Villa Lena

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : We were after some poolside sunshine, but we got so much more. Located atop a hill, Villa Lena overlooks the surrounding landscape. While its easy to drive to the surrounding little towns (15-minute drive to the closest, Palaia), other than a couple of half-day trips we just enjoyed the grounds of Villa Lena. Over our stay we got to know the other guests and the artists in residence too. One of the nights the guests were welcomed to join the artists for drinks and a live performance by one of the musicians at sunset next to the historic villa in which they reside. Our room was lovely. Our two-year-old had an excellent cot to sleep in.
  : The pool is brilliant, its heated and so delightful... but the kids' pool heating was broken, and the water was pretty cold. Im sure theyll fix this soon, but it was broken the week we stayed. Poolside vibe: Perhaps it was because it was later in the season but, the poolside bar was not open most of the time by default - when the guests asked for the bar to be open the (brilliant) staff were obliging. Also, regarding the poolside vibe, we had to keep asking for the music to be turned back on. These little things would make a great experience even better.Included in the booking were breakfast and dinner. While the breakfast was a good quality, simple buffet, the dinner menu did get repetitivevery similar (or the same) options from one night to the next. The dinner options didnt feel like a taste of Italy wed have hoped for. If there was one thing that lets Villa Lena down, its the food. Unfortunately, weve had better, authentic-quality pizza and pasta in random little Italian restaurants. In almost all other aspects Villa Lena is excellent, so its disappointing that Villa Lena does not put as much thought and heart into their menu as they do into everything else.

Very Good
Traveller Type:

Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : Interior, facilities, supplies
  : The main courses could have been better: the startes were absolutely delicious, but we were missing the same quality im the mains.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : An awesome magical place! Great location, lots of beautiful places around to explore. Stylish interiors, beautifully designed rooms and common spaces. Friendly staff and artists in residence. Would love to be back here.
  : The road up to the villa is a bit bumpy. Would have been nice to have different breakfast options. Otherwise, all good!

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The stuff was greatThe service was awesomeThe bed was big and comfortableThe view was amazingThe food was delicious and fresh on each dayTheir wine
  : The warm pool was not warmThere is no heating inside the room

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children

Disappointing
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The place is secluded and immersed in nature, with olive trees and breathtaking views. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Staff is nice and kind, although completely disorganised if not incompetent, which shows lack of training and poor management.The idea is good but but its a wasted potential.
  : I booked a double room for 370euros which included breakfast and dinner (excluding drinks, breakfast eggs, specials).For that price I expected a beautiful room.Yet while the room in itself was pleasant, it was right in the passageway and overlooking the car park. When I asked to switch to another room of the same category, which I saw was much better located, staff kindly tried to accommodate and called the owner; but I was told that the Villa Lena owner had some friends coming over last minute to fill the empty rooms and that she had already allocated those rooms to them. So no, I could not change, the owner prioritised her own friends rather than paying guests it seems.When I got to the main pool at first, I was told there were no sunbeds and simply to wait around or come back later. When I inquired at reception they apologetically told me that the villa was full and sunbeds were on a first come, first served basis. This is inacceptable, as they should not have filled the Villa at full capacity then! For over 300 euros a night, I expect a place by the pool.There is no communication between reception, the pools or the rooms (there is no phone in the rooms). This is a recipe for bad service, of course. So when I asked to check if there were free sunbeds in the second pool, reception told me I had to go and check.As I insisted, I was sent to the second pool, where I managed to find a sunbed and spent the afternoon relaxing, until a hen party arrived - they were nice and respectful but still a hen party bringing their own music speakers and splashing around.The pools are not supervised; when the wind blew so strong that the parasols started falling down and one nearly fell into the pool, we picked it up and closed it ourselves.Food is ok but not exceptional; the pulpo was so chewy I could not even finish it. A pasta, fish and chocolate cake I had for dinner were very nice.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : - Delicious food, I really liked the organic and regional focus of the menu! - Friendly and motivated staff, they shared the good vibes of the Italian lifestyle with us everyday
  : The last 2km of the road to get to Villa Lena are not very comfortable as they are not paved nicely

Good
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children