First of all the view from the apartment is truly breathtaking and just as in the pictures. Il Gelso is beautifully located in the mountains of Lipari and their are many great walking tours you can do from the apartment (for example one to or from the village Quattropani along the coast). Since we did not rent a car we frequently used the bus which runs every hour from Monday to Saturday to Lipari city. It was especially useful to take the route up the mountain back to the flat.
The room has everything you need for a few days on Lipari and looks quite similar to the pictures. We used the kitchen to make breakfast and cook pasta for dinner everyday. It was great to have breakfast on the terrace every morning and see the scenery of Lipari and Vulcano change from day to day.
Claudio picked us up from the harbour with his tuk-tuk on our first day. However, the pick up and drop off did not seem to be obligatory: Since we had to catch the ferry at 8.30 am to make it to our connecting train we asked if there is a drop off or if we have to take the bus. We did not really get an answer from Claudio apart from the comment that guests usually receive a drop off at 10 am (there is no ferry between 9.30 and 11.30 am) and he need to think about it. We never really received an answer and Claudio showed no further interest in our check-out. A negative answer to the request would have been more helpful than no answer at all.
Long story short: As it is stated in Claudio's description it is recommendable to have a car to achieve more mobility and flexibility.