were totally flexible with us regarding arrival and checking out- it made everything really simple. They have two German Shepard dogs that are really well trained and we'd sometimes spot one of them sitting on the stairs that lead up to Mariella and Miko's apartment but they didn't trouble us at all.

The apartment itself is really good, clean and simple with bedding, towels, air conditioning, lots of hot water and a great little kitchenette with fridge, freezer, kettle, Bialetti coffee maker and stove. We had a great time shopping in the food market, cooking and eating out on the beautiful little terrace, it's filled with pot plants and a nice shady spot to sit, and very pretty when lit up with candles in the evening. It's also sheltered enough that you can sit out if it rains.

The location of the apartment was great- right on Via Roma which is a really pretty street that starts right on the coastline and leads up towards the Duomo and lots of little shops, cafes, bars and a bakery. It's about a 5 minute walk along the coast towards where you can swim and bask on the rocks, and about another 5 minutes from the apartment up into the main part of Ortigia. Just next door there's a well stocked grocery shop, and you're just a short walk away from some delicious gelato so really you have everything that you need!

We had a really relaxing holiday here, and I'd totally recommend it- it's a lovely apartment that is terrific value for money, in a really wonderful location.