Villaggio Cala Di Volpe Hotel & Residence in Capo Vaticano

I never write reviews on TripAdvisor, as we are generally satisfied with our hotel choices, but this experience was so disappointing that I felt compelled to share it: 1. We paid extra for a supposedly upgraded apartment with two bedrooms. One of the rooms had no window at all, and the second offered a view directly onto a wall. 2. The apartment was located in the upper part of the hotel complex. We were aware that this meant climbing a steep hill several times a day, but we expected a beautiful view as a reward. In reality, the actual view was about 11 meters away from the apartment, not from inside it. 3. Pool/beach towels came at an extra charge of €6 per towel per exchange, and using the room towels outside was strictly forbidden under threat of a fine. I’ve never experienced this in a 4-star beach hotel before – we’ve never had to bring our own towels. 4. The breakfast selection was extremely poor – comparable to what I last saw in a 2-star hotel in Rome 15 years ago. The food itself wasn’t even of good quality; it appeared to be the cheapest supermarket options available. 5. On our arrival day, we were hungry but found that the bar only served chips and ice cream until 8 PM. When I politely asked where we could get some proper food, I was told there was nowhere. The reception recommended a place two hotels away, which turned out not to accept card or cash. Ironically, there was a simple hotel right next door that made us a pizza – something the staff at both the bar and reception were surely aware of. 6. One day, our daughter felt unwell, and we waited at the reception for the shuttle to take us back up the hill to the apartment. After 10 minutes, I asked if we could be driven up as she wasn't feeling well, but the staff prioritized serving other guests who had arrived after us. After asking again – this time more urgently – I was told they were busy. In the end, our daughter had to walk up the hill in the heat. 7. Entering the sea without water shoes is at your own risk due to the terrain, so we had to drive to a different beach every day. 8. Hardly any of the staff spoke English, which made communication quite difficult. 9. We expected some insects given the location, but the presence of biting mosquitoes and ants in the apartment was excessive. Other hotels in similar environments usually manage this much better. In short, while the location has potential, this hotel fails on almost every other level. Based on our experience, we would not recommend staying here.