La Vecchia Scuola

“Fabulous little secret gem”

I booked this place as a base for visiting the Island of Elba, thinking I would stay a couple of nights, then move on o the larger hotels in Porto Azurro and Portoferraio.. We were so happy and comfortable that we didn't move and spent the whole holiday here. The views of marina and beach were to d… Plus

I booked this place as a base for visiting the Island of Elba, thinking I would stay a couple of nights, then move on o the larger hotels in Porto Azurro and Portoferraio.. We were so happy and comfortable that we didn't move and spent the whole holiday here. The views of marina and beach were to die for and as we had a car, getting anywhere on the island is a shortish drive. There was no reason to trade our cosy flat for a hotel, especially with the Mistral cafe below serving such lovely Pizzas! The flat is self catering and you will need your own toiletries and toilet paper as is normal in these type of rentals. The only possible downside is the living noise from the other flats and in the summer I can imagine that the statements regarding noise from the lovely bar below may be true but just go and join in!

Moins

“After an initial glitch was sorted, we loved it there”

Just to clear up any confusion, this accommodation is in Cavo, not Rio Marina (the postal address can appear a bit confusing). There are ferry services to/from Piombino and Portoferraio, plus a limited bus service to/from Portoferraio via Rio Marina, Porto Azzurro and Capoliveri, so Cavo is access… Plus

Just to clear up any confusion, this accommodation is in Cavo, not Rio Marina (the postal address can appear a bit confusing). There are ferry services to/from Piombino and Portoferraio, plus a limited bus service to/from Portoferraio via Rio Marina, Porto Azzurro and Capoliveri, so Cavo is accessible. We thought Cavo is a lovely little place to stay, picturesque with friendly places to eat and a walking route up into the hills (about a four mile round trip). As for La Vecchia Scuola, shortly before arriving we received an email to stay we could not stay the first night due to a water problem but after a couple of phone calls the owners put us up in another hotel two minutes' walk away for the first night. La Vecchia Scuola apartments are lovely, with windows opening to a beautiful view of Cavo marina. We are very glad we stayed there. Note there is no reception, but the owners come to meet you to check you in at an agreed time and you leave the keys in the door for 10am check out so it's all easy. Recommended.

Moins

“Perfect location for a beach base on stunning Elba.”

Stayed here on our visit to Elba and was a great place to stay. Firstly make sure you get the Piombino Ferry to Cavo rather than Rio Marina like we did. Secondly, the lady owner (who was lovely), does;t speak much English. This is something that is quite common on Elba, but which actually made i… Plus

Stayed here on our visit to Elba and was a great place to stay. Firstly make sure you get the Piombino Ferry to Cavo rather than Rio Marina like we did. Secondly, the lady owner (who was lovely), does;t speak much English. This is something that is quite common on Elba, but which actually made it more appealing to me! The apartment is spacious and suitable for 4 people (maybe a family) at a push. There is a settee/futon in the living area. The place is a perfect base for the stunning Cavo Beach and there are lots of very good restaurants, cafes, supermarkets etc near the apartment. The only thing I would advise would be that some instant coffee is left in the apartment somewhere so you can have a morning coffee, but saying that, the cafe across the road from the entrance made very good coffee. The apartment has a mans and ladies city bike downstairs that can be used, and I cycled across to Rio Marina on two of the days to break up the sunbathing! The views across the ocean to Italy are stunning and when we caught the ferry on the last morning at 7am, the sunrise was spectacular. Great location and super apartment.

Moins

“Good location, but need some maintenance works ASAP”

Actually I could see from the bed the sunrise! Alessandra was waiting for us after midnight to show us the free parking place. Minuses: 1. kitchen hood! terrifying! all the cooking smoke and smell doesn't get out of room through the kitchen hood, as it is not a pipe or other device attached! So, … Plus

Actually I could see from the bed the sunrise! Alessandra was waiting for us after midnight to show us the free parking place. Minuses: 1. kitchen hood! terrifying! all the cooking smoke and smell doesn't get out of room through the kitchen hood, as it is not a pipe or other device attached! So, everything is exhaust in the house: fumes and smoke, grease, moisture and even heat. 2. We stayed a week and we would have appreciated to have the towels changed. 3. They did not provide soap, shampoo nor dish soap, garbage bags, nothing. The sweep was like 100 years old so difficult to use, no other way to clean. 4. Nobody told where to throw the garbage. We had to left it out the room, in the building. Alessandra was mad to us, I tried to explain I didn't now where to throw, finally she explain to me where to, so after that was ok. More English would help, lucky we could understand some Italian 5. We wanted to pay by credit card - for this we had to go to Portoferraio. Twice, as first time they tried our card and said the POS doesn't work. They didn't seem interested to solve the problem. We called the next days! They said it doesn't work but might work on Sunday afternoon?! (we told we are leaving early on Monday). We went directly (Friday maybe), after we decided just to go at the office, tired of false promises. They tried to make the payment and said it doesn't work. Than they discovered that the POS didn't have paper so after refiling with paper the POS worked! We payed! 6. They should explain what they provide and what they don't. (First time we don't find soap, shampoo or dish soap). The rooms was ok, but need some maintenance works ASAP (not only in the kitchen)! The kitchen hood is useless as it is!

Moins