Hotel Califfo in Quartu Sant Elena

When we arrived at Hotel Califfo the receptionist was pleasant enough, despite our late arrival. However, that’s about the only good thing about this place. The location is far away from any nicer restaurants, which was poor research on our part. The largest issue was the cleanliness, the room was downright disgusting and I think at best the bed was made and th toiletries replaced. Drywall plaster shavings on the floor, dirt/grim on coverlet, blood oj the pillow case and ants on the floor. Beyond the cleanliness the rooms are dated, beds uncomfortable and they give you two very thin pillows. We booked for three nights and with no where else to go at 10:30pm we stayed one night and left to an Air BNB in the morning. If you are trying to have a nice holiday, do not stay here - its absolutely not worth it.

**Hotel Stay Review: Disappointing Experience at a Supposed 4-Star Hotel**

When booking our recent stay, we were initially impressed by the hotel's website, which showcased a 4-star rating and featured appealing photos of the rooms and amenities. Unfortunately, the reality of our experience fell far short of expectations.

Upon arrival, the check-in process was smooth and hassle-free, which gave us hope for a pleasant stay. However, that hope was quickly dashed the moment we entered our room. We were met with an overpowering cigar smell that made the room unbearable. This was a significant disappointment, especially since we expected a clean, odor-free environment. We immediately returned to the reception, where, thankfully, we were given a different room. This second room had a normal, clean smell, which was a relief.

Despite this improvement, it quickly became apparent that the entire hotel was in dire need of some serious TLC and refurbishment. The overall condition of the property was poor, with clear signs of neglect and a lack of maintenance. The pool area was particularly dismal, with a gloomy atmosphere and gazebos that looked like they hadn't been cleaned or maintained in years. Frankly, they seemed more suited for the junkyard than a 4-star hotel.

The room itself was operated by an old-fashioned key rather than a modern key card, which felt outdated. The bathroom was another major letdown—the shower was so small and cramped, and the shower head had to be held by hand because the wall mount was loose and barely functional.

Breakfast was, without a doubt, the worst part of our stay. It was by far the most horrible breakfast experience I've ever had at a hotel. The selection was extremely limited, with bland, shop-bought cakes, a single type of ham and cheese, cold boiled eggs, and runny, odd-looking scrambled eggs that had a strong, unpleasant smell. The juices were served in carafes and were unremarkable, but the instant coffee was the real low point. It was served from a water urn that seemed like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages, resulting in a terrible taste and smell.

On a positive note, I must acknowledge that our room was cleaned daily, and the towels were changed on the third day of our stay. The air conditioning in the room worked well, which was a small comfort given the overall condition of the hotel. However, I was surprised and disappointed to find that there was no iron available in the room. When I inquired at reception, I was told that I would have to give my dresses to the cleaners in the morning, and they would iron them for me at an additional cost. This was a ridiculous policy—when on holiday, you never know what you might want to wear in the evening, and making those decisions in advance is impractical.

Overall, this hotel experience was a major letdown. The property’s condition, lack of proper amenities, and the dreadful breakfast made it far from the 4-star experience that was advertised. I would not recommend staying here until significant improvements are made.

No way is this a 4 star hotel it’s the worst hotel I have ever stayed in, it should be called Hotel Catfish because it was nothing at all like the website showed. Rooms were from the 1970s, metal doors constantly banging, absolutely no sound proofing I could hear the man next door using the toilet and coughing. Breakfast was disgusting. Service was extremely poor. Local beach had more dog poo than sand on it. Absolutely no attractions/services nearby except a spar, a bar and a restaurant all of which were overpriced and to get to them you had to cross a dangerous road. We checked out the first morning of what was supposed to be a five day stay. Our first room was like a prison cell and the only view was the fire escape we asked to be moved and we were to an equally bad room but the view was now about 100 solar panels. Area was desolate would never visit here again. 🤦‍♀️