Pros and Cons. Pros: This is a great modern tasteful private villa that appears to have been recently built to a very high standard. The grounds and pool are splendid. Cons: unfortunately, my experience with the host was not so great and this really did spoil the whole experience for me.
I asked a day before arriving if we could check-in a little bit early or if we could drop our bags off in the garden/courtyard before check-in, while noting it was no problem either way. Maria said that the cleaners did not want to mix with guests due to Covid and that she would let us know when they were finished for check-in. She did not respond to my question about dropping our bags off. She added that she would not be at the villa but that her parents would handle the check-in. We arrived 2 hours before check-in. I called Maria 10 minutes before arriving to see if we could drop our bags off. Maria did not answer. Upon arriving at the villa, I asked the gardener (from the other side of the garden wall) if he could ask Maria's parents if we could drop our bags off in the garden so that we might be able to free some space in the car to do some shopping.
Maria’s parents were extremely gracious and welcoming. They ushered us in and began the check-in process. I explained via the gardener, who spoke very good English, that we only wanted to drop our bags off in the garden (not check-in) but they insisted on checking us in. They took our deposit, gave me the keys and showed me around the kitchen while the cleaners carried on with their business. Despite this, I removed myself from the villa once that had been done and my wife and youngest son remained in the car throughout until the actual check-in time.
Maria then called and said we shouldn’t be in the villa. I explained that we were not in the villa. She then said we shouldn’t be in the garden either. I explained that her parents had insisted on checking us in. She said that there had been a misunderstanding and hung up. I then approached Maria’s parents and relayed the conversation via the gardener. I suggested that we could leave the grounds altogether. Maria’s mother said there was no problem whatsoever and that everything was “perfecto” so I left it at that. Shortly later, Maria started texting, saying we should leave our bags in the villa and leave and that we were hindering the cleaners etc. I tried calling Maria but again she was unavailable. I replied by saying that her parents had already checked-us in (when all we wanted to do was drop our bags off in the massive garden) etc. By this time, the cleaners saw that I was getting upset so they approached me at least twice in the garden to say that everything was fine and that there was no problem so far as they were concerned. Maria’s husband then called. He apologized for the misunderstanding and the matter, so far as I was concerned, was put to rest.
However, I expected Maria to perhaps text or call the next day to at least ask how we were given the “rocky” start we had had. She didn’t. Two days in, I texted about a jammed key. I got an abrupt response along the lines of “push door and turn”. A day or so later, I politely messaged to ask about a quiet beach. I received a standard reply. I thought that complimenting her on the villa might help and that she might respond in a way to make us feel more welcome. So I sent her a message praising the villa and thanking her for putting it together. I received no response to that message whatsoever.
There is more but I’ll leave it at that. The villa is great but our experience with the host was anything but.