B&B Demetra Appartamenti

The apartment has potential and a few positives—the balcony is the highlight and the location is excellent, just a short walk from Lecce’s old town. There’s also a charming bar below with a speakeasy vibe and great music, which we enjoyed as our only form of entertainment during the stay. However, this rental has some serious issues that made our stay uncomfortable. The biggest problem was the beds. A traveler needs a comfortable mattress to rest after long days, and these were terrible—thin, springy, and somewhat gross. The couch is no better: old, worn out, and so uncomfortable you could feel the springs through the sheet covering it. The kitchen had a strong musty odor and needs a full renovation. Lighting throughout the apartment is poor, especially in the bathroom where it’s very dim. One pillow didn’t have a pillowcase, and overall, the quality of the bedding was questionable. While the apartment was generally clean, the atmosphere was gloomy, and no one greeted us or provided instructions upon arrival. There were some informational materials, but none in English. A smart TV would have gone a long way in making downtime more enjoyable. Also, the configuration of the beds felt awkward and carrying luggage up the narrow spiral staircase to the loft was quite difficult—some kind of pulley system would really help. The listing photos are accurate in terms of what you see, but they can’t show you how uncomfortable the furniture is, how the kitchen smells, or how dark the lighting is. With some minimal but smart changes—especially replacing the mattresses, improving the configuration, upgrading the lighting, adding a smart TV, and deep cleaning or remodeling the kitchen—this place could be vastly improved and even become a desirable rental. As it is, it’s not restful or comfortable, which is a shame given its potential.